Names

[Chen Yukira]

Just a question, for anyone here who has transitioned or is thinking about transitioning.

As I start this journey, I suddenly found myself with an impending question; what would my name be, when I manage to fully come out as transgendered as I plan to? It was suddenly a worrying prospect, because I of course want to choose the perfect name that fits me. So, I wanted to ask you guys, how did you go about finding a name? Was it a name you always liked, was it recommended to you, or did it just come to you one day? This is all kind of new to me, so any advice at all would help..

[Jani]

For me my first name is feminine so no change but I chose to keep my middle name and feminize it. It all works and I don't have to think too much when I have to sign any documents. Other than that, pick something you are comfortable with, would have been a name from the era you where born in, and isn't so "odd" as to draw attention to yourself.

Cheers,

Jani

[Ravin]

I chose my first name, which is gender neutral, because it was a nickname I've used my entire adult life and particularly suited me. My given first name at birth was gender neutral as well, and I could have chosen to just change the spelling of it, but I had religious/spiritual reasons for going with the name I chose instead. For my middle name, I followed the same pattern my parents used to pick my original middle name along with those of my siblings (a family/deceased relative's name), but chose a male relative whose name I liked rather than the female name my parents had chosen for me.

[StephanieVikingGirl]

I thought about what name that I would like to have as a woman for most of my life, however, ultimately I chose to go with my original choice as a kid: Stephanie. For my middle name I decided to go with a go with a pretty name which also is the name of a very pretty sports car: Elise. I like that my initials spell SEA, since I love being out on the ocean and at the beach, lol.

hugs,

Stephanie Elise A.

[Guest Alicia Rose]

Take a piece of paper and practice writing names. Find something that sounds like, or begins with the same first letter as your birth name. Just as a starting point. Imagine inside your head, someone talking about you or to you and think about which names they say.. "How are you, Michelle?" "Alicia, you wanna hang out?" "Hailey, let's play a game!" "Ashley, let's cosplay!"

Those are some things I've tried. Those are actually the names I've personally felt most attached too, but think I have an idea on which one fits me best.

You could also try finding a feminine version of your birth name or simply browse online for popular girl names that use the same first letter. Write the ones you like down and see if anything stands out. If you ever have an opportunity, you could ask your parents what they would have named you, if things were different. When I was a child, I asked because I was curious and my mom said she was going to name me Bambi. Sounds like I would always be destined to change my name eventually.

[Chen Yukira]

Thank you guys for all of the great advice!~ I did end up finally choosing my name using some of the advice in this thread, and I couldn't be happier!~