If you could give yourself a new first name, what would you name yourself. Mine would be Elizabeth

[debm55]

[SarahD]

1. I would do Sarah

Oh, wait. That's already taken.

[debm55]

2. Good!

[tblue37]

120. I like my first name too much to change it.

[Jilly_in_VA]

3. Elizabeth

It's my middle name, but it was my mother's name so I guess they didn't want two in the family. I wouldn't mind my first name so much if my parents would have used the Scottish diminutive for it, which is Jenny.

[debm55]

5. Thank you, I didn't know that.

[LisaM]

4. Probably Bridget or Caroline. I like both.

My first name IS Elizabeth, so this thread is already making me laugh.

[spooky3]

6. People would break out in song if you picked Caroline. ☺️

[LisaM]

9. Yeah, I suppose they would now.

I still like it.

[PJMcK]

89. That's sweet!

(wink)

[debm55]

7. Both of your choices are great, TY

[spooky3]

8. Something easily spelled and pronounced, unlike my current name. Nt

[debm55]

10. Sorry about that. Could you have used your middle name?

[spooky3]

15. 🙂didn't like it, either. I just got used to spelling my first name and letting people use

The pronunciation they wanted.

[MiHale]

11. I'd just switch my first name for my second name...

Charles is my first after my Dad, not to get confused with a couple of Charley’s, my parents decided to go with my second name, Gregory. I’m known as Greg to everyone but “Official” places, credit cards, doctors, so on and so forth.
I’ve always wanted to be able to use it exclusively but I’d go with the formal Lithuanian Gregoras as the choice.

[debm55]

14. Thank you . I like ethnic names. They are beautiful.

[Niagara]

12. I'm going to be honest.

I didn't have an appreciation for my first name until this year. It took my long enough to appreciate it.


And then suddenly a few in person friends as well as a few online friends literally call me by my name and it sounds extraordinary and soothing!


Now I'm feeling like my middle name can go take a flying leap lol. I'm only teasing that my middle name can go take a flying leap.

[debm55]

13. Love ya.

[Niagara]

16. Love ya, Debbie!

[MOMFUDSKI]

17. I will stick with Dawn - my given name.

My mom was going to name me Penelope but a good friend beat her to it. I would’ve been happy with Penny though. My kids are Jac and Jill. What’s in a name? lol

[debm55]

19. Dawn is a beautiful name

[MOMFUDSKI]

32. Thanks.

I have been happy with it

[hlthe2b]

18. I always found it fascinating to see which names came in and out of favor by each decade...

based on census data. Some really beautiful names (likewise nice ones for men) have been pretty much lost to any common use in the US and Europe. My sister's name and mine are a bit like that, but though we both dislike our middle names, I like the first names. So, no changes here.

[debm55]

20. Thank you hlthe2b

[Wicked Blue]

21. Linda nt

[debm55]

23. Thank Wicked Blue.

[doc03]

22. Egbert. nt

[debm55]

24. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA , for real???

[doc03]

25. Someone a couple days ago said to name a TV charactor and see if

anyone could name the show. Nobody even made a guess.

[debm55]

28. doc03 I myself didn't know there was a TY character by that name either.

[doc03]

37. In the old TV series from the 50s "The Life of Riley", Riley's best friend Jim

Gilles always talked about his son Egbert. From what I could find he only appeared in 1 episode. The actor's name was
Gregory Marshall, I couldn't even find a picture of him. I always remembered that name because Gilles talked about Egbert all the time. I would be the only other person ever named Egbert.

[Rebl2]

96. I know one

NORM! I think if you liked ‘80’s comedies, you know this.

[doc03]

106. Cheers

[Rebl2]

110. Yep! Cheers!

[debm55]

108. HAHAHAHAHAH. NORM. in Cheers.

[Rebl2]

109. Yep

Cheers to yo in the new year!

[LudwigPastorius]

26. I'd only change if I could change both names.

I'd change to something like, Flint Ironstag, Bolt Vanderhuge, or Slate Fistcrunch.

[debm55]

29. HAHAHAHAHAHAHaHa You are so funny.

[LudwigPastorius]

41. Awww....

[Cartoonist]

27. Bram

Doesn't really fit my last name, but I'll take it.

[debm55]

30. Bram---I like it.

[brewens]

31. Anything but Sue!

[debm55]

44. Yes , if your a guy. Ty

[LoisB]

33. Marcella.

I always disliked my name (Lois) because it's such an old name. Now that I'm old, I guess it fits.

