Poll: Julian or Julius?

[runlr]

Hiya, Escapist. It's been a while (last time I was here was '11, good times). Anyway, the reason I'm here is that I remembered you guys have a polling option, so I figured I'd make a thread.

I'm transgender, and picking a male name. I've been stressing over names for, like, three months, and it's been driving me crazy. I've narrowed it down to two options, but I still can't decide. Which name do you think works better, Julian or Julius? I figured I could be called "Jules" for short, but I don't want that as my official, legal name. Thanks.

Edit: Oh, and once you pick, I'd super appreciate if you told me why you like that name more. I'm a little nervous about Julian somehow coming off too feminine, or "Julius" being too out-there or pretentious. I feel like Julius would maybe stop me from being chill and laid-back sometimes, just 'cause it's such a regal name. It'd be a cool name for when I'm trying to sound smart and stuff, but I do like the more common names for their humble quality, at times. I dunno, just some thoughts.

 

[runlr]

Oh, also, I know, "Julius" can be a little less common than Julian, but I like the idea of a vaguely, sort-of Greek name (Julius can be Greek), since my old name was, as well as my surname. I like Julian, too, though.

 

[Secondhand Revenant]

Personally I think Julius sounds cooler. Makes me think of Caesar, who's an impressive historical figure. Julian's cool too though.

 

[FalloutJack]

If these are the selections you're narrowed down to after thinking about it, I say Julius. Carry the Roman reputation for rowdy orgy parties! They worked either side of the fence too!

 

[Akjosch]

Oh, also, I know, "Julius" can be a little less common than Julian, but I like the idea of a vaguely, sort-of Greek name (Julius can be Greek), since my old name was, as well as my last name. I like Julian, too, though.

"Julius" is Roman, not Greek (at least in usage).

If these are your choices, I'd say pick the classic one.

You can then start signing documents with IVLIVS, too.

 

[KyuubiNoKitsune-Hime]

As a trans person my self I can understand the difficulty in choosing a name.

That said, I'd go with Julius, it's a very regal name, it oozes masculinity, but with class, not toxicity. But it's such a kingly name, it's uncommon any more, it's really classic too, classy, and is the kind of name that makes one want to hold their head high. I knew a Julian growing up and that name doesn't have near the clout, he got bullied way worse than me, and I had a "girl's" name and cross-dressed semi-regularly at the time. That said he also had more character than most of the kids I knew, a better sense of humor, and a more kind nature. All said, Julius is the more awe inspiring name, but it has a huge weight attached, Julian is more modest, but carries more freedom. Still I'd pick Julius if I were you, it's just such a fantastic name to have.

 

[runlr]

Thanks for all the responses so far, everybody. I'm still on the fence about it.

All said, Julius is the more awe inspiring name, but it has a huge weight attached, Julian is more modest, but carries more freedom. Still I'd pick Julius if I were you, it's just such a fantastic name to have.

Sigh, I pretty much agree with everything you said. I really like the name Julius, I think it's interesting, slightly mysterious, even, but it's just so distinguished that I dunno whether I'd feel right being more jokey and clowning around with such a regal name, y'know?

My personality can change from a laidback smartass to pretentious nerd, and I want a name that can accommodate basically both of those things if I wanted it to. Luckily, I'll probably be called Jules most of the time, I've just got to choose what I want that to be short for.

Another question for people who read this thread: Is "Julian" a feminine name? I dunno if I want one that'll make people think of me as effeminate or anything. I feel like people who have masculine or regular names who act a little more feminine get away with it easier without people thinking twice about it.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Julius is a rather unusual name nowdays, but Julian is quite normal, so I'd go for the later.

Not sure why Julian would be considered feminine.

OTOH, maybe there are lots of men called Julius and women called Julian where you live.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Not sure why Julian would be considered feminine.

I'm not sure about it being feminine, but I'd expect someone called Julian to be remarkably upper class (unfairly, I know).

Yeah, me too, at least a bit. Possibly to renounce Christianity and then go for an overly ambitious war in Persia, but not quite so much.

 

[Frission]

If you're going for something as grandiose as Julius, why not go for the whole thing and get Julius Augustus Caesar!

Er, bad joke aside both sound good. You could always have your name be Julius, but use Julien in day to day life, so like this you can use both names?

 

[Dango]

I'm not really partial to either of them. I will however recommend that regardless you should open a jewelry store for alliteration's sake.

 

[K12]

Julian does sound slightly feminine to me but not significantly, I think you don't feel "Jules" to be androgynous then Julian is fine. I think it comes across more like a posh public school name really but again not very (it's miles away from being "Rupert", "Tarquin" or "Theo").

Julius is a great name. It's masculine in a classical dignified way rather than a dick-swinging machismo way. Somebody who's masculine in a thoughtful way rather than boisterous way. The only reservation I'd have about Julius is that I think it works better for somebody tall and I don't know if you are. Anyway, if you're going to be "Jules" most of the time anyway then you can lay off referring to yourself as Julius until you feel more confident.

 

[Adam3s]

I think the problem with Jullian when it comes to being feminine would be the well known female versions of the name: July, Jillian.

One of those where people may think you chose the name as a small change to your previous name...I feel like Julius wont have the obvious connections to that. Although, I will say, Julius also seems like it'd be strange on a white guy, if you don't have a "mediterranean" look.

Sorry it this seems cruel, just trying to give an honest opinion.

 

[MetalMagpie]

I don't think Julian sounds too feminine. It's a nice name. The only Jules I know is actually a girl (it's short for Juliet in her case) but I think it's a nice shortening for either gender.

I do think Julius sounds a bit pretentious. I've never heard of anyone called that apart from the Roman emperor! That said, I'm British. Maybe it's a more popular name in the USA.

 

[Queen Michael]

Julian is way more beautiful than Julius.

On the other hand, Julius makes people think of the greatest emperor of Rome, while Julian brings to mind the obnoxious Lemur from Madagascar.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

Go for Julian. Had a boyfriend with that name once. He was pretty damn cool.
Do it. Take the name. Become the hot boyfriend.
Being good at yoga is optional.
Also, good luck.

 

[runlr]

Although, I will say, Julius also seems like it'd be strange on a white guy, if you don't have a "mediterranean" look.

Sorry it this seems cruel, just trying to give an honest opinion.

I'm half-Greek, half-white Australian and people often make the assumption I'm European. I feel like that's definitely gonna happen more once I get even hairier (also, apparently testosterone darkens your skin a little), so there's little issue with me seeming not mediterranean enough. I have given that thought, though.

I think the problem with Jullian when it comes to being feminine would be the well known female versions of the name: July, Jillian.

My old name started with S. I actually liked it a fair bit, but, alas, wasn't unisex.

Do it. Take the name. Become the hot boyfriend.

Yiss. Totally my goal. (Thanks for the well-wishes as well.)

 

[runlr]

Also, some other names I was considering for a while: Ryan, Alex (typical trans name, but still a good one), Timothy, Jean, Marcus. Probably won't go with any of them, but if I pull a heel-face-turn with the Jul names, they're there as backups.