Thoughts about my names/Suggestions

Hey!

First, let me introduce myself quickly, since this is my first post here: I am the Mad Hatter, a twenty-year old girl, and I’m here with a situation somewhat different than the one of most of you.
The thing is, I’m not pregnant, I’m not adopting a child or anything along those lines. I need a new name for myself.
Let me explain: Twenty years ago, my mom and my dad, two Germans, very nice people and awesome parents, but somewhat strange people (not that I’m complaining, I’m a strange person too lol) decided to name their daughter a name that is definitely not detestable, but still somewhat questionable.

The past twenty years, I endured a lot of awkward nicknaming (like: “Hm, if we take the second syllable and add an ‘R’ in front of it and change the last letter and stress it in this particular way, it ALMOST sounds nice!”) and “how do you spell that?” and “is that your nickname or your full name?”, and frankly, I have grown tired of this nonsense. My name is weird, and it’s not even the good kind of weird, it’s just plain strange, in my opinion. Also, it sounds incredibly girly and soft, and I am a lot of things, but girly and soft are not in the repertoire. Feminine, yes. But not girly.

Now, in two months, I’m finally going to move out of Germany : I’m going to study medicine in [name_f]Ireland[/name_f]. (Yeah! So happy!)
I now want to seize the opportunity and change my name. The name is going to be even weirder in [name_f]Ireland[/name_f], and I have had enough. I still want to keep it, but only as a middle name where it won’t be too important. As my first name, I’d like something simple, quite short (but longer is okay too), somewhat quirky and fresh, but still not so unusual that I just have the same problem again.

I have put some thought in it and came up with some names.

[name_f]Kate[/name_f]/[name_f]Catherine[/name_f]: Nice, classic. Also, [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] is the middle name of my mother, so I’d have some connection.
[name_u]Abby[/name_u]: I love that it sounds somewhat fresh!
[name_f]Diane[/name_f]: I like it, but I’m worried about it being shortened to ‘[name_f]Di[/name_f]’, which I don’t like.
[name_f]Anne[/name_f]: Nice, classic, but maybe somewhat boring?
[name_f]Megan[/name_f]: I like it. That’s why it is in this list.
[name_u]Robin[/name_u]: Same reasons as [name_f]Megan[/name_f]-I simply like it.

Well, that’s my list so far. I like all of the names (obviously), but maybe you could give me some of your opinions about them, and maybe also suggest some more? I have gone trough some lists, but maybe you have ideas fore some names that sound a little fresher: Most of the ones I already thought of are very classic (and undoubtly beautiful!), but maybe you know some that are a little quirky and fresh, but still not strange or totally unusual?

Thanks you all for your help! :slight_smile:
Have a nice day,
Mad Hatter

I really like [name_u]Robin[/name_u] (for a girl I kind of like the spelling [name_f]Robyn[/name_f] a little better) from your list.

Suggestions:
[name_f]Daphne[/name_f]
[name_f]Rachel[/name_f]
[name_u]Kelsey[/name_u]
[name_f]Serena[/name_f]
[name_f]Freya[/name_f]
[name_f]Claire[/name_f]
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_f]Valerie[/name_f]
[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]

Good luck with school! :slight_smile: Sounds like an amazing opportunity.

[name_f]Megan[/name_f] is the nicest choice in my opinion.

My favorites are [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] and [name_u]Robin[/name_u].

Other suggestions:
[name_f]Anna[/name_f]
[name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_f]Erin[/name_f]
[name_f]Kira[/name_f]
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Nina[/name_f]
[name_f]Petra[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Iris[/name_f]
[name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Zoe[/name_f]
[name_f]Chloe[/name_f]
[name_f]Molly[/name_f]
[name_f]Bonnie[/name_f]
[name_f]Maren[/name_f]
[name_f]Lark[/name_f]
[name_f]Pearl[/name_f]
[name_f]Georgia[/name_f]
[name_f]Leora[/name_f]
[name_f]Leona[/name_f]

I really like [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]/[name_f]Kate[/name_f]. Other suggestions:
[name_f]Anna[/name_f]
[name_f]Mary[/name_f]
[name_f]Isla[/name_f]
[name_f]Ailsa[/name_f]/[name_f]Elsa[/name_f]
[name_f]Rose[/name_f]
[name_f]Bree[/name_f]
[name_f]Lola[/name_f]
[name_f]Nellie[/name_f]
[name_f]Joy[/name_f]
[name_u]Vivian[/name_u]
[name_f]Mia[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Heidi[/name_f]
[name_f]Lily[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenna[/name_f]
[name_f]Astrid[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucie[/name_f]
[name_f]Jenna[/name_f]
[name_f]Greer[/name_f]
[name_f]Freya[/name_f]

Any?