[debm55]

45. Thank you, LoisB.

[Chainfire]

34. My wife's first name is Elizabeth, she has always used her middle name.

[debm55]

46. I still like Elizabeth. My birth certificate says Devora, but I have gone by the English version. Thank you and say

hello to your Elizabeth.

[nocoincidences]

35. I've always liked the L sound,

so I think I would go with Lily.

My fave aunt was named Lillian, too.

[debm55]

47. Lily/Lillian is such a beautiful name. TY

[retread]

36. Nimrod.

[debm55]

48. HAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAH You are too much

[First Speaker]

38. Spangler...

...as in Spangler Arlington Brugh, real name of famous no-talent pretty face actor Robert Taylor. I don't know, or care, if the name is ugly or not. Just how cool would it be to be named Spangler Arlington Brugh...?

[debm55]

49. Let me think about it. ______Okay if you like it. TY

[MyMission]

39. Funny you asked!!! I like my name.

My name is quite unusual, I used to think of changing it when I was a kid, but grew to appreciate how unique it was...until fairly recently, when a huge corporation stole my name and now it's recognized everywhere!!! And they mispronounce it!!!!

So I've been joking about stealing their name, and changing mine to...Facebook,
but only joking because I really don't want to be called Facebook.

And now I've revealed my true name to you. It rhymes with beta, theta, zeta; long "A"
After 60+ years I'm not changing it!!! It's a German variant of Margaret.

Many years ago I worked with a Deborah, Not Deb, Debbie, Debra. She was firm about that, but she was always mispronouncing my name no matter how often I corrected her. So, I started to call her by a nickname, which got her to give me the same courtesy she expected from others, saying my name correctly. Now that my name is globally known and mispronounced, I'm not thrilled....Poor me! Lol

[debm55]

50. My real name is Devora, after my great grandmother. Is it Margot? Ty

[MyMission]

66. I was named for my father's mother

Her English name was Minnie, but she was called Maida, which means girl in Yiddish. My dad named me Meta, which sounds like Maida. It's a short version of Margaret.

Here's some fun information.
Origin:German
Other Origin(s):Greek
Meaning: Pearl; Mint; After, beyond
Meta is an original and standout name for girls. It has multiple sources across the globe, the main origin being German, where it means "pearl." As a Lithuanian name, Meta means "mint." Meta is a Greek word meaning "beyond, after," often associated with positive change, possibility, and evolution. A child bearing the name Meta is bound to evolve and flourish as they make their way in the world. A pearl is something rare, precious, and filled with wisdom, just like your wonderful little girl.
https://www.thebump.com/b/meta-baby-name

There's also now a Wikipedia page about my name!
Just found it! Knew about some but not all on the list.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta_(name)

[debm55]

67. What a beautiful post. My Hebrew version means bee. It;s funny but there are different ways of pronouncing both

Deb-or-ah or Deb-ra or Dev- or-ah

[Jilly_in_VA]

104. I always thought if I had twin girls

I'd name them Deborah and Melissa. They mean the same thing in different languages...honey bee.

[debm55]

105. That is beautiful. TY

[freesqueeze]

40. Butch or Elliot

Actually I think it would be cool if my friends would call me "Butch" and when prodded I would admit that my given name was "Elliot."

https://www.deviantart.com/freesqueeze

[debm55]

55. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Butch/Elliot kind of opposites--are they supposed to be? I like it.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

42. Korgon The Brain Eater! C'mere a minute.

[debm55]

56. Hermit-The -Prog are you serious????????

[Hermit-The-Prog]

74. Of course. A moderate diet of brains maintains my youthful complexion.

[debm55]

75. Oh you

[NBachers]

43. As a kid, I was secretly horrified that my name Neil was a short version, and my real name was Cornelius. If the kids

ever found out, I'd never hear the end of it.

I was relieved when my birth certificate confirmed that I'm really Neil.

But, years later, I found out my Irish Catholic mom had me baptized as Cornelius. Don't tell anyone!

But now, at this late part of my life, Cornelius would give me big cred in the Irish community. So I've made peace with it.

My handle, given to me by my high school buds, was Otto. Many people still know me as Otto.

But I always thought Steve would be great. Everyone gets along with Steve.

