why the female name?

[Mink]

for those that do not want to be a woman and are happy being a man... i never understood this need to have a femme name? ... i'm talking the people who say they are the same whether dressed or not... that they are always THEM and not adopting some new persona or acting differently... well mostly i mean!

i can kinda see if you are going out and about and had to introduce yourself... would be kinda weird to say "i'm BILL!" or something...

but still it was a shock to me when i first came here long ago that it seemed like 99% have some sort of female moniker!

i've toyed with a few names (Erica / Adriana / Erin) but it never felt right to me...

also how extensive is it?

to the people that do it

do they ever change their name or have a last and middle name

maybe even have a background story where you grew up etc (just kidding... but how is that really all that far removed? hehe!)

[darla_g]

its all for fun in my mind. I know some that might even be upset if those around them call them by the incorrect pronoun. Around here especially its just an interesting way to be addressed since most people don't use their real name anyway.

[S. Lisa Smith]

When I'm dressed (or on here) I am Sally Lisa Smith, but I like my middle name better so I'm S. Lisa Smith, but you can call me Lisa...

[Zylia]

True story: I needed a user name for this forum and picking a female name sounded like a good idea at the time. I could have used my real unmistakably male name or some gender-neutral word, but alas, it's already too late. I actually never thought about picking a name until I needed one here.

[Wildaboutheels]

Undoubtedly, it is simply a "coping mechanism" for many. Our Human brains do this daily in all kinds of situations, that we are mostly unaware of. There is absolutely no reason why CDing would be any different than all the other data our brains deal with daily.

[Brittany CD]

Good question. I find it's just for fun so I can have some other name to go by when I'm dressed up. I'd be freaked out if people did start calling me Brittany

[paulaprimo]

kinda funny too me. you understand the need to dress...so why is it that far of a stretch to have a femme name? :)

[Jenniferathome]

For me is it simply incongruous to have a male name with a female image. If my name was gender neutral, I would not have adopted a name. Make no mistake, my female nickname is just that. It is not another personality.

[Rachael Leigh]

For me it's about how I feel and look when dressed. I just don't think a male name can go with my look.
I use to call myself a different name before I came here and many here know I just recently changed to a female name here.
I actually use the fem version of my middle name. Since I do feel I'm pretty much the same in male or female mode it seemed best for me.

[Candice Mae]

<--- Try and call me by a male name, I dare you!

Even though I'm TS now, calling my self by a male name when dressed in the past just felt wrong. Kind of like calling a dog by saying "here kitty kitty...." I've always been the same person, clothes have never changed me.

[Karren H]

Its the name that's always been stuck deep inside my head name plus its what my mother was going to call me if I were born a girl....

[Abbygirl]

All just part of the fantasy for me. I always thought "Abby" was just a cute name. What I really had a hard time with was coming up with a LAST name for gmail, pinterest, etc.

[linda allen]

I think sitting here in a wig, boobs, padded panties, etc. and calling myself "George" or "Bruce" would be pretty silly.

"Linda" is the name I would have had if I had been born a female. "Allen" is an old family name.

[Kate Simmons]

My name evolves as I do as a person. I have a first, middle and last female name. To me it all fits in with what I'm trying to accomplish which in my case is mostly to have fun.:battingeyelashes::)

[Tracii G]

I find it odd not to use a female name.

[kimdl93]

I would put myself in the column with those who would find it incongruous to present as a woman and use a man's name. However, my name is a constant, because Kimberly is my given name.

[Jenni Yumiko]

Only have the jennialy name cause my wife and I needed a name to speak of when the kids are around or out and about.
I personally feel like I'm the same person no matter how I'm dressed and don't see the point of calling myself some alias.

[Lucy_Bella]

For those who remember Lucy Bella was not my original name on here ( I got this name from my pets) ..My original name was offense to many members here and after a brief time of being away I changed it to were it wasn't as controversial ..

[Miriam-J]

For me it's a practical matter. On this forum and in the support group, it matches expectations and reduces unneeded questions. When I'm in public gal mode, it's a lot better for my wife to call out Miriam than my guy name.

But it doesn't change the fact that I'm still me - the guy with the guy name. In private settings with my wife and those friends who are in the know, that's still the name that we use.

