I began associating the name Barbara with my female side in the '80s (story in the sticky). What cemented it was years of using that name in chat rooms. Even though I am not out, for me it is very natural to be addressed as Barbara when dressed and it would feel very strange to be called by my male name or even think of myself as that name when dressed.
Last edited by BarbDriscoll; 11-01-2014 at 11:47 AM.
I chose the feminine of my male name. If I had been born as a female I would have been named Stephanie after my maternal grandmother who was Stefi (European). My mother was totally stuck on naming her kids after her parents. My older brother has my grandfather's name and grandmother's name as his middle name. So, you have a son who has both of your parents' names, so you give your second son the first name that has already been used as a middle name? Creative thinking? A decade later mom had a daughter. You guessed it. Daughter has mom's mother's name.
So, when I joined this forum I decided to co-opt my sister's name, which really belonged to me in the first place. I suspect she would not mind if she knew since I was suppose to be named that to begin with. We live on opposite ends of the country, so there is almost no chance of her ever meeting her name sake.
I thought about using a female spin off of my middle name, which thank the heavens is not a family name. I couldn't figure any out. I guess I could have created some bizarre name which seems to be common these days. But, I'm a girl of the 1950's and 1960's when tradition prevailed.
I think the name should match the presentation, so I chose Nikki as it's similar to my male name. However those who know me well often slip up and say Victoria or Vikki, since that is the feminine version of my male name. Either way I really don't mind.
Bree Wynonna R__________ is what I go by. I prefer to be called Wynonna, but when I present a bank card, or when the class roll call comes up Brian, I'm like, Oh, That's Bree-an, give the I an E sound... But, Bree for short....Originally Posted by Sonya
For me it really doesn't make all that much difference which name someone address me with. I am comfortable with who I am.
I do think the name is an important signal to those we are communicating with. I think it may make others more comfortable communicating with me either on line or in person when the name matches the presentation and or the mindset (mindset may not be the best choice of word). In the case of talking to someone on-line I think other CDers are more comfortable chatting with someone named Seana than someone named Sean or George. Even I get a little creeped out of if someone named George contacts me to complement me on my hair...... but not so much if someone named Suzan makes the same remark.
As far as meeting new people. I am more likely to introduce myself as Seana rather than Sean if my presentation indicates I am a CD.
I do think it is important for every CDer to be conscious about privacy and safty, and I would not blame anyone that wanted to have a completely separate name and identity for this aspect of their life (that is not a recommendation to hide from the World). The world is a far from perfect place, we can not change every corner of it all at once, yes we need to move forward but we as individuals must be careful.
My given name is unequivocally male, so I use a different name when referring to my femme self. It's a useful shorthand when talking with people who know me as male and also know my femme side. My given male name just doesn't "go" with how I feel and how I present myself en femme, so a different name works better in that case. I'm gradually coming to feel like that is also my name. Either way, it's me, just different aspects.
This is the only place so far where I have selected a female name: DeeAnn. However, it came 'way after I joined here and I have not been motivated to change my username. As no one has used that face to face, I don't how I would react. Perhaps if I interacted more with other TG people on a social basis, using DeeAnn would be more appropriate. If I met someone for the first time and I was completely dressed, I would probably tell them both names. Otherwise, what would they call me if I were not dressed at some point?
It is odd sometimes how things work. I selected DeeAnn specifically due to a connection with motorsports. But, what I came to realize much later was that it is also a bridge between these 2 parts of me (male and female) that make up the whole.
So far, I have not really been concerned about privacy. I use the same username on other CD, LGBT, car and motorsports sites. Actually, there is someone on here who PM'ed some time back as they remembered me from a motorsports forum. While I am not running around and telling folks, I'm not particularly hiding either. That requires a lot of extra effort to keep your stories and explanations consistent. I just choose not to invest in that...
Billie is The female versión of my first name and I added Jean to give it a southern quality.Like a few others I lurked here for a while and when I joined I picked my feminine name. Billie Jean
I use my femme name whenever I present femme, and sometimes I'm even referred to by my femme name in guy mode.
Luv andJill
Straight, into Fantasy Land
1. Yes....I like having a female name...and i dont mind being addressed as that ( it sounds like a fancy sports car)
2. I knew before I started dressing again after my purge what my name was going to be, it was stuck in my head
3. I dont use my birth name upon meeting others, although alot of my close cd friends know my real name but that comes with time and trust, they have also either seen me in person in drab, or pictures.
4. My real name actually could be either a boy or a girls name, so I went with something different cause it just made it more fun for me. I keep it private until people are not strangers anymore. When you meet people in person, and the online persona becomes a reality, relationships are taken to a whole new level.
