Name Change? Aaah I don't know

[tjyulick]

Hi, I have been exploring my gender, and I combined by current name to create a more androgynous one, TJ. I use this name online when there's none of my family or many I people I know seeing it. I told my girlfriend that I like the idea of using TJ, and they were extremely supportive, but I kind of brushed it off because I felt weird because I have a lot of internalized trans opinions that I really wish would just go away. There is nothing wrong with wanting to try out a new name so I don't know why I am so scared of it. Anyways, what should I do to try to be confident enough to refer to myself as Tj, and how do I bring it up to my friends? They would all be really supportive, but I don't know really how to start that conversation. 

[tracy_j]

I found it a bit strange using a new name too. It really seems like a big step. Perhaps more than it really is. I do wonder as my 'new name' is completely different than the old one. When I explored combining the two the results were less satisfactory. Maybe it is that people more obviously make the link backward but with a completely different name it's less so.

 

Tracy

[Davie]

Yes. One very small change for me, but then a whole different point of view comes up.

I've recently changed from David to Davie but I'm not sure my name will stay like that.

Just trying it on. (Maybe this should be in the What Are You Wearing Today forum?)

But I'm trying to take some ease with this whole process and not rush things.

Change can be good. Hang in there.

 

Hugs, Davie

 

(Maybe Beelzebub for next month? ?

[Heather Shay]

Name change is so individual. The name Shay came to me in the 1980's and I like the name a lot because I'd never heard it used until recently but several of my Trans friends prefer Heather and I like that and I was trying to see if Michelle would fit and make it easier for my wife but she hasn't grown enough in my transition to even consider a different name - she has at least stopped calling me "Mr. insert surname here" and I kind of like that too but when all is said and done I've had to let the name grow on me and I decided on Heather Michelle for legal change and Shay as a nick name.

I've asked the question from several trans how they got their name - some knew right away, some actually had their spouse come up with it,some indicated the new name was what their mother would have used if they were physical born the other sex, some just slightly changed their old name and some didn't change their name at all.

 

What all seemed to have in common is to try out a name and give it time and then over time decide if it fits or if another name picks you.

 

So you see - no steadfast rules - do what feels right for you and you don't have to pick and not change your mind. I think people are willing to let you feel comfortable with a name or a change - that's been my experience.