I always feel a bit embarrassed introducing myself.

[Artpetal]

Hi, and thanks for having me here. I'm transfeminine. Although I knew I wasn't a boy from a young age - I think I was 8 years old - I have been slow to transition because of family prejudice. But I am proud of who I am. I am so thrilled with the medical possibilities we have today and every time I hear about a transwoman taking advantage of them, whether it's a pop star like Kim Petras or a new friend I meet, I'm over the moon for them. I'm on estrogen and I wouldn't change that for the world.

 

I have never settled on a name, meaning I go by my birth name, Breslin, which is actually comfortably androgynous as it is. I've switched in my head from one very definitely feminine name to the next over and over: Alyssa, Ashley, Chastity, Melissa, and more.

[Mmindy]

1 hour ago, Artpetal said:

I have never settled on a name, meaning I go by my birth name, Breslin, which is actually comfortably androgynous as it is. I've switched in my head from one very definitely feminine name to the next over and over: Alyssa, Ashley, Chastity, Melissa, and more.

It's good to meet you,

You're in a safe place here, and can figure out your name of choice as you progress through time.

Like you, I knew at a preteen age, that I should have been a girl. Now here I am full blown senior citizen and working my way through transition. 

 

Best wishes, stay positive, and safe,

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[Jani]

Seeing that your name could go either way is a benefit.  Not changing your name has some advantages to it.  Not having to go to court for a name change decree (unless you want to change a middle name).  No need to change bank accounts, medical records, driving license, vehicle titles, school records, etc.  Changing (or correcting) your gender marker is super easy.  I didn't change my name.  

[Elizabeth Star]

Hi @Artpetal.

I know the struggle with finding a name. I probably had a good 25 on my list. It wasn't until I was asked when I made my first appointment for HRT that I decided. Elizabeth was not even on the list, it just slipped out. A year and a half later I made it legal and love it.

[Audrey]

Hi @Artpetal, it is nice to meet you and welcome to the forums. It is totally okay if you are feeling undecided about a name right now. Like Jani said, there are advantages to not changing it from both a social and legal perspective especially if you are feeling comfortable with your name. You might feel later that a different name reflects who you are better and that is okay too. I think that if feminine names seem to resonate for you, that could be telling you something. But there is no hurry to act on it. In my case, my dead name is very obviously masculine and I associate it with all of the very dark times in my life. So it absolutely had to go. I knew for a very long time I wanted to be called Audrey. The name always spoke to me - the sound, how classically feminine it is, the association with Audrey Hepburn, its meaning "noble strength." I first started using it online years ago, and now I use and react to my name as though I have been called Audrey since forever. I am so excited to legally change my name next month and finally have my ID and everything else reflect that!

 

Love,

~Audrey.

[MirandaB]

My birth name is traditionally a more male one, but spelled oddly *thanks Mom* so it kinda works. I have been pondering a new one for a year and a half after self accepting and still haven't come up with one. Have been using Rhonda online for years now and it does feel a little like a name I'd answer to but still not convinced that it's the answer. 

[Timber Wolf]

Hi Artpedal,

Welcome to Transpulse. I'm glad you're here!

 

Lots of love and a big welcome hug,

Timber Wolf🐾

[Guest]

If this helps, Gabriel is my new middle name. I’ve used it for years and even considered it for my first name. It’s androgynous and besides, I took it from a musician whose music carried me through many difficult times, Peter Gabriel.

 

I always liked my birth name so I decided to feminize it by adding an “A” to the end. The only hiccup is it’s often hard to tell when people get it wrong.

 

Be patient and easy on yourself. 

[CJ0819]

If I decide to transition I am leaning towards Alison or Rebecca.

[Ivy]

I dislike my birth name, and only use it for "official" type things.

"Jandi" is a sort of combination of the birth name and what I went by for years. (and most know me by). But I'm still not sure about making it official/legal.  It's not bad but it was kinda bestowed on me and there is some baggage with it.

I'm really leaning toward "Ivy" but in this state you can only change one time.  So I want to be totally sure - if that's even possible.

[KathyLauren]

It took me a while to decide on a new name.  So, the referral for hormones from my first therapist used my dead name: "<Deadname> is a transgender woman..."  When I saw that, a wave of dysphoria told me to get a move on.

 

Years ago, I was experimenting with female names that I could use for without changing my signature significantly.  (I should have paid attention to that as a clue!  🙄 )  Anyway, Kathy worked.  (Hint: the consonants were the same.)  So I thought about it and thought, Why not?  The advantages were: my signature stayed almost the same; the sound was similar enough (people accidentally starting to dead-name me could correct themselves after starting with minimal consequences); it was unlikely ever to be mistaken for a male name; and it was common in my birth year.

 

For a middle name, I used a feminization of my dead middle name.

 

Choosing a name is an intensely personal decision.  Take your time and pick one that fits.  An online forum like this is a good place to try out names to see how they fit.  The admins here are good about changing your screen name if you ask them nicely.

 

Regards,

Kathy