How to Give Yourself a Name

[@troglodytee]

ngl i clicked on this for a tutorial but im not disappointed

[@blueknife7728]

same

[@filipt9931]

I genuinely though it would be a guide for RPG games like Dungeons and Dragons or something

[@jan_Eten]

yea

[@Rot8erConeX]

@@filipt9931 I don't know what vibes I was getting but I could tell from the recommendation that it would be a trans thing. And it's not something I personally need - I'm cis and like the name I was given at birth (though I misspell it on purpose as a reference to the way someone I care about mispronounces it) - but I have had a trans friend ask for help choosing her name for her before, so I did click assuming it'd be a tutorial I could point people to if I'm in that situation again.

[@Charlotte-111]

If this helps, see if you have a name you the to call a lot of things already, like a teddy or an old imaginary friend. That's how I got mine, Charlotte. You can also try out the names of your favourite characters in a show or game, like Luna from Harry Potter or Sunny from Omori. And even after you try a name, if it doesn't fit then don't be afraid to try another. I went by a different name for a whole year before noticing it didn't fit and finding my real name, names are a journey, not a destination. Hopefully it helps ^^

[@Valery0p5]

The freedom the internet gives us to choose our own username is something so irreplaceable for me, even if I ended up sticking to the same one for more than a decade. Thanks for reminding me that

[@Valery0p5]

Just one thing: saint names and birth names are usually associated, especially if you are like me and have more than one saint with your name 😅 so the only choosing my parents did was on the date of the "onomastico". I hope you didn't leak your dead name this way...

[@megamillion5852]

Whoa, Code Lyoko! Gotta listen to that theme again.

[@Valery0p5]

@@megamillion5852 thanks! It's one of my formative shows! Did not expect this comment to blow up 😅

[@Valery0p5]

@@megamillion5852 thanks, it's nice to hear someone still remembering it. Also wow 1K likes 😳

[@Valery0p5]

@@megamillion5852 I keep saying thanks to you and everyone who liked my post and I have no idea why the comment disappears

[@thatbiggoguy]

"since you're not the government" how can you be so sure? *laughs maniacally*

[@berylanisoptera6727]

I was already invested, but when the pov swapped to the irl trees, then to the real person, and then to all the memories, I have to admit I broke down crying. It’s such a thing I can’t explain, but the idea that I had of ‘giving myself a new name will erase all the memories and life connected to the last’ haunted me. But that’s not it at all. A name is a name, not the life that came with it. This helped me realize that, so thank you Mallbat.

[@caligusto]

for sure. huge rush of emotion :,)

[@nevec1991]

same, hit me like a ton of bricks

[@НюськаАрбузька]

@@nevec1991 A ton of Lego bricks, I guess?

[@andrewbreazna]

YUP

[@pheonixrises11]

the video didn’t make me cry but your comment did, thank you (I also liked the video, it just didn’t hit me like that)

[@tonyopffer8488]

I don't know how i got here. I clicked by accident, kept watching because the artist's voice is soothing to me. And then this ended up being one of the most beautiful pieces of art I've ever seen. I don't know how to describe how this makes me feel. It's so powerful.

[@Aa-dn1oq]

Mate you gotta clean your ears this dude's voice sounds like Jaleel White with corks up his nose

[@louzo5175]

​@@Aa-dn1oq nah u gotta update ur phone bc the thing ure hearing this vid out of is clearly in need of some repear my dude ^ aka this was easier to write then to explain to you that people have diferent favorite sounds, wow defenetly suprising and not common sense imaright? i mean it is common sense ya just didnt have it at the time u were commenting this

[@Aa-dn1oq]

@@louzo5175 Genuine question are you having a stroke

[@edmdeathmachine]

i don't feel anything

[@julians9899]

@@Aa-dn1oqI believe there can be many forms of a soothing voice. :) a scruffy old wise dood is cool to listen to. But so is a well spoken girl boy. Each have their own unique draws to them.