Miriam

[Leyna]

This begs the question: why are names sexualized at all? I am in the camp of "I am always me, whether dressed or not." But I can't be ALL of me, because I am a contradiction. (I bet you are too, btw.) When I dress, I get to express another part of me. The name is a natural extension of that expression. But the truth is, while I am always "me," I am not always Leyna. Sometimes I'm John. Sometimes I'm Dad. Sometimes I'm a child. But these aren't different personalities; they are just different aspects of me. Why do my kids call me "Dad"? Why don't they just call me John? Well, b/c, to them, I'm not John (or Leyna); I'm Dad.

[Barbara Dugan]

When I was a kid, One of my favorites things to do was go to the neighborhood cinema really early before the feature film's beginning just to listen to the 70's music they played before the films, I was poor and It was the only way I could listen to stereo sound.
I remember there was a voice on a song that I loved the most and I asked one adult who the artist was and he told me she was ''Barbara Streisand'' just to remind this was on LatinAmerica and it was the first time I heard from her ....so Barbara always stuck on my mind since then.

[Aaron Zwidling]

I can't imagine having a female name as I feel like exactly the same person whether dressed or not.

[Suzanne F]

Suzanne has been dying to get out for so long. I had been pushing her away. I am the same person just more authentic now.
Hugs
Suzanne

[Taylor186]

I crossdressed for forty years--in the closet--and never felt the need for or had a female name. Then internet forums came along and everything changed.

[jaye_cd]

When I was growing up, everyone called me by my nickname, 'J'. I just put a feminine twist/spelling to it and it sorta stuck with me.

[lingerieLiz]

I didn't think that Lingerie Harry sounded very good when I signed up.

[michelle45]

Just feels normal to refer to my fem side as Michelle vs Bob (made up name)!! Always liked the name Michelle so Michelle it is!!:)

[SamGreen]

Sam was the nick name my Mom has used since I can remember. It seemed to fit just fine. As someone has already stated, when dressed the part, the name should kinda reflect.

[Michelle Wright]

Just feels normal to refer to my fem side as Michelle vs Bob (made up name)!! Always liked the name Michelle so Michelle it is!!:)

Haha, same here, except that my name isn't Bob.

[Dani0948]

Never had a female name until I found this site. Most here had a female name, so I decided to create a name derived from my male name.

[mykell]

lurked for a day, everyone else had one, didn't want to break what seemed the protocol of the forum.
glad they weren't jumping off a bridge that day ....

[MissTee]

It's my way of acknowledging the female part of me. And it's fun.

[AimeeG]

Most people cant say my "real" name correctly anyway, so it never meant much too me. The military gave me lots of names (Seaman, cooky, Chief, Senior, Master Chief) and some a better left unsaid. For once I got to pick what I wanted to be called, always had crushes on "Christ" girls (Christine x3, Chrystal, Kris, Kristen) and Amy's. Last name came from my Mom's seconds husband whom I never got along with...threw my Mom for a loop when I told her, especially since she's divorced. I don't use a middle name, probably because I don't like my real one!

[AmyGaleRT]

I understand what you mean...I've sort of always felt that I should have a girl's name when I was dressed, even before I worked out the conception of myself as having a part-female soul. And yes, I worked out a complete name...using my maternal grandmother's maiden name for a last name and taking the name of the original Second Life mesh avatar for a middle name. For some time, I used a first name that was a variant of my middle name, making my complete name "Jaymie Ruth Tapie." However, in a conversation with my mother, I learned that she had always wanted to use the names "Amy Gale" for a daughter, but she never had one, only three sons. It felt right that I, as her eldest, should take that name and give it a home at last. So "Amy Gale Ruth Tapie" I became, and Amy I shall remain. (I practice signing my femme name occasionally, too.)

I would only legally change my name if I were to actually transition, and it would probably be to that, or possibly substitute my original last name for my femme one.

- Amy

[donnalee]

When I first came across this site, I looked at the poster's names - so - When in Rome...... Besides, it's more fun this way!

[Jennifer Kelly]

When I used to dress back in HS, I never had a female name. I only dressed at home with no one else there so there was really no need.

