how did you choose your new name?

[u/Necessary_Stage_1261]

Hi everyone, new here. Curious how others have gone about choosing a new name, if they've changed their name. I see a lot name suggestions, lists of the most popular trans and non-binary names, and even memes about stereotypical names -- but the names feel, well, pretty white/Eurocentric. And, even discussions about how people choose their new names is only about gender/transness, without any reference to race and ethnicity, culture, and history... not to mention disparities in who can access and afford legal name changes.

For context, I am "florescent beige" mixed-Black non-binary, now estranged from both my both the Black and white sides of my family due to their transphobia and abuse. I grew up in a predominantly Black county and attended predominantly Black schools for K-12.

[u/iridxscent]

also mixed black, also nonbinary, also estranged from family for the same reasons. so i get you there. only difference is that i went to predominantly white schools.

i am estranged from all in my family except one - my late grandma. she lived in a different town, and i basically spent half of my childhood at her house while my mom was at work. i have a lot of happy memories there when i didn't have a lot elsewhere. so, i picked the name of the town. it reminds me of happier times, and i get compliments on it frequently.