New Post
Search
HelpConsidering changing my name/ some possible overthinking
So my name is Edina, and I would like it if not for the associations. I'm estranged from most of my family, occasionally worried about being found in the future, and my chauvinist father named me after a dancer. Besides for that, it's constantly mispronounced or misread (typically as Edna), which I wouldn't care about if i felt more connected to my name.
I've gone by Edie for the last few years, and I've like it more...but it doesn't feel like a full name to me. I'm mildly uncomfortable being addressed by my full name, but it doesn't feel "serious" enough in a formal setting. I also like having some distance between friends vs strangers, employers/superiors, etc which the full name/nickname dichotomy gives (or at least, a more single, more formal name). Then there's other associations ex E.D. (erectile disorder or eating disorder), especially since I'd like to work in the medical field, and Idi Amin (less common to come across, but still).
Edith would be a clear pick, since that's the more common full name for Edie. But that's actually my middle name, and while I like the alliteration, I'm named after a family member I'm on shaky ground with, so using that as my full name is not an option.
Some options I've considered w/ that nickname:
Eden - most clear pick, but I'm unsure about it. Not totally sure how religious it comes off as, and I'm also enough of a hippie.
Frida - one of my top pics. But- I might be overthinking this- it might come off as pretentious? I love Frida Kahlo, and I like art as a hobby. I wouldn't be naming myself after her, there's plenty other reasons I like it, but I don't want it to look like I did.
Eda - also feels kinda incomplete. Also the name of a character from a cartoon, and if I'm being honest, I did get that name from there and she's the best character (especially as an old lady) I've seen in children's media...but it's also children's media lol.
Edvarda - lovely but I don't think I'm bold enough to pull it off. But I like the nn "Eddie", which I kinda already wanna go by, but it feels silly since it's so close to Edie.
There are other completely different names I've considered, but going too far from my original name makes me feel kind of fake. Not that I can't relate to it, but I second guess myself for making such a big deal as to change it. And those other names are ones like Iris and Irene...so still short names, with long vowel sounds. But I don't think I'm opposed to something totally different.
Any input or suggestions would be appreciated, especially from others who've considered/already have changed their name. Thank you.
I've gone by Edie for the last few years, and I've like it more...but it doesn't feel like a full name to me. I'm mildly uncomfortable being addressed by my full name, but it doesn't feel "serious" enough in a formal setting. I also like having some distance between friends vs strangers, employers/superiors, etc which the full name/nickname dichotomy gives (or at least, a more single, more formal name). Then there's other associations ex E.D. (erectile disorder or eating disorder), especially since I'd like to work in the medical field, and Idi Amin (less common to come across, but still).
Edith would be a clear pick, since that's the more common full name for Edie. But that's actually my middle name, and while I like the alliteration, I'm named after a family member I'm on shaky ground with, so using that as my full name is not an option.
Some options I've considered w/ that nickname:
Eden - most clear pick, but I'm unsure about it. Not totally sure how religious it comes off as, and I'm also enough of a hippie.
Frida - one of my top pics. But- I might be overthinking this- it might come off as pretentious? I love Frida Kahlo, and I like art as a hobby. I wouldn't be naming myself after her, there's plenty other reasons I like it, but I don't want it to look like I did.
Eda - also feels kinda incomplete. Also the name of a character from a cartoon, and if I'm being honest, I did get that name from there and she's the best character (especially as an old lady) I've seen in children's media...but it's also children's media lol.
Edvarda - lovely but I don't think I'm bold enough to pull it off. But I like the nn "Eddie", which I kinda already wanna go by, but it feels silly since it's so close to Edie.
There are other completely different names I've considered, but going too far from my original name makes me feel kind of fake. Not that I can't relate to it, but I second guess myself for making such a big deal as to change it. And those other names are ones like Iris and Irene...so still short names, with long vowel sounds. But I don't think I'm opposed to something totally different.
Any input or suggestions would be appreciated, especially from others who've considered/already have changed their name. Thank you.
This message was edited 3/3/2024, 9:15 AM
Replies
I'd vote for Frida. I don't find it pretentious at all.
Edwina? Ena rather than Eda?
I like Frida and Edvarda, as well as Irene and maybe Irena. But it’s fine to change your name to something different from your birth name if it's what you want! There's nothing fake about wanting to feel comfortable and like yourself.
I think Edwina could also be nice, though it doesn't actually have the 'eed' sound (but I think you could get away with using it anyway!). Things disconnected from Edie that sound similar to me are Edwige, Iva, Ivy, and Iseult, though depending on where you live Edwige and Iseult may be difficult for people to pronounce.
I think Edwina could also be nice, though it doesn't actually have the 'eed' sound (but I think you could get away with using it anyway!). Things disconnected from Edie that sound similar to me are Edwige, Iva, Ivy, and Iseult, though depending on where you live Edwige and Iseult may be difficult for people to pronounce.