I've answered this one before. I always liked the name Anne and think it is very feminine. I've been Anne a long time now and I hope it pretty much describes me now.
I played with Google and decided Bridget was a good fit. Most of my online personas go by Bridget and I would likely answer to it in RL
Last edited by bridget thronton; 11-02-2014 at 01:03 PM.
1 - Yes I like having a female name while dressed and yes I prefer to be addressed as such.
2 - Hmm... Only for communication purposes? Maybe. Yes it makes it easier, but I also like the idea of it.
3 - Nope, I never use my birth name while dressed. It is male, and would be odd to use.
4 - Kind of I suppose. I am not interested in being fully out, especially online. It would make work a bit more complex than I would like.
Okay so.... with all of that being said. I am not always 100% comfortable with using my fem name. I think it is obvious to others when I use Nadine, it does not roll off my tongue with the same ease and familiarity that my birth name does. It is getting better, but I think it will take time for me to use it and for others to accept it readily.
Sarah was also my first namewhen I joined this forum, like many of the replies I never really thought much about a female name seriously until I decided to join here and also started to go out dressed and meet others in the community. Then I had to choose a last name to join facebook
I also agree with Zylia that my chosen name is more of a practical tool more than anything. As I use Sonya more maybe I will get used to it more.
Thanks a lot for everyone's responses
Respect and peace to all...
Yes, no, no,no.
It is only early days for you, get used to it and it will become second nature to you.
Work on your elegance,
and beauty will follow.
1. I love having a female name when dressed and I love to hear it.
2. I have a full female name which feels infinitely more comfortable than hearing my male name while dressed. It is not only for that purpose though.
3. I never use my birth name but if someone I meet as Beth then meets me in male mode I will give them my male name as it feels equally odd to use my female name when not dressed.
4. Nope, purely as part of the way I am presenting. Most of my friends know both names.
I used to be annoyed when people asked if my given name was feminine. After a while I became comfortable with the question. Now I think that it's a really great name. I can use it, and do use it, regardless whether I am dressed or not.
As far as privacy goes: out of respect for my wife, I am not about to make a general disclosure. However, I am comfortable with my gender expression. It would not bother me a great deal if someone discovered it. That will probably happen some day anyhow.
Best wishes
MsVal
AKA: Val
1. Yes, I like having a typical feminine name. I wasn't very comfortable when I first used Savannah around others, but now it is what prefer when I am dressed or online. I guess a more feminine name did not really affect me too much internally but, just around others. It may be feel like an outsider at first or just different.
2. Although it does help make communication easier, I have always felt a more feminine name was more appropriate for me and overall makes things less complicated
3. No, if I am presenting a feminine expression, it just feels more complete to use Savannah.
4. Yes, I use the female name to protect my privacy. I'm not ready to come out to too many people yet, but I use it for other reasons as well.
In my case the only person who sees me dressed is my wife, and I don't use a female name with her. She sometimes calls me or refers to my dressing using the Spanish feminine form of my birth name, but it is her pet name for me and my female side, rather than a second female name I use.
Some store clerks that I have gotten to know somewhat well while buying women's clothes for myself have asked me for my name. I tell them both my male birth name and Evelyn, and leave it up to them to decide. Some use my male name, some use Evelyn, and I like either one the same while shopping.
Good question.
Yes, I've found that I love being addressed by my fem name when en femme. But is my name typical? lol
No I don't think communication is the only reason. It also feels congruent with the presentation.
No, I'd rather not divulge my real name until I get to know someone.
Yes, that's another reason.
I'd also feel weird if someone called me Ressie when I'm in my usual male mode, unless it was another CD that knows me.
"You're the only one to see the changes you take yourself through", Stevie Wonder
I do like to be addressed with a feminine name and feminine pronouns. I feminized my name.
I lovehaving a female name. And I love the name Angie. Here is the only place I really use it, My wife never has used it.
Angie
Just be yourself and you will be fine Sonya. I've had several names over the years which change as I evolve as a person. My current one on here is Kate, easy to remember. My club persona is Ericka which I've had for years. Works for me Hon.
Second star to the right and straight on till morning
I hadn't even thought about a female name until I started reading these forums. When I decided to create and account and needed user name I pondered it for a few minutes. The television happened to be on and what program was on ... The Bionic Woman ... and the lead character is Jamie Sommers. It seemed like an omen ... so I decided on Jamie for a name and OcassionallyJamie as user name. (Since I'm only occasionally Jamie).
My name came from my real middle name but this version is of course spelled in a feminine way.
Don't know why I didn't think of it sooner because I've used other names before
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