[@LizBizBean]

My favorite part is when we flashback to your younger self and then get a glimpse of the trees. Then the fade into how much they've grown over the years, just like you. And your names have grown with you, and thats how it should be

[@worm_wannacry]

"a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" this video was so comforting bc ive been dealing with issues with my name lately ur animation is awesome btw and i cant put into words how much i loved the style of this video

[@GusOfTheDorks]

I hate to tell you this, but that line is about what you call a thing, not an indavidual. And the advice they're giving in this video, is really incredibly flawed. Names are very important and serve alot more then just being formal or with the IRS. There are even religons that believe names hold a form of spiritual power to them. Hell, you really want evidence? Just the fact you've been going through issues dealing with your own name should be proof enough that it's more important then a random thing you can drop or change whenever. I'm not saying a nickname or maybe one change to an actually bad name isnt ok. We do have to live in the real world after all. But maybe advice about names from someone that chose a name long enough to make 16th century nobility laugh might not be the best idea.

[@worm_wannacry]

@@GusOfTheDorks ur incredibly insufferable

[@worm_wannacry]

@@GusOfTheDorks do u even know the quote? In this quote, Juliet is using a rose as a metaphor for Romeo. You have got to be kidding trying to argue with me when the information you are trying to argue with is so blatantly false. The metaphor is not even hard to tell through reading the quote out of context. Also, I don't understand your point in writing this comment in the first place. Did you think I would change my viewpoint after reading this?

[@GusOfTheDorks]

@@worm_wannacry No, I was always a much bigger Hamlet fan. I was never quite able to sympathize with the idea of rich people skipping straight to suicide when your love life didnt work out on the first go around. Though I'd guess the metaphore wasnt that great since the family name still mattered enough to lead to a double suicide. And I just didnt like the advice being tossed out so I thought I'd toss out a different point of view. But I guess you've gone from struggling with your name to having the world figuered out.

[@jolkert_]

@@GusOfTheDorks both the video and the shakespeare quote are lamenting that, though to many people names are of great consequence, they really have no reason or right to be as important as they are, and that those who care so much should probably chill tf out cause its really not that serious

[@alexyang1231]

I like this in a way that would take me 3 days to understand and 3 years to communicate. Edit: haha I am secretly Mr. IRS pay up everyone >:)

[@mallbat]

i think this is the highest compliment i could ever receive

[@thegu5]

seconded.

[@neotree1313]

thirded.

[@he-ze1po]

fifthted.

[@pancakeidiot14]

fourthded

[@beegchief6872]

dude I'm like a straight cis guy but this made me think so fucking much. Your direction and animation is beautiful and the way you covered this topic is fantastic and made me emotional tbh. You have my praise.

[@chkensammich]

I'm cis but I've been using a name based on a nickname randomly given to me by an online friend (who's one of the many Americans I knew at the time wo couldn't pronounce my birth name lmao) for years now I've used it everywhere be it school, work, uni, etc for a decade My early life was very full of neglect and violence and having been told It was 'easier to have me than divorce' around 3-4th grade made me feel pointless, until I was given a new name by someone else In my personal timeline of events it feels like that's the point where I became a little more refreshed and began a journey of learning to forgive and forget the things that happened in the past as the new name allowed me to put some emotional distance between me and certain events/people I one day wish to live around others who don't know my birth-name, I tend to seethe when I see others being deadnamed because I've come to understand how shitty it feels, it's a horrible thing to do It truly doesn't matter where your chosen name comes from as long as you feel happy

[@HarvoSpoon]

i'm also someone who sometimes wishes to always be known by a nickname rather than the real one, but i don't have any deep meaning for it, i just feel like the real one's too personal... if you feel so attached to your nickname and disconnected from your real name, you could legally change it, but i don't know how the process works exactly

[@tibbygaycat]

I absolutely love that you've been able to express agency and control by having a chosen name. Tbh for me as a trans person that sense of agency is very important and I love the idea of people, in general, treating their name like something within their control. It should be! It should be an expression of your own self and identity.

[@trianglemoebius]

I grew up in the UK, but now live in America. When I moved over, people started calling me by my last name (a riff on how the teachers always address Harry Potter as "POTTER!") and it stuck. Absolutely fantastic, as last names are gender neutral!

