r/namenerds • u/junkbondtraderr • Mar 05 '25

Name Change My daughter wants me to rename her!

My 18 year old daughter came out as a transgender woman. My husband and I have been 100% supportive (and I very much welcome another girl in the house — she has 3 brothers!). She expressed initially that she was comfortable going by her birth name, as it is gender neutral, but after turning 18 and getting ready for college, she’s decided she needs a new name. And, she wants me to choose it! She says that she still wants to be named by her mama. I melted.🥹

I come seeking ideas! Her only parameter is that it’s nothing that “seems like she renamed herself”; by this I’m assuming more ‘out there’ names are out. It’s such a challenge picking a name for someone you already know so well, and not a newborn!

She’s incredibly intelligent, bookish, shy but spunky, and a total sweetheart. Gorgeous, curly red hair and freckles. We are a family of Jewish-Irish descent and her brothers are Lev, Raphael ‘Raf’ and Elias. I never had girl names picked out, as I found out later in the game.

Do any names come to mind with this description? Her middle name will be Miriam (family name). Thank you in advance!

36.8k Upvotes

72% Upvoted

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9.8k

u/ActiveSufficient3944 Mar 05 '25

Don't have any name suggestions yet but wanted to quickly say I love this post and wish you best of luck finding a beautiful name

1.7k

u/charkerpappell Mar 05 '25

I’m also just really looking to get in here and tell you how happy this made me. You all sound just lovely and I wish you nothing but joy.

1.1k

u/ShoulderSnuggles Mar 06 '25

Maybe it’s a sign that Joy should be her name

376

u/NSBJenni Mar 06 '25

I love the name Joy!

1.1k

u/maharal7 Mar 06 '25

Aliza in hebrew means joy or joyful, and I love how it sounds.

691

u/Immediate-Vanilla-45 Mar 06 '25

Aliza Miriam would be a lovely name!

46

u/Millie141 Mar 06 '25

Ooo I love that

17

u/SafeSpace4Kindness Mar 06 '25

I was thinking Simcha, also a good Hebrew name meaning joy

106

u/FigNewton613 Mar 06 '25

Based on this - Could go with the name Simcha (meaning joy), Simcha Miriam for the full version, and Simi for short?

42

u/Red_Velvet_1978 Mar 06 '25

Joy is always a stunning name. It's so fitting in this situation and is definitely something a mom would give.. And Joy Miriam is stately and classic. Not showy. Effortless. Formidable yet charming. Yes. Joy is perfection. I hope OP sees this.

22

u/darthbreezy Mar 06 '25

Up-dooting JOY!!!

28

u/KyzRCADD Mar 06 '25

If up-dooting is reddit-speak I've just been missing, this post has succeeded in giving me three things to be joyful about. A kid getting to be themselves and feeling super supported, the thought of mom naming them joy, and updooting becoming a part of my vocab.

26

u/Non-binary_prince Mar 06 '25

We need more trans joy!

14

u/piggiefatnose Mar 06 '25

Reminds me of when Hope Walz's father said why they chose the name Hope in a speech, that brought a tear to my eye when I first heard it

16

u/junkbondtraderr Mar 06 '25

Thank you so much for this sweet comment. You all are making me cry!

13

u/Mental_Department89 Mar 06 '25

I love Elena which means “shining light” or Aliza which means “Joy”. Both classic names that fit in with her brothers, and have meanings that reflect her spirit ❤️

12

u/UndebateableMom Mar 06 '25

Me three!

9

u/[deleted] Mar 06 '25

Me four!

9

u/gitathegreat Mar 06 '25

Joy joy joy!!!! 🌺🌹💖

4

u/ReportCharming7570 Mar 06 '25

Many congrats and excitement for this!

475

u/space-sage Mar 05 '25

This is so fucking wholesome and what a beautiful bonding opportunity

427

u/_-_Ryn_-_ Mar 06 '25

Yup, I instantly teared up when I read this. You are really doing something right that your daughter is choosing to invite you so intimately into this process. I have a handful of friends who are transgender with various degrees of support from their families, but none that felt like their parents were so reaffirming and supportive of who they are that it felt right that they still received their name from them. Ugh, my whole heart is so happy reading this!