[debm55]

57. Yes, Steve is one of those go to names. Though I like Neil even as a grownup name. TY I enjoyed reading your post.

[MOMFUDSKI]

102. My dad's Irish uncle was named Cornelius

but they called him Corny.

[debm55]

103. I like that. Ty. It's funny too

[surrealAmerican]

51. If I did, it would not be ...

... a three syllable name with no decent nickname.

That said, my name's my name, and I'm just too accustomed to it to really want to change it anymore.

[Iris]

52. Margaret

It was the middle name of both of my grandmothers

[debm55]

65. Yes, Margaret is very beautiful. TY

[Diamond_Dog]

53. I'm glad I wasn't named after my maternal grandmother -

Wladyslava.

I like my given name well enough - Kathleen.

[debm55]

61. Diamond_Dog m In English, what is the translation of Wladyslava? TY

[Diamond_Dog]

64. It loosely translates to "Glory", deb

Rooted in Slavic, the name Vladislava comes as a derivative of Vladislav, whose elements vladeti and slava indicate “rule,” “glory,” or, better yet, “one who owns a glory.”

From the web site The Bump.

[Glorfindel]

54. Julius, inhonor of my favorite great-aunt, Julia.

[debm55]

59. Love both the names Julia and Julius. the names have character. TY

[LakeArenal]

58. I like Elizabeth but not Betty or Liz.

There was an actress years ago named Gemma. I like it


I like Luna or Chloe or Lilly.

[debm55]

63. I would use Beth as my nickname for Elizabeth. I like you selection of Lily. It is so sweet.

[sanatanadharma]

60. I've given myself new name many times, and no I am not hiding from the law

I am known by so many different names in different places on the internet, all self-chosen, and all pointing to the same one self I call "I".
That same One-Self known to all who identify as "I".
But if we meet on the street, I'm Herb.

[debm55]

62. Thanks Herb, I think.--if that is your name.

[NNadir]

68. Alcetus.

It would be appropriate, since I long have wished to restore the Kingdom of Epirus to overcome the hegemony of Rome.

I may, however, be a little late for the task.

[debm55]

71. I think you are.-------

[samnsara]

69. Sara

[debm55]

72. Beautiful name.

[3catwoman3]

70. I would love to be Kathleen or Caitlyn.

My first name is Martha, and I’ve never liked it.

Time and time again, if a book, or TV show, or movie wants a cranky, unpleasant female character, she’ll be named Martha/Aunt Martha. A prime example is the current Medicare Advantage ads with the crabby little old lady in the oversized glasses.

The worst use I ever saw of my despised name was in the early 70’s, while I was in nursing school. The back cover of a medical journal showed a little old sour-faced lady, rather like the above mentioned Medicare Martha, sitting on a high, 4-legged wooden stool. It was an ad for the stool softener Colace. The ad said, “For a BM in the AM, give Aunt Martha Colace in the PM.” I was horrified. Couldn’t they have chosen Aunt Bertha, or some other ugly name? Sheesh!

This was 50 years ago, and I can still see that damn ad in my mind’s eye.

A couple of friends whom I first came to know on line, and then in person, call me Cat because of my screen name, which is as close to Kathleen or Caitlyn as I will get. I’ll take it.

[debm55]

73. I love both names. They are classic. I don't like the names/different spelling used today. Thank you for your post.

[FalloutShelter]

76. Mine would be Maleficent.

Why not just go for it?

[debm55]

78. HAHAHHAHAHAHA- --You are funny.

[FalloutShelter]

80. I mean... I could rock those horns.

[Traildogbob]

77. Delete

[debm55]

84. I take offense to change your name from adolf to another. My great grandparents were Jewish and I don't like it. Period

And you give me a half ass reason for doing so. Change the post or I will have it done for you. And I have never done that before. Thank you.

[Dulcinea]

79. Something Shakespearean.

Miranda, Rosalind, Portia, Cassandra...

[debm55]

85. All good choices. TY-----I especially like Cassandra.

[LeftInTX]

81. Karen!!! Ha, just joking

I have some weird names in my family;
Great grandmother: Gulbahar, ---> Couldn't change her name, since she was a "foreign alien" and couldn't become a citizen because she couldn't read or write
Grandmother: Horsig --> Changed name to Hripsime and then Helen
Great Aunt: Nunufar --> Changed name to Nevart
Grandfather: Nerses (My brother got that middle name and was teased to death)

[debm55]

86. May I ask what country --sounds like German. TY

[LeftInTX]

88. Armenian, but the name Gulbahar was Turkish..LOL

[debm55]

92. Thank you

[RainCaster]

82. for me, it's Zorg

My name is too common, so I use this name at the coffee shops.

