(no subject)

[wildsiren.livejournal.com]

This is not about a baby but I have a question related to names that has me in quite a pickle.





I am going to be changing my name around the beginning of 2009. Let me preface this by saying this is something I have been thinking about since was 8. I have never wanted to change my entire name, only the first. I chose the name I wanted a little over 5 years ago and have been meditating on it since then to make sure I don't make the wrong choice and that I am happy with it over time before I have it applied to myself permanently. (Much like one should do before having a tattoo).

Every time I have talked about this I've been asked, kindly and not so kindly, to explain my motives. They are as follows:
-I didn't even know I had a first name until I was around 7 or 8
-Upon learning my first name, i felt no attachment.
-When I found out later (12 or so)who i was named after, i felt nothing but embarrassment over it.(an 80s pop star my sister was in love with for all of about 2 weeks prior to my arrival - the pop star has since become queen of crackheads)
-My other sister claimed I was named after her best friend (who years later unfortunately ended up almost ruining my sister's marriage to her husband by having an affair with him and producing a child who will never really get to grow up with her dad)

So really, I just want to get rid of that part of my name and all of the negativity that goes along with it. I know I am myself and not those other people, and that my personality defines what my name means. And to be fair, my first name isn't ugly or anything. However, I would rather name myself something that feels like me, that I can be proud of rather than hope I don't get referred to as. I'd like to be putting my modified name to use as I transition from college to grad school.

The name I chose is of native american origin (as am I) and also the name of a celtic saint. What I need help with is the spelling. I can't decide.

___________Maegan Bell

Tallulah (the proper form of the Native America style)
Talula (simpler)
Tallula ( modernized of the celtic version Tuilelaith)
Tahlula
Talulah

Which do you think works the best with the rest of the name?

If you have any other alternative spellings, opinions, constructive criticism I welcome and appreciate it.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.

(I know the bugsy malone connotations, and that Demi and Bruce's daughter was named that and changed it...these things really don't matter to me. Also, I've gotten a few really unpleasant reactions for wanting this name. If you dislike the name you are more than entitled to your own opinion, however please respect the fact that I chose something I love and have thought over for a long time, and while I will honor your thoughts, be aware it will not sway my decision if it happens to not be your cup of tea.)

: )

Comments

[amyames.livejournal.com]

I prefer Tahlula

[laminy.livejournal.com]

Tallulah. Not really having anything to do with the rest of your name, I just think that that's the best way to spell it. It looks complete. Talulah would be my second choice.

[redriotroses.livejournal.com]

Tallulah looks better to me, more thought out somehow.

This is more out of curiosity, and you really don't have to answer, but if you don't mind me asking, what are you changing your name from? I'd completely understand if you choose not to answer.

[0o-faerie.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I think Tallulah sounds...childish. Then again, maybe that's just me since I'm not from an English-speaking country and I have never met anyone named Tallulah.

I can see why you'd want to change your name though. I'd go with Tallulah, if I were you.

[lilacmermaid.livejournal.com]

I definitely think Tallulah is the best spelling. Most of the others look incomplete or like you're just trying to be creative. Tallulah is creative enough without looking like you're trying too hard, if that makes sense.

My second choice would be Tallula.

[ifancylust.livejournal.com]

tallulah - i've never seen it spelled any other way and i think it'd look weird to me if i saw it written differently.

[kaoriz.livejournal.com]

I've loved the name Tallulah ever since I read The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood when I was about ten (Its the name of the main character, Siddalee's sister).

I think either Tallulah or Tallula look best with the rest of your name.

Good luck! =)

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

I am a stickler for "correct" spellings. The first version, Tallulah, is the right one, based on all the times I've ever seen the name in literature, history, etc.

I have to say that I am very curious how you never knew your first name until you were 7 or 8. I am terribly sorry if it was because of a traumatic childhood (which is the only thing I can think of). Best to you as you move forward, new name and all. :)

P.S. I love the last name Bell and would never change that! ;)

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I was curious about this also!

(call me nosy rosy).

[heure-actuelle.livejournal.com]

Tallulah

[satunian.livejournal.com]

Well if we're going by popular opinion, I've already lost but... I am not a fan of the letter H. I know, that's kinda weird, but I always preferred Sara ro Sarah, Teresa to Theresa, etc.... So, my preference would be Tallula.

[waitingonsunday.livejournal.com]

I am apparently alone here in preferring Talula. I'm biased toward it because of the Tori Amos song, though.

[blosmbee.livejournal.com]

I like Tallulah best.

I recently went through a legal name change because I also have never liked my birth name (Rebecca- it's just not my cup of tea, it feels very old fashioned to me). I've been using my prefered name (Amber) in my personal life for the past 12 years, and wish I had made the legal change sooner. The actual change process was pretty simple, and I used Legalzoom.com for the paperwork and step by step instructions.
You're smart to be doing it before you really start your professional career. It was sometimes confusing for me having all my legal documents in one name (driver's license, medical insurance, bank checks) when I didn't use that name in my personal or professional life- all my voicemails and business cards have always said "Amber". It often led to awkward conversations...

[blosmbee.livejournal.com]

If I had to guess, I would say Whitney.

[th3-unicorn.livejournal.com]

I love Tallulah :) Like the Sonata Arctica's song, ever heard it? it's lovely.
I love it's meaning too!

I also pronounce Tallulah differently from the US, to me it's TAH-loo-lah.

So did you go by Meagan until you were 7-8?

