Archive replies to: Your name

My story is a bit like Samantha's. My name came about at about the time I discovered the World Wide Web – the internet. Although at first I resisted this technology as unnecessary, the insistence of my children, especially my son, who was undertaking higher level education, and the advice from some close friends who were familiar with it, saw us purchase our first computer. Soon we were ‘on line’ and a whole new world opened up to me.

As part of that process I’d been told about the ability to correspond in real time with people all over the world by way of chat rooms. It was the existence of such facilities that took me in a whole new direction.

One night I connected to the internet, logged on to a search engine and typed in cross dressing. I’m not completely sure what I was looking for, perhaps I just wanted to know if there were others like me beyond the very limited examples I’d read about in sensationalist press articles. One of the references that came up, though, had the word ‘chatroom’ in it so that is the link I clicked on.

Before I knew it I was at a log in screen that called for me to provide a screen name. Until that point I had never thought of myself in female terms. I had always considered that I was just a man in women’s clothes but at that screen I was stumped. Certainly, I didn’t want to type in my own name and I felt another man’s name would be inappropriate, yet had no idea what female name to give myself. I also saw that I needed to provide an email address and there was no way I’d risk compromise of my usual home email address. In the short term I panicked, closed the chat site and had a think about what to do.

My limited experience to that time told me that I could create a hotmail account using alternate details so I resolved to do so. The next task was to come up with a name but surprisingly that turned out to be quite easy. Years earlier I’d seen the James Bond movie Live and Let Die in which the main female lead was played by the actress Jane Seymour. The actress had borrowed her name from the third wife of England’s King Henry VIII. That Jane Seymour had been King Henry’s favourite because she had borne him a son. The actress appealed to me not only for her beauty but for her strength of character and for her work with people with disabilities.

I thus decided that my femme side would be a stronger character than the male host I’d come to dislike. For simplicity, and to avoid any suggestion that I was trying to impersonate the still-living actress I abbreviated the name. From that day I became JaneS.

Skyler is the name my mom would of picked if she ever gave birth to a daughter.

My name was derived from a lost key chain I found back in high school.   While it wasn't my first girl name, it is the ONLY one I have work in public as a real girl.   I was joining a web site back in 2005 and needed a: a girl name and b: a name that was new and unique to me.  The name on the key chain was Rosa Lee and my first choice for a girl name was Rosalie.   Well, that name was already taken so I dropped the 'e' and substituted the 'y.'   Viola.  That name was available.   My middle name was a long time favorite name.  I have always loved Lynne (in its various spellings) and a former girlfriend was named Lynne.  Hence my girl name: Rosaliy Lynne.

I've tried feminized versions of my given names but nothing really ever felt right.  But then a name sorta fell in my lap.  My wife and I used to have a cleaning lady named Dayle.  On the evening before the day Dayle came to clean we would pick up clutter to make her job a little easier, so we would say to each other 'let's pick up for Dayle'.   She decided to retire at about the same time I retired, and since we needed to cut back on some expenses I became the house cleaner.  So I became 'Dayle' and cleaning day has become my day to dress up.

wow Dayle.  kewl way to pick a name.  Lucky you to have a supportive wife too.

Rosaliy - yes I am very lucky to have a wife that understands my need to dress en femme.  She doesn't want me to go out of the house (secretly I want to go out but I will respect her wishes).  I also try not to overdo it with her.  She knows I dress up on cleaning day and normally I have changed back by the time she gets home from work.  But occasionally I feel just sooooo good en femme that I stay dressed for her.  She critiques my new outfits and makeup and has even gone out and bought similar outfits for herself.  I guess the important thing I have learned is to be open and honest with her.  It helps her to understand me better.

you are quite right.  Openness and honesty are the keys along with constant dialog.   Respect and trust are strengthened in this way and the relationship will prosper.

In time, perhaps, you and she may just have a girls night out together. One never knows how time will change you both.

Good luck and be yourself above all.

I have always loved the name Nicole. When it came time to give my fem side a name... Nicole it is.

I always loved Heather for some reason. No personal connection but I've owned it since I was about 15.

Considered Terri at one point because I had a girlfriend at the time who was the sweetest. Happiest. Good hearted person I have ever known even to this day  unfortunately I screwed up what could have been my true love

Heather.

I have done that a time or two - screwed up something that started out good.  three times actually and each time I kicked myself for having been so stupid.  Part of growing up I guess.

Jenny came from 2 things.. The 1st time I looked at a woman and thought to myself Id like that dress she is wearing..her name was Jenny.   And its coincidentally the name an ex called me when she "talked"  me in to dressing up. Both were when I was a teenager

Cool Jenny-if I'd done that then I might have been Traci  or Geri (the two girls I admired and wanted to BE!) instead of  Cynthia!

Hi. My name came from a very nice, warm lady I met years ago while traveling to London. She was a doll and so as a tribute to her I found I was comfortable as Margo.

Hi - Similar story to yours. Back in February of this year, I asked my Mom if she had picked a girls name for me in case I was born a girl. And she immediately answered "Krista". And I just love it. I wish I asked her sooner. Mom passed away five weeks ago and it is more special to me. Everyone tell your Mom you love her and give her a hug!!!

And hugs to all the moms who've gone to glory like mine. Love you, Mother!