Names

[Ryan]

The first name I'm currently using I use with both my parents and therapist, and is similar to my given name which I thought would be easier for not only myself, but for other people as well (parents, siblings, etc). What I'm not sure about though, is if I should change my name again (or change the order of my name). Use Ryan as a first and move the name I've been using to the middle spot, or keep it as is and use Ryan as a middle and go with _. Ryan. I'm not sure if I want to change anything because my parents have become used to my chosen first name. I'm not too concerned about changing it with my therapist or anyone else, but if my parents have become used to it, I don't know if I want to change it. 
 

I could always do _. Ryan.

How many people go by their middle names? 

[Jackie C.]

Well, Jackie is my middle name (well, Jacqueline). I don't really use it day to day though. Usually people who do that dislike their given name for some reason. One of the nice things about choosing your own name though is the opportunity to get it right and pick one that really says something about you. One that really fits.

 

If you want to change your name because Ryan doesn't really fit, I'd say you should do it. Your transition isn't about pleasing other people. It's about feeling comfortable with yourself.

 

Hugs!

[Mx.Drago]

As a person who has dealt with as many names as somebody who spent hours of their exsistence, alphabetizing people's names for paper records and files. Your name is yours, whatever it maybe. Some cultures have extremely interesting specific structuring to their names. There be some that have really, really long, long names, cuz with each lineage they add a name. Some Asian cultures use a regular name and an occasionally used name, referred to as the "bad name." My partner is Asian American, but has his official name, the "bad name," and a different name that everybody calls him by.

Drago is a name I've been using since I started this internet stuff. Though I use it more like a last name, then a first or middle name. I stick with my original first name, because it's my name and I don't feel myself needing to change it, plus most people call me by the short version of it which is very gender neutral. My middle name, I want to just remove the last two letters and stick with that. For the everyday person it be, Mx. Chris Aman Drago, but on paper a course it be far more expansive cuz my real last name is a crime against humanity cuz it doesn't fit on forms easily. My official state ID only had my first name as C, as well as cards and other stuff. Some straight butcher the name. But your name is still your name, so don't worry about what other people think or feel about your name. It's your name and what you want to be called.