Man Goin Round Takin Names

Post Date

Wed, 06/03/2015 - 09:27

Categories

Lifestyle

Thirty-five years ago, I had a friend, maybe just a regular acquaintance, who decided to change her name fom Linda to Caitlin. Some "spiritual adviser" had told the new name had better "whatever" for her. I thought it was the stupidest thing I had heard. Anyway, her name wasn't unappealing before but she changed it.

Of course, I've had the good fortune of being given great names, not just Cayce Crown, but Catherine Calder Crown, quite regal really. Think I have a great career writing romance novels.

I knew a friend of my sweetheart who got married and changed her name to her husbands, certainly a commonplace thing. I've never understood this, let him change his name. i know its "easier" when the whole family has the same last name. However, this was a forward thinking woman, so i challenged her on why she was changing her name. She had just finished chiropractic school, her husband's name was Alter, why wouldn't she want to be Dr. Wacker, her birth name? LOL. That I understand, a chiropractor named Dr. Wacker probably wouldn't do too well...

Ok, so Caitlyn Jenner is doing something far more profound than just changing her name.

Caitlyn Jenner is taking a leap, I don't even fully understand, but I support her 1000%. Nothing more powerful than knowing yourself and finding yourself and being proud of who you really are. I wish her well.

And the other Caitlin, she changed her name again to Sister Whatchamacallit, when she joined some new guru...

Comments

Fred Klein

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I would like to add Ulysses to my names

Vik Rajan

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yes, I giggle whenever I meet some grownup hippie who has taken the name Shiva or Jivamurti or whatever... growing up on white Long Island, I anglicized my name to Vik, and yet a few asanas & incense sticks later, they complicate their names. However, I regard gender identity a bit more seriously than devi (or diva) awakening... my bias I get it.

Cayce Crown

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Old joke, keep it at the Friars and give us a serious response.

Cheri Elferis

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A rose by any other name...

Rona Gura

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I changed my last name both times I got married and I do view myself as a feminist. What was important to me, each time, that it was my decision to make. And each time I made the decision, I made it for different reasons with no pressure from my then fiancee.

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Donna Levine wrote
I didn't change my name for a lot of reasons. One was it just wouldn't have been me anymore. That being said having the choice is a wonderful thing. I think when you are making the journey that Ms. Jenner is making it is an essential part of your identity and part of the trip.

Corey Bearak

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Fred, I muse why......so you enjoy a new first middle name.....

Corey Bearak

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People change names for personal reason. Recall Jim McGuinn became Roger. Sometimes you might even change from formal name to nickname and back and even incorporate your middle initial. The Eagles' (well for me former Poco) Timothy B. Schmit has been Tim and Timmy before settling' down on Timothy B.
I suspect the new Jenner name reflects much though and a clean break from the past. And no one can doubt the new name goes with the current identification.

David Abeshouse

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Fred's subtlety knows no bounds. (Specifically, to make it clear, he wishes to add it as his first middle name, before his given middle name, "Charles." Think about it....) ;^)

Tessa Marquis

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If you see Kay...

Tessa Marquis

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I was once signing a contract and the attorney stopped me and said "You have to sign your real name". I have no middle name so I had my high school diploma inscribed "Tessa Zinjanthropus Marquis" in honor of Dr. Leakey and his wife. I didn't take my husband's last name for several reasons - 1. His last name is Brown. 2. I was in my 30s and used to spelling my original name. 3. I loved my Daddy more than any man (that last reason usually creeps people out).

Back to the main thread: I have an acquaintance who changed her name from Chris to Susan when she transitioned, which seemed unnecessary but was a statement about her break from the past. I have a friend who remained Alex when he transitioned.

It's all about Choice. The right to your own choices is what it's all about, friends!

Victoria Drogin

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Love the whole Caitlyn Jenner transition. She has the platform to be a great voice and use her power for good. Glad she didn't spell it with a K. ;)