Looking for a new name for myself - overthinking it!

I’m in my late twenties and recently cut contact with my family. I always hated my name because it’s so attached to my family, who I’m not a part of and never really felt a part of.

I am a lifelong Name nerd and used to spend hours trawling sites like Nameberry.

There are lots of names I love but never feel like me. I think I’m getting too focused on the name being perfect. [name_f]Every[/name_f] time I find a name I think will work, I find something else I like just as much and worry about regretting it. I keep changing my name on social media to try them out but people are starting to think I’m having an identity crisis

I’m [name_f]English[/name_f] and have no plans to move away from the UK but I speak [name_u]French[/name_u] and [name_m]German[/name_m] too. I’m average height with naturally straight, ash brown hair with little blonde streaks. [name_f]My[/name_f] eyes are teal-grey, sometimes more green and sometimes more blue. I’m pale and quite cool toned. I’m quite plain and low contrast so I feel like a lot of names are too much for me to pull off. I want something a little different.

[name_f]My[/name_f] “aesthetic” is quite dark and moody but feminine - velvet, lace and muted colours but with hints of pink and florals. I work in academia and study astronomy. I love to read and collect old books. I enjoy walks (my favourite places are the local cemeteries - so peaceful), visiting antiques shops and museums. I like to travel, mostly within the UK in recent years due to COVID. I am a very curious person and love learning new things - I’m mainly interested in astronomy, linguistics and languages, theology, art and fashion. I’d be a university student forever if I could afford to.

I’d love to change my name before I start my career in research so that I can make a name for myself in my new name.

[name_f]My[/name_f] current name is [name_f]Kate[/name_f] after my grandma (who essentially forced my dad to name me after her so he hated my name growing up because they don’t get along). No middle name. It feels a little boring to me and I wish I’d at least been [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] for some nickname choice. I don’t want a name that is similar to [name_f]Kate[/name_f] because I want something different and not a family name. [name_f]My[/name_f] siblings have more unusual names and I always felt a bit plain as [name_f]Kate[/name_f]. I never really felt like a [name_f]Kate[/name_f] and always pictured myself changing it one day. I’d love a middle name too but probably easier to find a first name first!

[name_f]Annora[/name_f]
[name_f]Audra[/name_f]
[name_f]Lenora[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosalie[/name_f]
[name_f]Sabine[/name_f]
[name_f]Selma[/name_f]

I think the strongest contenders here are [name_f]Lenora[/name_f], [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] and [name_f]Selma[/name_f]. But I worry I’ll choose wrong!

But I’d love some more suggestions that either fit this list or you think match my very rough description of myself.

And any tips for trying names out without changing my social media name every few weeks to trial one? I’ve heard of the Starbucks way but they don’t really ask for a name where I live

Thank you!

I think Rosalie, Audra and Lenora sound great for you - the similar Leonor or Lenore would work well too!

On reading your description, these came to mind:

Constance (maybe nn Tansy)
Florence
Eliza
Ada
Rowenna
Mira
Robyn / Robin
Marnie
Marina
Elinor
Beatrix
Cassandra ‘Cassie’

Also, relatable but alas.

I think from your current list, [name_f]Lenora[/name_f] suits your description the best. I also like the suggestion of [name_f]Leonor[/name_f] or [name_f]Lenore[/name_f].

Now my own first thought: [name_f]Lyra[/name_f]. Since you mentioned astronomy twice, I like the idea of a celestial name for you. It’s unique but not too out there, feminine, and sort of has an academia and artsy vibe (I think).

Seren/Serena
[name_f]Sabrina[/name_f]
[name_u]Nova[/name_u]
[name_f]Linnea[/name_f]
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f]
[name_f]Ophelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f]
[name_f]Cosima[/name_f]
[name_f]Eva[/name_f]
[name_f]Celia[/name_f]
[name_f]Annika[/name_f]

Based on your description, I think [name_f]Lenora[/name_f] suits you the best! [name_f]Annora[/name_f] or [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] kinda work too.

I also thought of the name [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] when I read your description!

no such thing as overthinking it, we’re on an important mission!

i personally love sabine, but unhelpfully i think all options are great :sweat_smile:

i second lyra, and here’s a few more ideas:
selah
elara - hits multiple subjects of your interest, i think
lunara
lior
halley - like the comet
aura - like, well, the word, because ~vibes
charis / spellings

other than social media, i can only think of finding other food places that would call out your name for the order, for sure there must be one. that’s how i learned how much i dislike some names :smiling_face_with_tear:
could try also mobile games that ask for your name for random mentions, usually ones that involve a storyline of some sort. i redid my identity starting my island over on animal crossing and i feel much better being called by a different name, even if it’s just writing.

I like [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] [name_f]Lenora[/name_f] for you.

Your description made me think [name_f]Wednesday[/name_f]. Your top three is great though I’m sure you’d be happy with any.