Transgender Talk: What’s In a Name?

So I’ve a had a few people ask why I decided upon the name ‘Zoey’, and it’s not a bad little story, so you know what? I’ll tell you!

Transgender Talk: What’s In a Name?

In the first few weeks of coming out as transgender, Kelly and I stayed up for hours and hours on end chatting about all the different things to do with me and my situation. We spoke about how long I had felt this way, how far I wanted to go with regards to my transition and when things would get started.

At first neither of us wanted to rush into anything, and I guess, even though to the outside world we may have, we talked so much that it was not a swift decision for us. As things progressed, we started talking names. I wanted something feminine but also edgy as (as some of you may know) I am a rock singer as well! We laughed and joked about a lot of different names and put a couple into a mixing pot! It was so strange for me, trying to imagine myself with a different name, being called in the street, in the house or at work – it was weird! As we tried a few out, I was a little worried nothing would feel right. Let’s be honest here, I had spent 38 years of my life with one name and now I was getting the chance to choose my own, and a bloody female one at that!

One night, Kelly mentioned the name Zoe and how when she was younger she had always wanted that name for herself. It took me back a bit, because I had also fantasised about the name and imagined what it would have been like if I had been a girl when I was younger.

We kept saying the name, and eventually it stuck.

At the time I was writing a little bit of a journal to get some of my thoughts and feelings down and I just started writing the name over and over again. I still wanted to have a feminine element to my name and thought a lot about the name Emelia. It was beautiful and soft and classic, just what I wanted for myself. So there it was, Zoe Emelia Allen, Zoe Emelia Allen, Zoe Emelia, Allen, Zoe Emelia A…

Something still didn’t feel right…

It needed… something… something more…

…more… curly!

I always wanted a curly name! Something with some feeling. A “Y”!!!

That was it! That was what it needed! As soon as I put the curly “Y” at the end of Zoe I knew it was perfect. I wrote it over and over again, putting hearts and kisses and all sorts with it until I was happy.

So, I changed my name by deed poll at the beginning of February 2019 officially to Zoey Emelia Allen. Perfect!

It took a little time for my nearest and dearest people to adjust, but everyone has been fab. Now all I have to contend with are those who still need a little education, and those who forget the “Y”, even when it’s at the top of the message group or in my email address!!!!

So there it is, the story of how I chose my name…

How did you choose yours?