By all means change your name if you don't want to be associated with it or the people who gave it to you.
I like Frida and Eden.
I love Edie.
Suggestions: Meredith (love this option), Andromeda (too out there?), Bedelia, Benedicta (too religious?), Fidelma, Frederica, Mildred (too old?), Breda, Dreda, Cedar, Alfreda, Hedda, Amedea, Wilfreda, Kennedy, Etheldreda (too clunky?), Wednesday, Phaedra, Soledad (again, too religious?), Leda, Veda and Winifred (love). Good luck.
I like Frida and Eden.
I love Edie.
Suggestions: Meredith (love this option), Andromeda (too out there?), Bedelia, Benedicta (too religious?), Fidelma, Frederica, Mildred (too old?), Breda, Dreda, Cedar, Alfreda, Hedda, Amedea, Wilfreda, Kennedy, Etheldreda (too clunky?), Wednesday, Phaedra, Soledad (again, too religious?), Leda, Veda and Winifred (love). Good luck.
Eden, most wouldn't even know of a religious association. It's quite nice, I'd choose that
Edina is an infamous city in my state with horrible connotations, so my gut is that you change it, LOL. Besides, one's name is one of the biggest markers of one's identity. You're going to have to hear it all the time and be completely associated with it, so it better be something you love!
Eden does immediately make me think of religion, but Frida doesn't come off as pretentious at all! Frida is a plenty-used name; it's not like Frida Kahlo is one of the only Fridas out there.
I agree that Eda feels incomplete. It seems more like a nickname to me.
Eden does immediately make me think of religion, but Frida doesn't come off as pretentious at all! Frida is a plenty-used name; it's not like Frida Kahlo is one of the only Fridas out there.
I agree that Eda feels incomplete. It seems more like a nickname to me.
Thank you for your input!
And in Minnesota? Yeah, I've heard, ouch lol. I get Edina mispronounced pretty often as ee-DYE-nuh because of it.
And in Minnesota? Yeah, I've heard, ouch lol. I get Edina mispronounced pretty often as ee-DYE-nuh because of it.
Yeah, I instinctively pronounce it that way, haha.
I've changed my name as an adult. Yes, I think you are overthinking the "what if people think about-?" parts, but I totally get it. It's hard not to consider every possible angle! But, I absolutely never thought about disorders or dictators and how they sound like Edie, until you pointed it out! So do not worry too much about that.
I love Edie. Eden nn Edie is really lovely, but I understand that it may feel too religious for you. I see it as more retro myself (I think of Barbara Eden).
Frida "Edie" doesn't feel pretentious to me (in fact, it's a little frumpy-cute!). It's similar to Edie but also, not. I think this would work very well.
To throw another wrench in, what about Edwina "Edie"? It's just one extra letter from Edina, yet it's a whole new name.
I love Edie. Eden nn Edie is really lovely, but I understand that it may feel too religious for you. I see it as more retro myself (I think of Barbara Eden).
Frida "Edie" doesn't feel pretentious to me (in fact, it's a little frumpy-cute!). It's similar to Edie but also, not. I think this would work very well.
To throw another wrench in, what about Edwina "Edie"? It's just one extra letter from Edina, yet it's a whole new name.
Thank you. Yeah, dismissing worries about what others I may think can be tricky.
I'm not even put off by the religious connotations of Eden, but I was considering what impression that may leave, like if it's a fundamentalist fave. Which is maybe silly, since the one Eden I met irl was not like that at all, and people can just talk to me and see I'm not, either (also I didn't even think of Barbara Eden).
I like frumpy cute! One thing that appeals to me about Frida is that it feels like a vintage name that'll come back, kinda like Eleanor.
And I've considered Edwina before...like the opposite of the character from Ab Fab, who changed it from Edwina to Edina to sound more hip and young. I like how it looks, the etymology, and the -WIN-uh pronunciation, but the -WEEEN- is unappealing to me. I've also thought of Edvina, since it reflects my heritage or whatever, without being exclusively Hungarian. Though it (along with Edvarda, Edelgard) have very bold, kinda hot vibes that I'd appreciate on someone else, but wouldn't really fit me, lol.
Did it take awhile to find the name you chose? Or did one stick out to you and make you realize "oh, that fits me"?
I'm not even put off by the religious connotations of Eden, but I was considering what impression that may leave, like if it's a fundamentalist fave. Which is maybe silly, since the one Eden I met irl was not like that at all, and people can just talk to me and see I'm not, either (also I didn't even think of Barbara Eden).
I like frumpy cute! One thing that appeals to me about Frida is that it feels like a vintage name that'll come back, kinda like Eleanor.
