Name Choice

[Beyond_BB_Birthday]

Hey guys. I'm an FTM, I'm 17 and still in high school.

I was born with the name "Samantha". Every time I see or hear it I want to scream. Ever since I came out (about 9 months ago) I've been using "Sam" as a short form of Samuel. I always thought that when I change my name that Samuel will be my new name, just because it's convenient. (Most of my friends already called me 'Sam' to begin with so it's easier.)

Lately I've been feeling like I should pick a non-unisex name. That way if people find out my name they don't wonder if I'm male or female like they do now. Also, "Sam" is starting to remind me of my legal name, which I hate. At the same time, if I were to pick a male name I'd have to tell everyone I've picked a new name and go through a bunch of administration stuff at school. "Sam" is more convenient, but I'm not sure if I'd want it to be my male name forever.

Any advice? How did you pick your new names? Anyone else with a unisex name?

[MonochromeShine]

What about using Sam at school, at least for as long as it takes to get out, then legally change it? You can spend the time at school figuring out what new name you want, and then have your friends call you by it so you start answering to it before you change completely.

I'm not much help about the name picking though--I looked up a bunch of obscure names and found I liked a lot of them and wound up with Fritz because I already answer to it sometimes >.<

[Alder]

My name is Samantha as well, which may be partially why I'm actually responding but that's beside the point!
I've never gone by my full name, it's just....silly to me, and way to formal so I've always been Sam/sami/sammy. Like yourself the first legal choice is Samual(I like the a instead of e..just because.) due to ease of well just about everything, even my middle name will just be turned masculine "ann" into "anthony"... However, it's just not a name which /suits/ me. I go by Alder, everywhere to everyone. It's a name which was given to me by my brother about 10 years ago, and everyone says it suits me very well... however, I'm not sure how I would like it as my legal name since I feel it's a bit of a blow to my parents completely tossing the name they gave me away.

Being 17 I feel it's safe to assume you've not much time left in highschool? I wouldn't worry to much about paperwork for such things then, and spend the time finding a name in which you do like to be called, possibly ask your parents what your name could have been if you where born male bodied? It may help them as well feel more a part of your "new" self.