[name_f]Anne[/name_f] or [name_f]Catherine[/name_f].

Firstly, you need to make sure its something you really like and will never ‘go off,’ as it would be awkward to then have to re-rename yourself. I’ve never renamed myself personally, but in the times I have imagined what I would change it too, I have picked a different name every time. Find a name that you identify yourself with, something you like, and will enjoy telling people that that is your name.

If you like both names I would suggest using [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] then having [name_f]Kate[/name_f] as a nickname (though I would go for [name_f]Katy[/name_f].) [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] is a lovely classical name and the fact that its your mums middle name is even better!

[name_u]Abby[/name_u]: Its nice for you. I usally dislike this name but I like this spelling (along with [name_u]Abbey[/name_u]). Also, I’m around your and there are lots of [name_u]Abby[/name_u]'s in my generation, so it should suit you age wise too :slight_smile:

[name_f]Diane[/name_f]: I dislike it. Its too old ladyish. If you really like it, maybe use [name_f]Diana[/name_f] to avoid [name_f]Di[/name_f], and have [name_f]Anna[/name_f]?

[name_f]Anne[/name_f]: I agree, its a little boring. I do however, [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_f]Anna[/name_f] :slight_smile:

[name_f]Megan[/name_f]: Same as [name_u]Abby[/name_u], though slightly better :slight_smile:

[name_u]Robin[/name_u]: Its okay. I prefer the [name_f]Robyn[/name_f] spelling for a girl

I like [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]/[name_f]Kate[/name_f]! I’ll try to stick to unique but usable! Some others:

[name_f]Rose[/name_f]/[name_f]Rosie[/name_f]
[name_f]Lily[/name_f]
[name_u]Wren[/name_u] - a bird name like [name_u]Robin[/name_u], I think its cute!
[name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_f]Ella[/name_f]/[name_f]Ellie[/name_f]
[name_u]Ruby[/name_u] - I think this is spunky and fun!
[name_f]Stella[/name_f]
[name_f]Grace[/name_f]
[name_f]Leila[/name_f]
[name_f]Lila[/name_f]
[name_f]Sophie[/name_f]/[name_f]Sophia[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f] - Or maybe something longer, like [name_f]Coralie[/name_f]?
[name_f]Luella[/name_f] - Okay, maybe a little different. But nicknames are endless, like [name_f]Lulu[/name_f], [name_f]Lu[/name_f], [name_f]Elle[/name_f], [name_f]Ella[/name_f], [name_f]Ellie[/name_f]…
[name_f]Marie[/name_f] - little more fresh than [name_f]Mary[/name_f] in my opinion
[name_f]Violet[/name_f]
[name_f]Scarlett[/name_f]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f]
[name_f]Zoe[/name_f]/[name_f]Zoey[/name_f]
[name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f]
[name_f]Mae[/name_f]/[name_f]May[/name_f]
[name_f]Sylvie[/name_f]
[name_u]Sasha[/name_u]
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f] - Irish name too!
[name_f]Maisie[/name_f]
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f]
[name_f]Olivia[/name_f] - [name_f]Liv[/name_f] or [name_f]Livy[/name_f] are possible nicknames!
[name_f]Madeline[/name_f]/[name_f]Madeleine[/name_f] - another classic, but still pretty!
[name_f]Faye[/name_f] - Heard of, short and sweet, and a little different!
[name_f]Elise[/name_f]

If you’d like to check it out, I have a whole list of hundreds of girls names that I like that just keeps expanding if none of these catch your interest! Good luck too!
https://nameberry.com/userlist/view/73454