When I started dressing again almost a year ago, I found this forum and needed a name to fit in. I went with the first and middle names I would have had if born a girl. Not very creative, I know, but it works. And if I ever do decide to go out dressed, I can't exactly use my male name.

[marshalynn]

My mother told me she wanted to name me lucy lou if I had been born a girl, don't like this name, told her so......

[Amanda_P]

Because when I get dressed I'm not John anymore. John has all these problems. I put on my bra and John is no longer around. Amanda Peters is here. She doesn't have the problems John has so why would I call her anything but Amanda.

[SamGreen]

Now that is a great observation Amanda. CDing has always been a pressure valve or an escape for me.

[Marcelle]

I don't really have a female name at all . . . still deciding on one. The name Isha is Hebrew and means woman. I may just stay with this name or go with a name . . . still trying to figure this one out.

Hugs

Isha

[Shar]

How can you be a female persona with a male name. Did anyone ever hear of a woman named Morris?

Take it from another Jewish girl,ISHA is a beautiful name.

[Annaliese]

I went to a Conference in Denver years ago, when some one ask what name am I going by, I said call me Ann, my mother felt she was going to have a girl so Ann was to be my name. I change it to Anna a few years latter, then I change it to Annaliese for the last time, and I got it out of a Barbie move.

[Beverley Sims]

Reminds me of a song,
"My girl Bill." :)

[ColetteB]

If my memory is correct, it started for me with emails to my GF while I was traveling. The longer I was away from home, the more we missed each other. But I also started missing my fem clothes too! So as the emails got hotter, we started into some girl-on-girl fantasy stories to turn each other on. Well, my real name wasn't gonna fly if we're writing about two women frolicking in a private gym shower, so I felt like I needed a woman's name.

I wrote about this in a different post, but I'm half-french, and really have a thing for female bodybuilders. One of my favourites is Colette Nelson. So I came up with Colette Beaufort. My longtime muscle-lady crush, and a corruption of my real last name. Colette Beautiful-Strong! :-)

Mikell: Even though the video link is gone, I'm pretty sure I learned how to walk in heels from watching that Simpsons episode!

[Aly Cat]

True story: I needed a user name for this forum and picking a female name sounded like a good idea at the time. I could have used my real unmistakably male name or some gender-neutral word, but alas, it's already too late. I actually never thought about picking a name until I needed one here.

Ive always loved the name Eva (pronounced Ava) Lynn and had always told myself that if I ever had a daughter, that is what her name would be. Well, when I joined this site, like Zylia, I needed a name. I have basically adopted that name for myself...at least here. Sadly, afterwards, I found out that that name is also the name of a porn star which totally ruined it for me but alas...Im stuck with it here. When I transition though, my legal name will be changed to Kelly Ava. It keeps my initials the same and I really like the sound of it. Ill still be going by Ava though. It seems fitting since I am currently named after the first man in the Bible. After I transition, Ill be named after the derivative of the first woman. Fitting I think. :)

[Kate's at home]

Regardless of where and how one sees themself on the CD spectrum, I can't imagine at least some aspects of TG experience (denied maybe...) once the threshold is crossed. A name taken is only one aspect of this process. The conversations here demonstrate it.

My name is taken from my grandmother. I'm told I'm alot like her, even though she died only months after I was born. It's a way to honor her, and, I've always liked the name.

Kate

[Dianne S]

I never picked a female name until I went to a CD support group. I introduced myself using my male name and everyone said "Well, that won't do!". I picked "Dawn" because it starts with the same letter as my male name and was the first name that popped into my head. I didn't like the name very much at first, but it's grown on me now and I'm used to it.

[Jocelyn Quivers]

Why have a female name on a website devoted mainly to male to female cross dressing, along with various TG and TS topics? To put it simply, when in Rome do as the Romans do!

[JessicaKasey]

I chose Jessica from the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, for obvious reasons. The Name Kasey came from my very first kiss.

[reb.femme]

......................................i can kinda see if you are going out and about and had to introduce yourself... would be kinda weird to say "i'm BILL!" or something.........

Hi Mink,

I like using my girl name for the very reason you identified above. I also go out occasionally and like to practice my femme form in the best way possible, so it's all part of the art form for me in a way. I can't do things half ar@3ed so I try, if not successfully, to do things to the best of my ability.