[Solly Mack]

83. I wouldn't change mine.

[viva la]

87. Rebecca

Several nice nicknames.

[debm55]

91. Very sweet name.

[Rebl2]

99. I am

a Rebecca and did not like my name as a child, but do now. Most call me Becky though. I do like Becca, but was never called that.

[viva la]

107. I like Becky and Becca, but "Becca" sounds more... cool?

And 3 syllables is the right rhythm for a formal name.

I didn't have a daughter, so I didn't get to use the name!

[debm55]

113. Becca is a classy modern name. I like it. Happy New Year

[mnhtnbb]

90. I always wished my parents had named me Elizabeth

so I would have had options to shorten it. Instead, they named me Betty. Zero options. Even worse, when I was little they called me Betty Lou. Agghhhh!!!! My parents weren't even from the South.
We moved across the country (NJ to CA) when I was 14 and I insisted they stop calling me that. And of course, I became known only as Betty to classmates and friends.
I thought about changing my name entirely when I turned 18 and went to college, but there wasn't a name I just loved and felt was me and was worth the hassle of changing legally.

So, had it been Elizabeth, I might have changed nicknames at different points in my life to better reflect who I was during different stages of my life.

[debm55]

93. What a wonderful post. Thank you.

[Rebl2]

94. It would be

Rachel. My mom had a sister by that name and she never had children. I would have, before marriage, been Rachel Ray. If not that name, it would be Sara after another one of my mothers sisters that died when she was a baby.

[debm55]

95. Beautiful name, TY

[Emile]

97. Bartholomew or Herbert

[debm55]

100. Very classy names, Emile. TY

[sakabatou]

98. Alex

At least then I wouldn't have my old nickname.

[debm55]

101. I like Alex classy Ty

[ChazInAz]

111. That's something I've thought on.

I was born in Hungary. We immigrated to America in 1956-1957...you may recall what happened that winter in my homeland. My given name was Karel Radu Danesti Prokopp. (Magyars seem to like long names, probably because of our language!) My parents Americanised us kids' given names: Joszef, Jovanka and Karel became Joseph, Janice and Charles. I prefer to go by my old name, and use Radu Danesti as a stage name occasionally. Legally, it's still Charles.

[debm55]

114. Karel/ Charles is a beautiful name. Have a Blessed New Year.

[jmowreader]

112. Can I pick a new last name instead? I will pick either Jones or Hoffa.

My first name is currently Jim. I'm not thrilled with it - a nice Italianate or German first name like Mauricio or Stefan would be cooler - but the effect on people if you could introduce yourself as Jim Jones or Jimmy Hoffa would be worth it.

[debm55]

115. That is hilarious. Have a great New Year

[CTyankee]

116. Carlotta. I thought it sounded mysterious and glamorous.

I was named after a singer named Jeanette McDonald. Evidently, she was once famous.

[debm55]

117. Carlotta, is a very exotic and beautiful name. Have a very wonderful New Years with your trip .

[yellowdogintexas]

118. At this late point in my life, I would not imaging changing my name

However when I was growing up I hated my name because it was easily corrupted into an extremely annoying nickname. There was also only one other person who had the same name. For some reason, most people seemed to have no clue on the correct pronunciation.

When I got to college I met a few others with the same name and lost the awful nickname and bad pronunciations. Then I moved to Cambridge MA; lots of women with my name. I
had found my tribe!

I still don't know how I would have changed it.

I am named for my grandmothers, and I love my name(s) now. Of course I am Southern so when I heard both my names together I knew I was in trouble.

[debm55]

119. Thank you yellowdogintexas for your insightful post. Wishing you a Happy New Year.

Last edited Sun Dec 31, 2023, 10:28 PM - Edit history (1)

[Dem2theMax]

121. I would never change my first name.

I'm adopted. My birth mother and my adopted parents gave me the exact same first name, without any of them knowing what the other had named me.

My first name is not unusual, but I've never met another person who has my name. I would have to go to France to run into a bunch of people with my name.

I would like to change my middle name. I'd like to get rid of it and replace it with my birth mother's maiden name. Then I would have the original name she gave me, and then the adopted last name at the end.