Apologies if this post is in the wrong place - I’m looking for name for myself, instead of for a baby. There didn’t seem to be a more appropriate section of these forums.
So, I’m looking to find a new name for myself, to hopefully go by next year at college or potentially later. I identify as nonbinary, and my given name is rather feminine, but even before I realized I had gender dysphoria my first name never fit me. I am currently planning to introduce myself as my last name, but that’s not an ideal solution. The thing is, I already have a name that I love and identify with - I go by “Mist” online. It started out as a pseudonym inspired by my favorite book (Mistborn) and, over the course of years, grew to be the name I most identify with. However, I worry about how I’ll be perceived if I introduce myself as Mist - I worry that the name has rather “hippie” connotations. I’m planning to go into quite a competitive/traditionally masculine STEM field, so I don’t want to be seen as weak or too odd. What I’m looking for now is a name which is sort of “normal” (and hopefully a bit androgynous, but I’ll take whatever) name for which “Mist” is a reasonable nickname. (for example, [name_f]Mystery[/name_f], although that name also is too “odd” for me to go by it.)
TL;DR: Normal-sounding names which have “Mist” as a nickname.
Personally I don’t think there is anything particularly unusual or bohemian about using Mist as a given name. It’s a one syllable nature name and not that different from someone being named [name_u]Ash[/name_u], or [name_u]River[/name_u]. Then again, I am from [name_m]Portland[/name_m] Oregon so perhaps I’m not the best judge
There is always the old standby given name of [name_f]Misty[/name_f], which you can use as a segue into Mist i.e.: “Hello I’m [name_f]Misty[/name_f] but I prefer to be called Mist.” While it is a very traditionally feminine name, it’s not unusual for feminine names to have a gender neutral nickname such as [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] to [name_u]Alex[/name_u] or [name_f]Samantha[/name_f] to [name_u]Sam[/name_u].
Congratulations on this name change! You’ve picked an excellent book series to base it on!
What about [name_f]Mistral[/name_f]? It’s quite unusual, so I wouldn’t immediately be able to pin it on either gender, and it could easily shorten to Mist.
I’m almost tempted to suggest [name_f]Araminta[/name_f], but it does sound quite frilly and feminine, which is probably not what you’re after. You could maybe still shorten it to Mist, although there isn’t actually an s in the name - but if you can get [name_f]Hattie[/name_f] from [name_f]Harriet[/name_f], I doubt anyone would bat an eyelid.
Then again, I’d be tempted just to go with Mist as a full name - you love and identify with it, which shouldn’t be ignored. I don’t think there’s anything bohemian about the name, and parents are becoming more adventurous namers these days. I think many would consider Mist a breath of fresh air compared to names like [name_m]Jaxon[/name_m], [name_m]Maverick[/name_m], [name_f]Nevaeh[/name_f], and [name_u]Genesis[/name_u] that rank in the top 100.
I do think STEM industries are getting better at employing people based on their skill sets, not on their gender or their name, and a Mist would be a much more memorable applicant than an [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] or a [name_u]James[/name_u], for example.
If you really like the name Mist, I encourage you to go for it.
I agree with ordinaryunicorn, I think Mist works perfectly well as a given name, but I also think [name_f]Mystery[/name_f] and [name_f]Misty[/name_f] would work really well.
There’s also a possibility of [name_u]Sierra[/name_u] with the nickname Mist, but that may be way too cheesy/punny for your taste.
[name_f]Mystery[/name_f] is your best bet in my opinion. Good luck on your naming pursuits!
Thank you all! I quite like [name_f]Mistral[/name_f] as a name (And thank you, also, to those who suggested names I didn’t mention here - I appreciate the diversity of names & respect with which you handled my question!!)
A character from a TV show I watch hoes by [name_f]Misty[/name_f], even though her name is [name_f]Mercedes[/name_f]. If it worked on the show, it could work in real life.
(And thank you, also, to those who suggested names I didn’t mention here - I appreciate the diversity of names & respect with which you handled my question!!)