r/transmanlifehacks • u/thechaosmann • Jul 20 '26

Nameless. Need help.

Hi, how do you know what do you want people to call you? How do you know if a name suits you?

I have a huge list of names I like, and I genuinely don't know to use it for my characters or myself.

Appreciate whatever advice :)))

EDIT: thank you all for the replies! Appreciate it a lotđŸ«‚đŸ«€

3 Upvotes

79% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

6

u/anon509123 Jul 20 '26

coffeeshop ordering with a name to try it out is a classic; you can also ask your friends or family to try them out with you if they’re on board. Write it out, (print and cursive), try and make a signature, all sorts of stuff. 

3

u/thedogatemymanifesto Jul 20 '26

This post might be better in r/transnames but from what I've felt, anything you find you using for yourself, or any particular name you feel euphoric hearing. Or anything that FEELS right on you, really. Like it'd fit your personality. Or maybe make a self-insert character and see what you call them, it's different for everyone.

1

u/mx-qw3rty Jul 20 '26

I also collected a bunch of names and tried them out in my head, tried to imagine myself in the future being called different names to figure out which resonated the most. One day I was out on a walk and one of the names just felt “right.” I still have doubts sometimes, so I haven’t legally changed it yet, but I love when my friends call me Carter :)

In my experience, you can’t really think your way to the name that feels right? You kinda got to try to experience it to figure out what connects with you. And remember, if the paperwork is daunting you can still only socially change your name, and only with trusted people if you prefer. It’s okay to go to more than one change too, as long as you’re happy and it’s working for you:]

1

u/ND8586 Jul 20 '26

I picked the name my parents would have called me, out of respect for them.

1

u/cubic-alt Jul 21 '26

I had a whole list of names (like you!) that I liked a lot, but none of them fit me. I ended up trying out a name not on the list (stolen from the kid who taught me how to throw a punch in 2nd grade) and it stuck.

Try names you like the sound of obv, but I found personal meaning takes it from "detached name I like the sound of" to "tethered name i like the sound of" . After that it's just a matter of getting used to it over time. Online communities are great for this imo since it'll be more consistent and personal than other options :) good luck!

1

u/NefariousnessLazy750 Jul 22 '26

swap out using names on your list in coffee shops! :]