[@chkensammich]

@@HarvoSpoon I don't want to self-doxx but it's basically impossible to change your name where I live, one of your fundamental/essential rights under the constitution is the 'human right to a family legacy and given name' You may only make additions or changes to your name after -going on trial- for one of the following reasons 1. Marrying a foreigner whose set of (religious/cultural)beliefs justifies making additions. 2. Your parents dunked up and named you 'Dsvid' instead of 'David' and you need that fixed But that's ok, I know the name I want so that's the name I have and I'll continue to introduce myself to new people as such

[@from_no_where]

@@chkensammich Just say your parents are dyslexic and _really_ messed up your name lol

[@paulamarina04]

i love how organic this feels, like a casual conversation more than a scripted presentation, and yet its effort and intention clearly shows. plus, as a fellow hot transsexual girlboy myself the message really hits close to home. seamlessly conveying what may take one years to fully realize in the span of 3 minutes thank you for making this!!!

[@DavtheDartrix-723]

Pfp checks out (I also play Celeste)

[@CursedCaptainGaming]

Just like me fr

[@zartexkrontaculys1097]

Ok but what does that mean

[@paulamarina04]

@@zartexkrontaculys1097 you mean the "organic part" or the "hot transsexual girlboy" part

[@princeofdew8980]

You will never

[@ItsVreenTM]

"before a wizard turned me into a girl" wheres the wizard WHERE'S THAT WIZARD ILL DO ANYTHING TO SPEED THIS PROCESS UP WHERES THE WIZARD MALLBAT

[@KaraokeDeepCuts]

you're the wizard

[@ItsVreenTM]

@@KaraokeDeepCuts the real wizard was the friends we made along the way

[@kodahyphenlee]

@@KaraokeDeepCuts :o the wizard was inside us all along

[@wavypurples]

maybe the real wizard was the friends we made along the way

[@why3994]

​@@kodahyphenlee the townnnnn inside meeee~

[@girlmadeofwires]

crazy how I see this video literally RIGHT after I spend 20 minutes crying to my therapist about how I changed my name so many times because none of them feel like me and I was starting to have an identity crisis about it. turns out I needed to see this, so thank you

[@Mattssz]

I hope this video helped out a lot! just remember you're not alone!!

[@feesshii274]

youre not alone out there!!! (also based jadis pfp)

[@girlmadeofwires]

@@feesshii274 AYY JADIS FANCLUB you'd think after two years of transitioning I would've had this part figured out by now lol

[@ellie8272]

Took me a while too. It's never too late to try again, and there's no pressure. I was Lilly for a few years, and now I'm Ellie. I like being Ellie

[@tymondabrowski12]

I'm not even trans and I've got so many nicknames that I go by (curiously, only on the internet, irl everyone call me the typical, unfortunately formal version of my real name (the unformal is childish/cute)). I was recently listing them out to friends. There were so many purposes that needed names. With one I identify enough that every new laptop account I make has this name (which also has a surname and a fake birthday... at one point in time I thought it was the key to the anonymity on the internet). Only noticed it was weird when someone asked me why I have someone else's/the opposite gender name on the screen. Anyway, now I need another good name for just another purpose...

[@beans9732]

1:17 - 2:01 . This part is genuinely so beautiful. I don’t know exactly what you meant to convey here but often I’ll find myself talking, usually alone and out loud to nobody, and I’ll just suddenly stop being able to speak, or even open my mouth. I’ll think about anything. Everything. My whole life I’ve had before me, the life I have yet to live. It’s infinitely terrifying and so damn exciting. I’m trans. And I’m a boy. But I don’t regret growing up as a girl. Everything that’s happened to me and every choice that I’ve made and how I was raised and what I did with the lessons I was taught has made me who I am now. If I got the choice to go back and live my childhood again as a boy, I don’t think I would want to. Right now I don’t wake up excited to be alive, but I could. I have a world’s worth of changes to make to myself. I’ll keep what fits and change out what doesn’t. I will build myself from the scraps other people have given me. “I am endlessly creating myself.” (One of my favorite quotes. It’s by Frantz Fanon) Thank you, mallbat, for creating this. It helps me put some of these difficult feelings into words. I know that this comment isn’t exactly all that related to the video, but I feel it fits here, nestled in this comments section. Thank you. This video is beautiful.

