Moving to America- change name?

Girl Names
1

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] everyone

So this isn’t actually about a “baby” name… I just really wasn’t sure where would be a good place to ask this question and figured I may get some good advice/thoughts here!

So I’m from [name_f]England[/name_f] and my name is [name_f]Bryony[/name_f]. I’m 23 and will be moving to [name_f]Florida[/name_f] in [name_u]March[/name_u] next year for a year to work at Disney.

I am seriously considering using a “variation” or a nickname while I am out there. I hated my name as a child but over the years have grown to not mind it so much, mainly because it’s not hugely popular so I’ve never had to be known as “[name_f]Bryony[/name_f] M” but rather just my name.

However I have always struggled when I’m abroad. When I’m in a non-English speaking country to be honest I usually lie and just use my middle name as my first name because it’s so much simpler. I lived in [name_u]Sydney[/name_u] for a year and within no time people were calling me either just B or [name_f]Bree[/name_f] (I think like in the States, names like [name_f]Brianna[/name_f]/[name_f]Brianne[/name_f] are fairly common in Aus).

I have been to the States a few times and always struggle when introducing myself. A lot of people assume its a female version of [name_m]Brian[/name_m] and end up calling me that as a “joke” which is fine for a 2 week vacation but not if I am there for a year! I think it is definitely a very “British” name. While I will be working at Disney I will have to wear a name tag and honestly I just don’t think I could handle all the questions/mispronunciations for a year! I recently spoke to an Irish girl out there called [name_f]Roisin[/name_f] and she said every other customer comments on her name, asks where she is from etc and she said it was the same for her friend who was Welsh called [name_f]Sian[/name_f].
While I am a chatty person, I don’t know I want to be doing that all day every day for a year!

I also (and sorry to sound deep) but have always dreamed of moving to the States. I haven’t had the greatest 23 years so far and am so excited to make a fresh start and I feel a slight name change would actually be quite good for me. But what are my options?

At primary school this one boy used to call me [name_u]Ronnie[/name_u] which caught on a bit, but I was talking to an American guy a while ago and he said it is not a common girl’s name at all and people would immediately associate it with an old man.

Other names I’ve thought is simply B, [name_f]Bea[/name_f], [name_f]Bree[/name_f] again, one I actually love is [name_u]Bryn[/name_u]. I met an American girl called this and it’s 100% a male name over here but it seems it’s not completely unheard of as a girl’s name in the states. I also like Ryn.

Anyway sorry for the long post but could I get some general thoughts on this? I would be tempted to just completely go by my middle name ([name_f]Kate[/name_f]) but I decided I’d like to keep a bit of my original name, just alter it a bit!

Thank you so much in advance for any input :slight_smile:

2

It’s true [name_u]Ronnie[/name_u] is mostly used by men.

I think [name_u]Bryn[/name_u], is a good option. And yes it’s used by girls. [name_f]Bea[/name_f] and [name_f]Bree[/name_f] are probably the least likely to get any questions.

But for what it’s worth I don’t think [name_f]Bryony[/name_f] is an odd name. I’ve seen it once or twice before and didn’t find it hard to pronounce or think it was odd. Though I suppose some people would.

3

i think bree is a good name, and it’s used for a lot of people so it won’t be uncommon :slight_smile:

4

I think [name_f]Bree[/name_f] or [name_u]Bryn[/name_u] would be good options indeed! If [name_u]Bryn[/name_u] is the one you like the most you should go with it.

5

thanks everyone! and thanks zpk perhaps it is becoming a little more familiar. I still have a while until I move so plenty of time to think about it :slight_smile:

6

I think [name_f]Bree[/name_f] or [name_u]Bryn[/name_u] would work just fine. [name_u]Bryn[/name_u] is mostly a girl name here. I’ve never met a male [name_u]Bryn[/name_u] anyway. For what it’s worth, my doctor’s name is [name_f]Bryony[/name_f]. I quite like it.

7

[name_u]Bryn[/name_u] is one of my favorite names! Maybe…

[name_f]Brynlee[/name_f]
[name_f]Bridget[/name_f]
[name_u]Brayden[/name_u]

but [name_u]Bryn[/name_u] is my favorite

8

Definitely keep [name_f]Bryony[/name_f]. [name_m]Trust[/name_m] me, it will be a lovely conversation point for you. Plus, it’s not weird or difficult. It’s pretty.

9

I would go for [name_f]Bree[/name_f].

10

I fully support calling yourself by whatever name you choose. But, I’d keep your real name as is. [name_f]Bea[/name_f] or [name_f]Kate[/name_f] would be what I’d go for. Good luck and have a great year!

11

I would introduce yourself as [name_f]Bryony[/name_f] (if anyone asks pass it off as a ‘‘weird British name’’ lol) but tell people you go by [name_f]Bee[/name_f]/[name_f]Bree[/name_f]/[name_f]Brynn[/name_f] if you want.

My sister is a [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] and in [name_u]North[/name_u] [name_u]America[/name_u] people are pretty confused by it (‘’[name_f]Georgia[/name_f] like the state?‘’ [name_m]Even[/name_m] just within Europe people consistently call her [name_u]Georgie[/name_u] or [name_f]Georgina[/name_f] ). My cousin is a [name_f]Cerys[/name_f] who lives in [name_f]Canada[/name_f] and one time somebody mistook her name for Carrots. She’s 9 so can see the funny side but I understand it might get a bit grating!

I would keep your name, however. The ones who make an effort to learn/understand it are the ones you should value most, so it’ll give you something to measure people’s worth to you by!

12

I think you should keep [name_f]Bryony[/name_f]. It’s a lovely name.

13

I’ve loved the name [name_f]Bryony[/name_f] for decades…[name_f]Mary[/name_f] [name_m]Stewart[/name_m] used it for the protagonist of Touch Not the [name_f]Cat[/name_f]. FWIW, if you’d like to pick a nn to use while here in the States, [name_u]Bryn[/name_u]/[name_f]Brynn[/name_f] is quite cool.

14

[name_f]Bryony[/name_f],
I’m super excited for you!
My friend of many years has worked with Disney for the last 5 years. I can tell you there is a strong international presence and real comradery with the “cast members”. I think, change your name only if you want to.
From the people at Disney I’ve met( my friend’s friends) , [name_f]Bryony[/name_f] is rather normal.
I love [name_f]Kate[/name_f] as well.
:wink: best of luck to you! [name_f]Welcome[/name_f] to the States;)