[name_m]Hi[/name_m]! I’m not a baby (though it’d be really cool to meet an infant who could type at such a high degree of English proficiency), but I am looking for a name change.
My mother has decided to give me the ‘go’ and allow me to change my legal name, but I’m not sure if the name I’m eyeing for myself might be a bit too ‘out there’ for use. I’m a girl, if that makes any difference.
[name_u]Jensen[/name_u]. Yeah. My students (I did this student teaching program for a few months) started calling me [name_u]Jensen[/name_u] one day as a joke name, but the name grew on me so much that I realized I liked it way more than I could ever like my current name ([name_f]Jenny[/name_f]. Ich.). The only problem is, it seems a bit too surname-y for use as a given name? I also have no Scandinavian heritage, so the very Nordic name does make me somewhat nervous on that front, too.
I too think it sounds like a surname. It also sounds unisex, which I’m not sure is a good thing or not for you. I personally would keep searching for some more names just to put it to comparison. I also grew up with some nicknames that to me sounded better than my full name, but if I actually had the option to change my name, I would just go all out and choose a completely different name. So the question is, do you actually like Jensen or do you just like it because it’s better than Jenny?
You pose a good question, and one I definitely need to think more about. Really, I think what attracts me to [name_u]Jensen[/name_u] is precisely its masculine quality, while still being close enough to my current name that it feels familiar. It still feels like me, but a better version of me (not because I think male is better, but because the name feels more comfortable for some reason and I always thought [name_f]Jenny[/name_f] was too cutesy and hyperfeminine).
I do like [name_u]Jensen[/name_u], and I didn’t think of its Scandinavian origins until you pointed it out. I believe I’ve heard of a school-aged girl named [name_u]Jensen[/name_u]- it fits nicely into the surnames-as-given-names trend.
If you want to change your name, [name_u]Jensen[/name_u] is a good choice. It sounds like you’ve already started to identify with the name, and it’s so close to your given name that the transition would be fluid. My only concern is that there’s the possibility of the nicknames [name_f]Jenny[/name_f] and [name_f]Jen[/name_f], if that’s something you want to avoid.
Lots of surname names work fine as given names, and [name_u]Jensen[/name_u] is one I’ve seen used before. I don’t think it’s too out there, especially of it feels like a part of your identity now, which is what it sounds like.
I went to school with a girl with this name, it seems to wear well. Surname names are uber popular right now so I feel like it could work. Also in the UK, it’s a pretty popular boy’s name. It might be a little masculine, but I think it could work.
I think it’s nice, it’s only too masculine, too surnamey, or too anything else if it feels that way to you. If it feels right and you identify with it then I think that’s all that matters. I like the sound quite a bit!
I like [name_u]Jensen[/name_u]! I met a woman named [name_u]Jensen[/name_u] recently and I thought it was a really nice name for her. Strong and independent sounding and I didn’t think it was too masculine.
I know of a few Jensens (although all boys, but the name is a surname so works both ways), I don’t think it’s a name that is obviously Scandinavian so works just as well on someone who isn’t.
If it’s what you want to be called anyway, go ahead and change it! Having your legal name not match what people call you just makes it confusing.
Another thing to consider, though: if you end up being called [name_f]Jen[/name_f] (which I imagine might happen), people will assume your full name is [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f], not [name_u]Jensen[/name_u]. Though I’m guessing you spent most of your life dealing with that anyway.
I really, REALLY like this! I don’t care if it’s a surname, boy/girl name, etc.
I think a certain type of girl could really pull this off, and out in the real world would probably get a lot of compliments. I don’t think it’s a joke name at all. Nobody would be laughing if you introduced yourself as [name_u]Jensen[/name_u] (they’d probably think it was different/pretty cool).
I’d suggest doing a trial run though - start using it on a day-to-day basis where it’s ok to use a nickname. Try to see if it sticks before legally changing it.
I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_u]Jensen[/name_u] for a girl/woman. In fact it’s listed in my signature. It was the name that I selected 28 years ago - had my son been a girl!
I first saw it on [name_u]Jensen[/name_u] [name_m]Buchanan[/name_m]. She was a soap star on “One Life to Live.”
I think [name_u]Jensen[/name_u] is a wonderful name. You already identify with it, so you know it feels right. It has similarity to your given name, so it’s not a total switch. It sounds current without being trendy. It has both a professional and fun ring to it. It is unisex without totally being in either camp. Go for it.