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How does this name sound?

Discussion in 'Gender Identity and Expression' started by bubbles123, Dec 11, 2016.

  1. bubbles123

    bubbles123 Guest

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    Hi guys, so I'm AFAB. Not really sure about the whole gender thing right now but I just really don't like my name because it's very feminine and becoming increasingly more uncomfortable for me to use. I'm considering several names to use, but my favorite is Riley. My only concern is that I'm still seen as a girl by everyone despite my more androgynous presentation. I'm just worried that even though Riley is a gender-neutral name, it will still get read as being more feminine when attached to me, and I've even heard some people say they have only heard it as a girl's name. What do you guys think about the name?
     
  2. RedRabbit

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    Being honest, I've only met one boy reliey, and a lot more female. Don't worry about settling on a name right away. I've tried out 4 different names before I found one that I like.
     
  3. baristajedi

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    I don't actually know any Rileys. It sounds neutral to me but I suppose it depends on how many women/men have that name.

    I agree that you don't need to find the name you settle on right away, experimenting with using different names can help a lot.
     
  4. Creativemind

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    Riley is one of my favorite names, though I prefer it on boys. It's pretty gender neutral and was originally a male name.
     
  5. Spot

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    I've heard Riley on boys and girls, it's probably one of the most androgynous names I could think of so it's fine to me :slight_smile:
     
  6. Rickystarr

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    I've acrually only met a guy named Riley. I think it's kinda starting to become one of those 'trans names' though. But it's not too bad.
     
  7. Hawk

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    I like the name Riley, I only know one guy named Riley.
     
  8. bubbles123

    bubbles123 Guest

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    Thanks guys, this helps! Maybe I'll just try it out for a bit then.
     
  9. Reciprocal

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    I see Riley as a primarily male name, but I'm in the UK (it seems to be different in the States).
     
  10. KitSylph

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    I think Riley is a great name in general, but if you're being read as female a lot, it seems like it might make things harder. It sounds like the point of choosing a new name is to feel and communicate your boy-ness. I think there will be a lot of situations where the name Riley won't carry that for you. Are there other names you really like, that feel like you and really reinforce your boy nature?

    Having said all that, I think if you love the name Riley, other people's opinions (like mine) don't matter, and you should go for it.