And I've considered Edwina before...like the opposite of the character from Ab Fab, who changed it from Edwina to Edina to sound more hip and young. I like how it looks, the etymology, and the -WIN-uh pronunciation, but the -WEEEN- is unappealing to me. I've also thought of Edvina, since it reflects my heritage or whatever, without being exclusively Hungarian. Though it (along with Edvarda, Edelgard) have very bold, kinda hot vibes that I'd appreciate on someone else, but wouldn't really fit me, lol.
Did it take awhile to find the name you chose? Or did one stick out to you and make you realize "oh, that fits me"?
It did take me a long time; I'm SO indecisive, and I kept looking for a name to "jump out" at me, but nothing ever did. I never had any magical, spiritual moment of finding THE ONE, though I sure tried! Like you, I liked a lot of things but didn't think I could pull them off, because I am extremely boring.
One thing I would do differently, if I did it again, is not worry so much about that. I wish I had been a little more bold with my choice, because I realize I actually love it when people don't "match" their names. I played it safe, and I regret that now.
I agree with you about Frida, I think it'll become cool again. You'd be ahead of the trends! Eden doesn't give me fundamentalist vibes; quite the opposite, actually. It feels very fashionable.
One thing I would do differently, if I did it again, is not worry so much about that. I wish I had been a little more bold with my choice, because I realize I actually love it when people don't "match" their names. I played it safe, and I regret that now.
I agree with you about Frida, I think it'll become cool again. You'd be ahead of the trends! Eden doesn't give me fundamentalist vibes; quite the opposite, actually. It feels very fashionable.
I think you are way overthinking it, and you actually may not be ready to change your name; you've gone by Edina all your life so far, so it actually is connected to you. That and Edie; you've never answered to anything else.
When people are serious about changing their names, they generally are much more sure about what they want to change to and why and they are far less worried about possible sound-alikes or initials. I mean, Edie and erectile-dysfunction/eating disorder initials and you may want to work in the medical field is quite a stretch, and tells me you're reaching, trying to give yourself a reason to not go by your own current name.
It's fine to change your name, if you are actually serious about wanting to, and you don't mind the legal ramifications of it.
You could start going by a different nn for Edina, to sound different but not have to start from scratch. How about Dina/Deena/Dena? It's short, but less "tweety" than Edie. And less related to Edith. And it's used often enough as a full name that it doesn't feel overly formal.
When people are serious about changing their names, they generally are much more sure about what they want to change to and why and they are far less worried about possible sound-alikes or initials. I mean, Edie and erectile-dysfunction/eating disorder initials and you may want to work in the medical field is quite a stretch, and tells me you're reaching, trying to give yourself a reason to not go by your own current name.
It's fine to change your name, if you are actually serious about wanting to, and you don't mind the legal ramifications of it.
You could start going by a different nn for Edina, to sound different but not have to start from scratch. How about Dina/Deena/Dena? It's short, but less "tweety" than Edie. And less related to Edith. And it's used often enough as a full name that it doesn't feel overly formal.
Yes, of course I'm technically connected to my name, that's why I said I don't *feel* connected to it. Starting from scratch (or near from scratch) is a bit of the point for me, as I didn't grow up in a healthy environment. I started going by Edie during a time when I separated from that and developed more autonomy, so I feel more "connected" to that in terms of accomplishments, what loved ones I kept or met call me by, etc. Which is why I'd like to keep that as a nn, but I'm sure (have been for awhile) I don't want to keep my full name. I'm not planning or changing it next month- or even next year- I'd just like to explore options.
And I have plenty of personal reasons for changing it from Edina, that have nothing to do with famous/fictional associations or medical abbreviations. Those ones I listed are some hesitations I have about exclusively going by Edie, like I do now. And yeah, I did overthink a lot of them- but I see/have used both E.D.s a lot already in my entry level classes. It's not a big deal, it didn't put me off going by it; it just kind of adds to the lack of formality for me. I still second-guess myself a lot due to how I was raised- so me feeling sure about not keeping my first name says a lot, but overthinking a lot of little reasons about something I like doesn't. I was just curious if those little things had any weight, not if I'm actually wrong about what I stated to be uncomfortable with.
And I have plenty of personal reasons for changing it from Edina, that have nothing to do with famous/fictional associations or medical abbreviations. Those ones I listed are some hesitations I have about exclusively going by Edie, like I do now. And yeah, I did overthink a lot of them- but I see/have used both E.D.s a lot already in my entry level classes. It's not a big deal, it didn't put me off going by it; it just kind of adds to the lack of formality for me. I still second-guess myself a lot due to how I was raised- so me feeling sure about not keeping my first name says a lot, but overthinking a lot of little reasons about something I like doesn't. I was just curious if those little things had any weight, not if I'm actually wrong about what I stated to be uncomfortable with.
maybe Adiel, or just Adele?
Those are both pretty, though I know an Adele.