Name change! Thoughts, feelings, advice?

Boy Names
1

Apologizes for spelling/grammar/format issues; I’m on mobile.

Hello! I’m a young 20s American trans guy looking for feedback on my name change list. I’ve already done the “ask your parents what they would have named you” (my brother got the name) and the “look at names from the year you were born” (wholly uninspiring.) I’d love to involve my parents in this process but they’re… sort of struggling with this, so this is what I’ve come up with myself. This is for first names; I might make a second post for middles, because I have a couple concerns there too.

My first issue is that, like every other sibling set in my extended family, my siblings and I all have the same first initial. For us it’s K. While in theory I’d love to find a K name to keep with the theme, I just… [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t like any masculine K names. At this point my K list is [name_m]Kurt[/name_m], [name_m]Klaus[/name_m], [name_m]Kipling[/name_m], [name_u]Kit[/name_u] (I’d use it alone, not as a nickname for [name_m]Christopher[/name_m]), and [name_u]Konstantin[/name_u], but I don’t really feel any of them, they’re just K names that aren’t terrible I guess.

Outside of K names I like:

[name_m]Fredrick[/name_m]–I have a good friend/ex who has called me Fritzling for a long time, and I love [name_m]Fritz[/name_m] as a nickname. [name_m]Fredrick[/name_m] feels more useable in the US than [name_m]Friedrich[/name_m], but I worry that using [name_m]Fritz[/name_m] as a nickname is just too much regardless. There’s also the issue of [name_m]Fredrick[/name_m] vs [name_m]Frederick[/name_m]. Part of me prefers [name_m]Fredrick[/name_m] because it more closely mimics [name_m]Friedrich[/name_m], part of me prefers [name_m]Frederick[/name_m] because it looks more complete. Also, I like the [name_m]Fred[/name_m] and [name_m]George[/name_m] connection because I’m a redheaded twin, but that stupid YouTube [name_m]Fred[/name_m] thing is definitely familiar to my age group and the first thing my friend thought of when I brought up the name, which I hate. I also don’t like [name_m]Fred[/name_m], [name_m]Rick[/name_m], or [name_m]Eric[/name_m] as nicknames if I ever decided not to use [name_m]Fritz[/name_m], though the full [name_m]Fredrick[/name_m] is nice and I don’t mind [name_u]Freddy[/name_u].

[name_m]Joachim[/name_m]–I have also liked the name [name_m]Joachim[/name_m] for a long time, since the first time I learned of [name_m]Saint[/name_m] [name_m]Joachim[/name_m] (though he’s not a saint I feel particularly connected to.) I also like the potential to use [name_m]Joe[/name_m]/[name_u]Joey[/name_u] as a nickname ([name_m]Joseph[/name_m] is off limits.) It’s also kind of a family name ([name_m]Joakim[/name_m], the Swedish form, is.) My biggest concern is pronunciation. I like it three syllables, the Germanic way, and would expect people to pronounce it [name_f]Yo[/name_f]-ah-keem (I don’t expect people in the US to get the -ch- sound right so I’d use a -k-.) But every person I have ever mentioned this name to has pronounced it the Spanish way, like Wah-keem, and I hate that. I mean it shouldn’t be hard for people to learn, especially if I use a nickname, but just the idea of people thinking my name is pronounced Wah-keem irks me.

[name_m]Alois[/name_m]–this has sort of the opposite pronounciation problem of [name_m]Joachim[/name_m], where everyone I’ve asked defaults to three syllables (ah-lo-eez) but I prefer two syllables (ah-loyce.) The three syllables way sounds much too feminine, like [name_u]Eloise[/name_u]. This name also has a lesser known historical namesake that I’m not fond of (Hitler’s dad), but I do really like it, so I’ve considered it as a middle name, I’ve just already got two short middle names picked out that have a level of sentimentality that I I’m not sure I’d be willing to give up for [name_m]Alois[/name_m]. Since I’ve seen it suggested before as an alternative to [name_m]Alois[/name_m], I’ll go ahead and mention I’m not a fan of [name_m]Aloysius[/name_m].

[name_m]Rudolf[/name_m]–I really feel like I could be a [name_u]Rudy[/name_u], but I’d want it to be a nickname. I like [name_m]Rudolph[/name_m] but obviously worry about the reindeer connection. Would spelling it [name_m]Rudolf[/name_m] help that at all?

I also like the name [name_m]Bruno[/name_m], but have heard it called a dog name often. I have had friends suggest a lot of names ([name_m]Hans[/name_m], [name_m]Franz[/name_m], [name_m]Johannes[/name_m], and [name_m]Ludwig[/name_m] being the most common) but they all feel too [name_m]German[/name_m] for the US (though I do quite like Hans.)

I also like the name [name_m]Walter[/name_m] and it’s the name of a very influential person in my life, but my last name is [name_m]German[/name_m] for white and I don’t want to sound like the protagonist of a [name_m]German[/name_m] Breaking Bad.

Thoughts? Feelings? Advice?

2

I love [name_m]Frederick[/name_m]! It feels very stately, and works across age groups. I also love [name_m]Fritz[/name_m] and wouldn’t personally consider it too [name_m]German[/name_m]. However, if the only way you like [name_m]Frederick[/name_m] is as [name_m]Fritz[/name_m], I’d be careful; I wouldn’t exactly consider it a professional name, and you should pick a name you can love just as much at work as outside of it. Of the other two I prefer [name_m]Alois[/name_m] because it’s simpler (though [name_m]Joachim[/name_m] is great.) Best of luck!

3

Okay, so! You have lots of ideas, and that’s a good start.

First off, the K names: It would be really cool if you could find one you really liked, but I wouldn’t forfeit having a name you adore for the sake of having one that starts with K. I think you’ll regret it later on. That being said, one suggestion I have would be [name_m]Karl[/name_m]. It’s the [name_m]German[/name_m] form of [name_m]Charles[/name_m], and means “free man”.