[wildsiren.livejournal.com]

and you got it, dude. : P

[wildsiren.livejournal.com]

hah thanks! no my boyfriend of many years even knows if we get married i'm keeping Bell, i love it.

well, my parents just never called me by my first name.
it was always maegan, even when i got into trouble i rarely heard the ever-feared full name reprimand.
my mom loved my middle name so much she just used it from the start.
i remember finding a picture of a cake from the day my parents took me to an office party after i was born and i was like "Who's Whitney?"
so thats how i found out lol

[wildsiren.livejournal.com]

man, thats why i started loving the name, i hoped someone would bring that up.


kudos for your excellent taste in music.

[wildsiren.livejournal.com]

sure did, still do for the most part
i go by Mae or Maegan on the regular

[wildsiren.livejournal.com]

I toooootally feel you.

[wildsiren.livejournal.com]

lol majority doesn't neccessarily mean its what i'm choosing, i just want to know what other people like and why :)

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

ok, that is a weird story! I read it so much more dramatically... lol.

[th3-unicorn.livejournal.com]

And would you be going by Tallulah after the name change?

[waitingonsunday.livejournal.com]

:^) It was the first place I really heard/saw the name, and the reason I like it so much, as well. Any additional l's or h's look unnecessary to me.

And kudos to you for the same!

[chirpygirly.livejournal.com]

I prefer Talula, just one l, because 'tall' in the name would bug me, if it was spelled with the two l's. Plus, I think two l's is unnecessary, cause when you sound it out it's "Ta-lu-la".

Question though, that I'm surprised no one else has asked you yet. If you've been called by your middle name "Maegan", most of our life, how come you don't just drop your first name (Whitney), and just go with Maegan as your first name? As it is what you've been called most of your life. I mean I think Maegan though somewhat popular, is a nice name. And wouldn't it be easier to continue going by it, as opposed to changing a first name you don't use, to something completely different and then getting everyone who knows you as Maegan, to have to learn to call you by a name other than the one they recognize you as? Just curious, not trying to be rude, so I hope I don't sound rude. =/

[alexandria-skye.livejournal.com]

if you've been going by maegan for most of your life, why not maegan tallulah? i personally don't care for the name tallulah, so i'm kind of biased, but i think maegan tallulah sounds nice :) i think all of a sudden going by tallulah instead of maegan would be confusing... though you may be going by tallulah already...?

[azelmaroark.livejournal.com]

What the people above me said about why not just change it to Maegan if that's what you've been going by. It would be easier if you'd been going by Tallulah for a period of time before officially changing it, I think. This would also help you get used to it and see if you REALLY wanted that name forever, way better than meditating on it, IMO. A trial run, so to speak. If you're really set on this, I'd recommend introducing yourself as Tallulah for awhile before you legally make the change, to see how it goes.

And if you couldn't tell from the above, I very much prefer the correct spelling, Tallulah. I actually like this name a lot; it's too over the top for me to use, I think, but I think it's really cute, and I love the nn Lulu.

[kitchen-poet.livejournal.com]

Tallulah. I generally prefer "correct" spellings, lol. And I love the name. :)

[ev1lkitkat.livejournal.com]

I like Tallulah

[juniorfan29.livejournal.com]

I'm not fond of the name in general, but Tallulah is the better spelling.

I'm curious, though....if you always just went by your middle name, why not drop your first name entirely and have Maegan as your legal name. Either with no middle name, or with a new one?

[wildsiren.livejournal.com]

not at all, its a pretty good question actually.
i thought about doing it that way (just dropping the first name) but if i'm already paying money to change my name, i didn't really want to give up the opportunity to add more meaning, and imho beauty, to my title. my mom really supports it (she tried to take me to have it changed a few years ago but i told her i still wanted some more time to be sure) because she's really proud that i want to incorporate part of her heritage into my name.
as far as switching, well, in about a year i'm moving across the US to go to grad school where i'm studying architecture. only my boyfriend of 6 years (who already calls me by the new name) will be with me...so i kind of figured that would be a perfect place to make the change more permanent. and most of my life i've had about 10 or so meghan, megan, meagans, etc (you're right it was verrry popular)...even another Megan Bell. it gets pretty cumbersome so i also chose this as something to set me somewhat apart.

either way, they are both nice to me so i'd never be against anyone calling me whichever they are more comfortable with.

[babyjess8.livejournal.com]

I agree.

Do you think you would use the nn Tully? Lou?

[aquilinum.livejournal.com]

Tallulah, as in the badass Ms. Bankhead.

[ifancylust.livejournal.com]

i don't know why anyone would shorten tallulah. some names are just better without nicknames imo.

[politicking.livejournal.com]

Talula or Talulah

[wildsiren.livejournal.com]

OMG OMG OMG I LOVE YOUR ICON!

i have that side of the album framed in my living room lol!!

<3 for that

[chirpygirly.livejournal.com]

Thanks for responding! :)

You definitely are being mature and wise about it so I believe you're making the right decision for you!

So, do you want to be called by the full name, or a nick name like Lu, Lula, Lulu, or maybe even Tallia?

Also, kudos for going into architecture, I love design, though I'm more into doing floor plans than exterior, and it's just a hobby, I didn't go to school for it.

[postalsuicide.livejournal.com]

Tallulah (the proper form of the Native America style) seems like the best form for me. The two Ls at the start just set it off nicely. I like your choice. It is a lot to decide on, but if you know its right , can't nobody tell you different.
I am still curious how you didn't know you had a first name. Did you go by the middle? And if you don't mind me asking is it Whitney?
Once agian, good choice :)<3

[aquilinum.livejournal.com]

I love it. Every little thing about it. The artist that used it, the album it graced, the fact that it was hidden on the back, the color scheme, the yellow sock, the shape, the heel, the futile cleverness of Van Gogh beneath your feet where nobody will see...

[ex-londonso.livejournal.com]

Tallulah.

It's a nice name, but just so you know, it means 'wart' in Arabic, if that matters!