I like the suggestions of :
[name_f]Anna[/name_f]
[name_f]Kate[/name_f]
[name_f]Mary[/name_f]
[name_f]Claire[/name_f] (love)

I might add:
[name_f]Maria[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]
[name_f]Simona[/name_f]
[name_u]Allison[/name_u]
[name_f]Rosa[/name_f]

Like some previous posters have said, it’s important that you pick a name that you could really imagine yourself using and connecting to. Unless your name is just unheard of, then you might get to [name_f]Ireland[/name_f] and find that nobody thinks twice about your name; people outside of your home country might not make the same associations or pronounce it the same way that people in Germany do. Okay, but enough of that. Here are my impressions of the names you gave:

[name_f]Kate[/name_f]/[name_f]Catherine[/name_f]: I love [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]! It’s so elegant, and it can be shortened to a lot of nicknames. If you’re going to spell the name with a C though, I would use [name_f]Cate[/name_f] as a nn spelling instead of [name_f]Kate[/name_f]. That’s just nitpicking, I know, but I feel like it could be easier to remember that [name_f]Cate[/name_f] spells her name [name_f]Catherine[/name_f], and not [name_f]Katherine[/name_f].

[name_u]Abby[/name_u]: Kind of too nickname-y. You’re probably going to get asked what it’s short for a lot, which is a problem you have with your birth name, correct? Maybe short for [name_f]Abigail[/name_f]?

[name_f]Diane[/name_f]: I like this name, but I slightly prefer [name_f]Diana[/name_f]. If you don’t want it shortened to [name_f]Di[/name_f], then I guess the best solution is to just tell people you don’t like being called that?

[name_f]Anne[/name_f]: I have to agree, this name doesn’t strike me as anything special. If you think the name could be perceived as boring, then it’s probably not the best choice.

[name_f]Megan[/name_f]: I feel like I know too many Megans, so this name is kind of lackluster for me. If you like it and feel like it suits you though, then I say go for it.

[name_u]Robin[/name_u]: I love [name_u]Robin[/name_u], and I love this spelling. To me, the name sounds intelligent and feminine without being overly sweet. I think the [name_f]Robyn[/name_f] spelling takes away its charm.

If you’re at all comfortable sharing it, would you be willing to tell us your birth name? It might make finding similar sounding names easier, and help us know what to avoid. If not, it’s not a big deal.

  1. [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]
  2. [name_f]Megan[/name_f]
  3. [name_u]Abby[/name_u]

Hello, here I am again!
Thanks so much for all your answers!

My birth name, just for the record, is Loyette. It certainly ha a ring to it and I see why they chose it, but let’s face facts: It may be pretty, but it is very, very unusual, and very, very girly. I have tried nicknaming it, but the results never have been convincing to me. [name_m]Loy[/name_m], Lo, [name_f]Lolo[/name_f], [name_f]Lola[/name_f], [name_f]Etty[/name_f]-all just not for me.

I carefully read through your suggestions and I think I’ve narrowed it down to [name_f]Catherine[/name_f], [name_u]Robin[/name_u]/[name_f]Robyn[/name_f] (still not sure about the spelling…), [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] (then using [name_u]Abby[/name_u] as a nickname), [name_f]Claire[/name_f] and [name_f]Freya[/name_f], but I think so far [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] is my clear favourite (and it appears to be yours too!): It is very classic and if I want to use a nickname, [name_f]Cate[/name_f]/[name_f]Kate[/name_f]/[name_f]Cathy[/name_f] all are wonderful names. I obviously still need to give it some thought, but I think I could very much identify myself with [name_f]Catherine[/name_f], especially since it is a name around in my family since ages. [name_u]Robin[/name_u]/[name_f]Robyn[/name_f] still is a close second, but the fact that it can be used as a boy’s name too kind of puts me off. [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] would be an idea, but then again, [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] sound too old-fashioned for my taste, and [name_u]Abby[/name_u] a little too young and fresh for a professional environment. [name_f]Claire[/name_f] may be a little too soft, [name_f]Freya[/name_f] a little too harsh.

Thank you all for your help :-)!
(Maybe) [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]