[name_m]Fredrick[/name_m]: I love [name_m]Fredrick[/name_m]/[name_m]Frederick[/name_m]! I prefer the “[name_m]Frederick[/name_m]” form, but it sounds like you prefer [name_m]Fredrick[/name_m]. You’re right, it does mimic [name_m]Friedrich[/name_m] more closely, which is a bonus. [name_m]Just[/name_m] be prepared for people to be tempted to spell it “[name_m]Frederick[/name_m]”, though. As someone who is named [name_f]Caitlin[/name_f] (the oldest Anglicized form of the name, I might add) and constantly has it spelled [name_f]Katelyn[/name_f], [name_f]Kaitlyn[/name_f], [name_f]Caitlyn[/name_f], etc… it does get annoying. But I love my name, and if you love yours too, that’s what matters! Point of fact, you could probably go with [name_m]Friedrich[/name_m] without too much difficulty, if you like the name.

[name_m]Joachim[/name_m]: I’m gonna be honest… I totally read this as Wah-keem before I read the rest of the paragraph. If that really bothers you, I suggest nixing this name. I prefer [name_f]Yo[/name_f]-ah-keem, don’t get me wrong, but I think a lot of people would be stuck on the Wah-keem pronunciation. However, there are other ways to get to [name_m]Joe[/name_m]/[name_u]Joey[/name_u]! [name_m]Joel[/name_m] and [name_m]Johann[/name_m] are two that you might like. I think pronunciation would be a lot easier with [name_m]Johann[/name_m] than [name_m]Joachim[/name_m], and they’re similar. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you like [name_m]Johann[/name_m]? I know you said that [name_m]Johannes[/name_m] seems too [name_m]German[/name_m] for the US, but I think [name_m]Johannes[/name_m] and [name_m]Johann[/name_m] would be easily recognized!

[name_m]Alois[/name_m]: Wow, love this! I had no idea about Hitler’s dad, but I don’t think too many other people will either, to be honest. You’d have to correct pronunciation, but it might be worth it. I think people would catch on quick with this one. It doesn’t necessary need to relegated to the middle spot, in my opinion.

[name_m]Rudolf[/name_m]: I think this may just be too reindeer. [name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_m]Rudolfo[/name_m]? Or is that too much? It seems less reindeer-ish, anyway. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you not like [name_u]Rudy[/name_u] enough to use as a first name, or do you not think it’s usable? If you’re open to it, I think [name_u]Rudy[/name_u] could be an awesome first name.

I love [name_m]Hans[/name_m]! Something that could be both a drawback and a plus to that name: Frozen, the movie. One of the characters (a villain, unfortunately, but that’s no big deal) was named [name_m]Hans[/name_m]. Meaning that when people hear the name, they may think Frozen, but more people will know the name and see it as less “foreign”. Although even before the movie, I think it was a perfectly fine name for the US. It may not be associated with Frozen all that much, I’m just letting you know that it’s a possibility, good or bad.

You mentioned you’re a twin? [name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m]/[name_m]Sebastien[/name_m] or [name_m]Bastian[/name_m]/[name_m]Bastien[/name_m]? [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] and [name_f]Viola[/name_f] were the twins in [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m]'s Twelfth [name_m]Night[/name_m]. They were very devoted to each other.

Other suggestions:

  • [name_m]Casper[/name_m]/[name_m]Caspar[/name_m]
  • [name_m]Augustus[/name_m]/[name_u]August[/name_u]/[name_m]Augustin[/name_m]
  • [name_m]Willem[/name_m]
  • [name_m]Bertram[/name_m] (means “bright raven”, which is pretty awesome)
  • [name_m]Mathias[/name_m]
  • [name_m]Sven[/name_m]
  • [name_m]Viktor[/name_m] (this has quite a prominent “k” in it; could be a nod to your family’s “K” tradition?)
  • [name_m]Felix[/name_m]
  • [name_m]Henrik[/name_m] (also has a prominent “k”)

I really hope I didn’t overwhelm you with all of that! If nothing fits, I advise you to keep searching. And you may end up coming back to a name that you had previously written off! Try to be patient with yourself, as you only get to do this once. You must be very antsy to pick a name, but the more confident you are in your choice, the better.
Best of luck to you! If you want, please let us know what you ended up going with!

4

hey hey, I’m also a trans guy looking for inspiration, idk why I thought that was important but, connection you know? anyway, I only have one name to add and thats [name_m]Kirk[/name_m]. its a little nerdy but it fits with youre parents K theme?

5

Sounds like you’ve got some good ideas to work with. I really like [name_m]Frederick[/name_m] (either spelling). [name_m]Fritz[/name_m] is great, as is [name_u]Freddy[/name_u].

Some more thoughts:
[name_m]Kurt[/name_m]
[name_m]Kaspar[/name_m]
[name_m]Leon[/name_m]
[name_m]Marcel[/name_m]

I like the idea behind pp’s suggestion of [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], but I think it’s worth noting that in Twelfth [name_m]Night[/name_m] [name_f]Viola[/name_f] pretends to be [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] for much of the play. I’m not sure if ‘girl pretending to be a boy’ is really an association you’ll want to encourage. I don’t think people will automatically think of the play when they hear the name [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], but if you wanted to tell the story of why you chose the name, and you chose it for the play, it might be a bit problematic.

Good luck with search (you too, @ lkjhgfdsa)!

6

I love [name_m]Frederick[/name_m], either spelling works ok in the US I think, and also really like the suggestion of [name_m]Kirk[/name_m] if you think the K is important. I also think [name_m]Hans[/name_m] is perfectly fine in the US.