[@lynnclaywood4043]

This is a gorgeous comment that tells me I'm on the exact right side of youtube

[@XercesBlues]

This comment was beautiful, truly

[@cylyte2436]

I really like this perspective, thank you for commenting.

[@Kyumifun]

Our experiences shape who we are. If we made different choices in life, would that still be us or someone else

[@Mattssz]

I love this comment as well, I could agree, even if i had the choice, i would always stay with being a boy in my early years and then becoming non binary, as if i was always nonbinary, would i even be the same person without those experiences? those experiences shaped who i was today, i am happy i had them, and i would never let that go for anything! I love this video and this comment! truly loving how kind everybody is here in this comment section.

[@majimagoro383]

I read the title and at first i thought you were going to talk about online names, but then the switch to the memories immediately made me unterstand what you were truly talking about. Wonderful work, you've captivated me in just 3 minutes.

[@diamondgoldsilver9899]

All I did was just take a 15 minute break from reviewing for my exams. Somehow, despite the fact that your video had NOTHING to do with what I'm focused on, your video gave me plenty of motivation and stay optimistic (towards nothing in particular). It's strange really. I'm not even trans, but your message glued itself on me. I love your voice and how you spoke throughout the whole conversation, it felt like I was in a conversation with a close friend

[@atom8o]

feel the EXACT same way❤

[@ramens]

i’m meant to be studying too LOL but whatever, this vid is good.

[@mous3kteer]

My family recently found out that my grandma won't be with us for much longer. I haven't quite known how she felt about my current transitioning, but we had a long conversation today, just the two of us. She said a lot of completely supportive things, including asking if the name I'd chosen so far was a final one, and I said I honestly didn't know; the idea that I have to settle on one has definitely stressed me out. Then I got this recommended, and somehow it was just what I needed to hear right now. This video means a lot to me, "just letters on a page, just sounds in the air". Thanks for this. 💜 ~"Rowen", maybe

[@wayne.network]

I love the name Rowen!! I truly wish you well, and thank you for sharing. I relate in a way :)

[@Piespys]

Rowwen the manager from vivaladirtleague

[@PansyPops]

I’m sorry about your Nan, I lost my Nan a while ago and never had the chance to tell her before she left us. Grandparents can be some of the best people around, especially grandmas. Whether they have endless cookies/biscuits or like to sit, chat, maybe knit and crochet. They’re always there to support their family. I hope you’re able to cherish what time you have left with her, she sounds like a wonderful lady.

[@ourpleartboat]

its you .... the reason everyone thinks my name is spelled rowen instead of rowan! [ im joking]

[@mous3kteer]

@@ourpleartboat Hey wait, and you're the reason everyone always thinks my name is spelled Rowan! Maybe we should trade names? Or maybe we should just trade New People We Meet... Nice to meet a (almost) name twin!

[@TheNickNuttall]

I honestly think this would do incredibly well at a film festival.

[@dudebromccool2976]

This is actually such an effectual and kind video. I'm not trans, but I've never liked my given names. This is honestly the push I needed to finally change them! It's rare that affirmations truly do something for me, so thank you!

[@WangleLine]

god you're gonna make me cry, this is so beautiful and nicely put thank you for sharing your name with us

[@mallbat]

[@andrewstewart1464]

Even as a cissy bisexual dude that is preeeeeety sure of himself, this left a good weight in my torso. I actually have pretty much the OPPOSITE of the quandary expressed in this video; I have always been v e r y possessive of my given name, even to the point of not liking being called an abbreviation of it or even nicknames. I even have problems when trying to imagine names for online social media account handles or characters I create for role play situations. But even this issue is addressed by how you said that "(names are) just letters on a page or sounds in the air". I don't need to be so strictly restrained to my own concept of myself. I should loosen the hell up and just enjoy thinking of and trying out new names, explore more facets of my own personality. I mean, it's not like I don't have time (and thanks to owiebrainhurts for THAT revelation). I've spent over 3 decades building ONE name, ONE personality. Why not more? Thanks for the video. Even if I might not be the exact intended audience I still thought about myself and took something away from that big thunk.

