I know how you feel, Leafpool. I've been thinking about my name, too. Rae is who I am, on both Kyngdom and the CB, so I don't really want to change it. However, I think that sometimes people think that I took my name from Star Wars, but spelled it incorrectly. I did get the idea from SW, but also from the sun, like a ray of sun. I wanted to be different, so I spelled it Rae. 

I feel the same way. "Dragonrider" was who I was when I joined the CB and I was almost 11 years old. I was reading Eragon and made my CB name Dragonrider because I liked the series so much. I don't think it represents me anymore, but I'm reluctant to change it because it's who I am on here.

Tux changed her name to Esquire of Rohan, and I think that that still represents who she is. Everyone (I think) knows that Esquire and Tuxedo Kitten are one and the same, and nobody has a problem with it. Same with BookBug/ LilyPad.

When I joined, I was a quite different person than who I am now. When I couldn't handle keeping up, I just watched everything, then kinda faded out.

When I came back, I was a different person, into different things, and 'Aquina W' just wouldn't fit. So, I combined all my new interests (astronomy, Pratchett, physics, theory, painting) and TheColorOfQuantum came out of it.

Malachite's name got changed because of Steven Universe, a quite interesting show. (People who don't watch, skip this part) I thought if there was a stable Malachite with a relationship like Garnet's, but its own separate being, not a fusion- after that the Malachite you know came up. (Also Malachite is and will always be pansexual- attracted to any gender)

Wingnut is the same as always, although maybe not quite as active. He still has a giant crush on Hallia, too, although not sure if she likes him back. 

So, yeah.

How and why I changed my name. 

Hmm...*ponders the meaning of life* 

I'd say change it. If the only reason you won't change it is because you're afraid, then I'd say go for it! Same goes for Dragonrider. Just go ahead and try!

"Don't let fear or insecurity stop you from trying new things. Believe in yourself. Do what you love. And most importantly, be kind to others, even if you don't like them." ~Stacy London

I had a book that was the Live Action Cinderella before it came out. In it, Ella (future Cinderella) goes to get her mom some water, and discovers that her mom is there while the shepherd is birthing a lamb. They sing to it and it's really beautiful, and then Ella gives it a large name that I forgot. The shepherd laughs and says it's a big name for such a small lamb. Ella considers this, and answers "Perhaps, but he will grow." And her mother tells Ella that names have power.

Later in the book, Ella is changed forever by her stepfamily, and her stepfamily, seeing the ashes on her face from sleeping by the fireplace like a servant girl, changes her name, and so makes the story, to Cinderella. She reflects on her mother's words and thinks that names have power, and she's forever changed. She doesn't feel as powerful anymore, or even as Ella-like.

Later, she learns to love the name Cinderella. It's a stronger extension of who she is, more magical and powerful. And it still keeps her old name, Ella. 

~~~ 

The decision is yours to make, but please remember to honor your old self if you do. I honestly don't like it when people change theirs because there's a powerful story behind mine, and if I got rid of it I would be severing a family link, so I dislike it when people sever their old selves off. I believe we should embrace the past and work our way around the struggles of the future as we do. But it's your choice, and I respect it no matter what you do.

Err, that wasn't too dramatic, was it? 

Not at all, Icy. It was inspirational and moving.

I understand the feeling, Leafpool! I love your name, and it is fantastic that it's part of who you are. My name, while my actual name, is who I am as well. Although at times changing it has crossed my mind, changing my CB name to a fantasy name that matches who I am. But I cannot, I just do not adjust to change very well. Maybe it's because my name is my own, it really is who I am.

So if you're anything like me, maybe you won't handle changing it. Even if you can manage, it might just not feel right. Ultimately, the choice is up to you. Good luck on deciding! No matter what your decision, I do believe we will all love and honor it. 

I know exactly how you feel. I chose my name about a year and a half ago, from my favorite series at the time, The Wingfeather Saga. I still love the books, and hold them very dearly, but I'm not as into them as I used to be. But Leeli... it's my name, it's who I am on the CB. And I'm reluctant to change it. As of now, I'm Leeli. In a year, six months, idk.