Hello all,
I’m a hobbyist writer with a strong interest in etymology, so I’ve lurked on Nameberry many times before. However, this marks the first time I’ve been able to take the leap and make an account.
Recently I came of age and am now able to petition for legal name change. I would like to begin this process soon so that my first semester of college and new job as an EMT aren’t overly awkward or painful. I’ve realized, though, that I’m not strongly committed to any one name.
My birth name is Emma, and when I came out as a preteen my parents couldn’t find it in themselves to call me anything but an androgynous shortening of that. I’ve been Em to them for the last 7 years. One of my friends suggested Ember or Emerson but I vetoed those immediately because I’m just too old to have plausibly been called that at birth. Another proposed Emmett to lessen the unwieldiness for everyone around me – that one was tossed when people still thought I was saying Emma on the phone. A bit sad really, as I like Jewish names quite a lot and don’t want to eliminate that piece from my identity.
So I’m lost, and I’m turning to all of you for more ideas. For a first name I want something that is uncommon but not overly trendy or eyebrow-raising. I prefer names that are clearly male-designated to minimize misgendering. Something that is easy to spell and pronounce is also appreciated. I was born in the year 2000, and my surname is a variant spelling of Gutman (don’t want to be identified through Google search if I decide to go stealth at some point.)
Middle name suggestions or combinations are also welcome. I like the idea of honoring family members but I’m open to anything else. Family names that could be incorporated or masculinized are Geoffrey, Howard, Robert, Leon, Daniel, Jeanne, Taisa, Rose, Barbara, and Nadine.
Any input is much appreciated, so thank you in advance 
I love [name_u]Emmett[/name_u] too!
Here are some names that pop to mind -
[name_m]Adrian[/name_m]
[name_m]Hugo[/name_m] [name_m]Geoffrey[/name_m]
[name_m]Joshua[/name_m]
[name_m]Caleb[/name_m]
[name_m]Elijah[/name_m]
[name_m]Zachary[/name_m] [name_m]Leon[/name_m]
[name_m]Eli[/name_m]
[name_m]Isaac[/name_m]
First I want to congratulate you for beginning the process of taking this large step!
I appreciate your wanting to try and find a name that makes things easier on those who have know you a very long time (my friend [name_m]Luke[/name_m] did the same) but know that you aren’t required to do so. No matter the name you choose the people in your life should respect it and work with you to affirm it. I know things are always tricky with parents and considering their feelings so I do understand all the same.
If you are looking to names that can be shortened to [name_f]Em[/name_f], here are a few:
[name_u]Emery[/name_u]/[name_u]Emory[/name_u]
[name_m]Emil[/name_m]
[name_m]Ephraim[/name_m]/[name_m]Efraim[/name_m]
[name_m]Elmo[/name_m]/[name_m]Elmore[/name_m]/[name_m]Elmer[/name_m]
[name_m]Edmund[/name_m]
[name_m]Ebrahim[/name_m]
[name_m]Eilam[/name_m]
[name_m]Esmond[/name_m]
[name_m]Eamon[/name_m]
^Of those I personally feel like [name_m]Ephraim[/name_m] really fits the bill well.
Other names:
[name_m]Simon[/name_m]
[name_m]Rupert[/name_m]
[name_m]Bram[/name_m]
[name_m]Basil[/name_m]
[name_m]Amos[/name_m]
[name_m]Reuben[/name_m]
[name_m]Edgar[/name_m]
[name_m]Benjamin[/name_m]
[name_m]Casper[/name_m]
[name_m]Fabian[/name_m]
[name_m]Desmond[/name_m]
[name_m]Allen[/name_m]
[name_m]Oscar[/name_m]
[name_m]Abner[/name_m]
^A few of these you could still get the nn [name_f]Em[/name_f] from but for the most part they would be distinct from your birthname/deadname.
I hope this helped!
I would not pick [name_m]Zander[/name_m], [name_u]Elliot[/name_u]/[name_m]Eli[/name_m], [name_m]Lucas[/name_m], [name_u]Jay[/name_u], or [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], because (from my observation) they are super duper common names for trans guys. Or anything that sounds really 2010s and not early 2000s.
Suggestions:
[name_u]Brett[/name_u]
[name_m]Alan[/name_m]
[name_m]Mark[/name_m]
[name_m]Russell[/name_m]
[name_m]Trevor[/name_m]
[name_m]Steven[/name_m]
I like [name_u]Emory[/name_u] and [name_m]Eamon[/name_m] as options.
You could also pick a name with “em” in the middle, like [name_m]Jeremiah[/name_m] or [name_u]Remington[/name_u].
Another idea is to pick a name starting with the letter M, which allows you to keep the same nickname but gives you way more options.
[name_m]Matthias[/name_m]
[name_m]Malachi[/name_m]
[name_m]Malcolm[/name_m]
[name_u]Michael[/name_u]
I just thought of something else that might be helpful. You want something not too common/popular but still familiar and that doesn’t seem conspicuous for your age so-
You could look up your birth year and/or the year before and after your birth on the social security website and clean some ideas from there. You don’t want anything in the top 100 but for familiar/less common names looking within the 200-500 range should give you some good ideas.
I agree that you should pick a name with the “em” sound to ease the nickname situation (although there’s really no reason your parents HAVE to call you that). [name_m]Emmanuel[/name_m], [name_m]Jeremy[/name_m]/[name_m]Jeremiah[/name_m], [name_u]Emery[/name_u], [name_m]Emilio[/name_m], [name_u]Memphis[/name_u], and [name_u]Remington[/name_u] are the ones I thought of first. Of those, I think [name_m]Jeremiah[/name_m] and [name_m]Emmanuel[/name_m] are both Hebrew, but I’m not sure. Also, for what it’s worth, I really don’t think anyone would notice that [name_u]Emerson[/name_u] skews a few years younger than you; my friend, [name_u]Avery[/name_u], is trans and although she was born in the early 90s and her name is much more common now/when she chose it than it was then, no one really seems to think it’s strange or seems “suspicious” in any way (she’s lucky to pass pretty easily, but me/most of her friends are pretty visibly queer so when we’re together you might think people would be curious). I am SO excited for you that you’re getting to take this huge step and live authentically and truly!!! Also congrats on the job as an EMT (what a great and honorable thing!) and on going to college!!!
Congrats! My first thought was [name_m]Jeremy[/name_m] or [name_m]Jeremiah[/name_m]: both age-appropriate (i.e., common-ish in or around your birth year) and easily nicknameable ([name_u]Jem[/name_u] or [name_f]Em[/name_f] are both options). [name_m]Emmanuel[/name_m], Demitri, or [name_m]Emil[/name_m] would also be great options.
I like the suggestion of [name_m]Jeremy[/name_m] for you!
[name_m]Ezra[/name_m] or [name_u]Emory[/name_u]?