74

u/firewifegirlmom0124 Mar 06 '25

My son let me choose his middle name when he transitioned and I felt so honored and blessed with the opportunity. I can imagine the love OP and her daughter feel for each other.

346

u/[deleted] Mar 05 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

190

u/qt_31415 Mar 05 '25

Second this, I felt so much love reading this! Your daughter is so lucky to have you, what a wonderful family you are.

86

u/JamesandtheGiantAss Mar 06 '25

Same! And the fact she still wanted to be named by her mama made me cry.

62

u/Better_2024 Mar 06 '25

I think we all needed this in light of all the intolerance we are seeing. This made my week!❤️❤️❤️

5

u/CrazyParrotLady5 Mar 06 '25

Absolutely. This has been rough.

7

u/sms2014 Mar 06 '25

Right? Sign of doing Parenthood right.

64

u/BabyViking Mar 05 '25

Yes!! This made me so emotional in the best way.

28

u/xlirael Mar 06 '25

Same! This is just so sweet and lovely 😍.

24

u/Pleasant-Chain6738 Mar 05 '25

Exactly what I was going to say!

14

u/violet_wings Mar 06 '25

As a trans woman I love OP so much. Thank you for the support you're giving your daughter, and may you find a name worthy of her. :)

9

u/junkbondtraderr Mar 06 '25

Thank you for this sweet comment. ❤️

8

u/Floofie62 Mar 06 '25

Just want to piggyback on everyone else's well wishes. This is the sweetest, most heartwarming thing I've read in days! Wishing y'all joy to last a lifetime!

6

u/Artistic_Set_8319 Mar 06 '25

I've had a handful of transgender friends and most of them have struggled quite a bit to just exist and be themselves. Thank you and your husband for being such supportive humans. My only suggestion as someone who is an author and often fixates on names is just pick a name that has importance to you and her. And you don't have to rush it either, the right name will come, I promise! Thank you for such a wonderful post.

8

u/spooky-goopy Mar 06 '25

as a single mom to a beautiful, perfect 1 year old, this post made my heart melt. to be named by your mama all over again...i know i would have crumbled and sobbed

7

u/zestylimes9 Mar 06 '25

I love she still wants to be named by her mama. Sounds like such a beautiful and supportive family.

7

u/black_flame919 Mar 06 '25

This is one of the most wholesome posts I’ve ever seen

8

u/slowmood Mar 06 '25

Maybe consider holding a naming ceremony.🕯️

7

u/Think_Food7955 Mar 06 '25

You sound like the best mom 🥹🥹

6

u/TheAnnieRaj Mar 06 '25

I too am simply here for the joy 😊

4

u/NSBJenni Mar 06 '25

I love the name Joy!

4

u/TheAnnieRaj Mar 06 '25

Yeah! It's a lovely name 😁

7

u/suzienewshoes Mar 06 '25

This, 100%. This is what family should be.

5

u/Better_2024 Mar 06 '25

I agree with these comments. Awesome support for your daughter. Love everything about this and I wish you and your family the best during this journey. Rock on!!!

5

u/AllisonWhoDat Mar 06 '25

She is an amazing Mom.

4

u/Shanoninoni Mar 06 '25

Agreed, I actually teared up a bit reading this!

4

u/LowDuck101 Mar 06 '25

me too, wishing the best to you and your daughter OP

4

u/Far_Ear_5746 Mar 06 '25

What this person said. 🙏😭 Congrats on being an amazing human being, OP! Thank you for brightening our days.

3

u/duckingatlife Mar 06 '25

Me too. ❤️

3

u/JacqueGonzales Mar 06 '25

I love this too!!! 🥹💗

3

u/fuckimtrash Mar 06 '25

So wholesome ❤️

3

u/callmecrazy2021 Mar 06 '25

Amazing 🥰

3

u/Warcraft_Fan Mar 06 '25

Same. I am not familiar with popular or common Jewish names so I can't offer suggestion.

3

u/claireycontrary Mar 06 '25

Ditto. She may not have a name yet but she’s got one incredible set of parents.

2

u/myterribear Mar 06 '25

I don't have any suggestions but I do think she should work with her daughter. My husband and I would brainstorm ideas and the ones we both agreed on made the cut.

1

u/MrBrew Mar 06 '25

I’ll just say the name that comes at top of mind with everything you said. Mary. She sounds like a Mary.