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.
This message was edited 3/3/2024, 9:15 AM