If you want your name to blend in, choose something common and classic, like Joseph, William, Mary, or Elizabeth. If you want your name to stand out, choose something less traditional. [1] X Research source
Choose a color that you’ve always liked, such as Rose, Indigo, Scarlett, or Emerald. Don’t be afraid to choose something that isn’t traditionally used as a person name, like Blue, Topaz, Cinnabar, or Vermilion. Draw inspiration from a plant. Choose a flower for your name, like Lily, Daisy, Belladonna, or Aster. [2] X Research source Use an herb or spice, like Sage, Pepper, or Basil. Try using a tree, like Magnolia, Aspen, Willow, Ivy, Peach, Juniper, or Pippin. Borrow your name from a piece of the world that speaks to you, like River, Mountain, Cloud, Rain, Autumn, Blossom, Boulder, Moonshine, Dawn, Ravine, Fog, or Flight. Name yourself after an animal (Bear, Fox, or Badger) or a place (London, Kili, or Sequoia). [3] X Research source Adopt a word or idea that you find particularly lovely, like Morning, Serenity, Cellar, Yonder. August, Aura, Apricot, or Joy. Follow your heart. You can name yourself anything!
Consider changing your name to that of a family member who did something brave or good. This can get confusing if they’re still alive, so you may want to talk to them about it first. [4] X Research source
Visit http://www. namenerds. com/uucn/advice/family. html and scroll down to either the “Girls’ Names into Boys’ Names” heading or the “Boys’ Names into Girls’ Names” heading. If your original name is on the list, check for any common masculine or feminine forms. Examples for trans women: Paul to Paula, George to Georgia, James to Jamie, Daniel to Danielle, Michael to Michelle or Michaela/Mikayla, or Andrew to Andrea. Examples for trans men: Georgia to George, Nicole to Nicholas, Alexandra to Alexander, or Christine to Christopher. [5] X Research source
Name yourself after someone inspiring. If you grew up idolizing Marilyn Monroe, don’t be afraid to change your name to Marilyn.
Make sure that you aren’t with anyone who knows you by your birth name. At least explain what you’re doing beforehand. If you bring along a friend who knows that you’re choosing a new name, you may feel much more comfortable introducing yourself. Be mindful when introducing yourself to friends of friends, or to people who you might encounter in the course of “everyday life”. If too many people know you by too many names, you may eventually find yourself at the center of a confusing or embarrassing situation.
If you’re deciding between a few possible names, try writing all of them out on the same page. See which names leap out at you. Odds are, you’ll be most drawn to one or two choices. It may be easier to compare your options when they’re laid out before you.