I've set up my own website as Rebecca Lauren Woods, currently updating the first page, have 2 email accounts and twitter to boot. All of these will eventually be added to my web as time allows for this Xmas Grinch. I've even had cards made up with Vistaprint to hand out locally (should anyone desperately want one, once they've met me).

Rebecca Lauren Woods - South London T-Girl and proud

[Mink]

Never had a female name until I found this site. Most here had a female name, so I decided to create a name derived from my male name.


lurked for a day, everyone else had one, didn't want to break what seemed the protocol of the forum. ....

see i wonder how many were just giving into the peer pressure!

[katssun]

Because it would feel weird to address or introduce myself with a male name when in femme. Continuing to use a male name just raises more questions as far as I see it. It's about the challenge of trying to pass.

I chose a fairly "normal" name albeit with an uncommon spelling with that little extra 'h', but it's been one that has been bumping around in my head for years.

- Kathrina "Kat" [redacted :D]

[Dana M]

Needed a Name to use here so went with my rockband avatars name Dana.

[autogirl]

a female name to feel more feminine

[Jodi]

I'm one of those that feels the same whether dressed or not. I go out to many venues dressed and meet many people.

It's difficult when dressed femme to introduce yourself saying "Hi, my name is Butch". Much easier to use a femme name.

Jodi

[NicoleScott]

My parents wanted a girl but got a boy, so they named me Nicole.
Just kidding - all the other valid reasons have aready been stated.

[Sarasometimes]

I needed one since most of the times I go out dressed I'm heading for some salon treatment so I needed a name that fit my appearance. I also find it to be disconcerting when I'm dressed and I'm addressed with a male pronoun. Sort of kills the mood!

[Crissy Kay]

It just seems "normal" to look at myself in the mirror and think that I am looking at Crissy.

[tiffanyjo89]

TL;DR on the thread, but in reply to the first post: the female name for many people, myself included, is an "avatar" of sorts. If you're into gaming/internet related stuff you'll better understand it.

[Sophie Yang]

Mink,

There is something about the human condition that wants to exam and explain away discontinuity. For example, if one is looking out at a perfectly still snow covered landscape the eye takes in the whole landscape. However, if something moves, the discontinuity, the eye involuntarily focuses in on the movement. Same thing with sound. If one is in a perfectly quiet room, the brain doesn't focus in on the normal background noise. If conditioned enough, the ears don't conscientiously pick the rumbling of train passing by. But something out of the ordinary, say the breaking of a window or the noise of dripping water between the walls, the ears pick up on the sound. Both of these are evolutionary survival traits.

Put the two together, sight and sound, when out and about trying to blend in, not from your perspective, but that of the viewer/listener. If one presents reasonably well, one can mingle without drawing a lot of attention. If one is over the top, the discontinuity draws attention. Same thing with the name. If one presents well and is introduced with a feminine name, usually not a problem and no additional scrutiny. However, if one is introduced with a non-ambiguous male name that only draws attention and additional scrutiny to oneself. If one does a self introduction with a booming deep bass voice, mingling unnoticed is out of the question.

“The Boy Named Sue” – Johnny Cash

[nervedisc]

How do you find out your female name?

[Valerie1973]

Valerie was going to be my name had I been born a girl. But its just part of the fun. So how about turning yourself into a symbol like Prince?

[Nadine Spirit]

I mentioned this thread's topic to my wife while we were out shopping and I was dressed as a girl. She laughed and said "well it would be pretty weird to call you by your male name right now."

[Jaymees22]

Ms. Mink, Who would use there real name on the internet? Not me, so I came up with one use here and a few other places for my girl self.

[daphne g]

only after joining forums like this did i realise i need a fem name
and chose daphne ?? as a kid me and my sister would play a lot together including dressing up
but thats a different story , and for some reason she called me daphne
might have been from scooby doo but I'm not sure
ive also got 2 brothers ,who i used to work with and one of the other guys at work also called me daphne
i don't know why and never thought to ask ,i didn't know that my brothers knew that name
to be honest id rather have different name ,but wouldn't that be cheating?
happy christmas