[@manofmanynames_]

omg I love owiebrainhurts!! also bi here lol, glad that you've learned something new about yourself C:

[@SawzyLastname]

@@manofmanynames_ i love the british red cat too!!

[@DM_GLAUCON]

This was a wonderful watch. Love the photoscanned textures and environment design! But above all, it's the emotion, editing and attitude that really makes it. Thanks for sharing ♥

[@mallbat]

gahhh!! tysm!! :')

[@mrblakeboy1420]

@@mallbat gautism

[@Phoenix-iz4lt]

Very artistic 👌👍

[@madisonmayes2728]

Yeah I really liked it! Felt cozy. The animation style reminds me of Moral Orel :D

[@upsidedown-pug1974]

"either lose yourself with a name someone else made, or give yourself a new one" this is a quote I thought of because of how I've felt recently, this video really helped thank you... _uhhh..._ Jesse Patience Iota Laserhouseproductions bleck... *_thank you_*

[@HauntMyNight]

I don't think I've cried this much ever. I may never be who I want to be. But as long as one of us can be. This life is worth living. Unyielding courage just to be what we feel we truly are.

[@IoSaturnalia17]

i dont think words can describe how powerful this was to me and the emotions it made me feel as a closeted trans guy who cant come out no matter the agony being closeted puts me in, this video hit me in a way i dont think ive ever felt, but it also brought me a lot of comfort, and did actually ease up my stress about names to an extent Words are really hard but im just trying to say i absolutely love this and thank you for making it

[@shirjoy.]

I wish you the best

[@echothefreak9396]

🩵🩷🤍🩷🩵

[@kasper_phizz]

i'm sorry, i hope things get better

[@RealestKinga]

YOU GOT THIS BROH!!! MAY TESTOSTERONE AND MANLY MUSK COME TO YOU!!! Unless you wanna be a femme guy that's ok too

[@shazoch]

I know how hard it can be to go through life, wishing you could be yourself and the pain it brings. I hope that one day you can express yourself for who you are and that until then, you are doing a great job. Try to treat yourself to something I find that helps sometimes.

[@UniRoo69420]

As a trans guy who struggled with transitioning thanks to fear that I was losing a part of myself if I called myself a dude or changed my name, this video really stuck to me. I needed to hear something like this back then, thank you ❤

[@elusivefrog]

there’s too much rhetoric out there that makes it feel like you have to be a completely different person when transitioning. learning to embrace my past presentation is one of the most important lessons i’ve learned in my early transition and has been key to me keeping my head on straight. we don’t have to abandon the people we were. we still are those same people! just a little more comfy :)

[@UniRoo69420]

@@elusivefrog exactly! I wish I was explicitly told that so that the idea of transitioning back then was less scary

[@superStarshines]

We all needed this, Thanks for sharing a lot of our thoughts with well picked words^-^🩵

[@UniRoo69420]

@@superStarshines yw! ^_^

[@Flow-Fi-]

I was listening to Death by Melanie Martinez a few days ago and I thought about how it sounds so *good* when interpreted as being about a trans person, or more generally anyone undergoing a change in themselves. In the lyrics, she sings about being a dead spirit whose loved ones try to reconnect with her and bring her back but something is stopping them, a barrier of sorts. She also sings about being back from the dead and how no one should worry because death released all her stresses from her. It’s hard to explain everything here but I could see it being interpreted as about a trans person’s loved ones struggling to come to terms with the transition because they feel as if the person is completely changing and becoming a new being, something utterly unfamiliar to who they’ve always been around. And the lyrics really sound like a way of saying “But I’m still me! Look! “Death” (change) can’t separate us, there’s no need to pray for me or weep over me because I’m still *me!”* I hope all this made sense

[@kc8391]

I don't know if you'll read this or not. I just want to tell you that just seeing another trans person just existing makes me so happy, makes me feel less alone. It all just seems so hard. But whenever I feel alone, I see other trans people like me out in the world, or on socials, having passions, doing what they love, being who they truly are, and it gives me hope, so much hope. Maybe this is weird or something, but thank you. I don't know what to thank you for, except making my day better and making me feel less alone.

[@whimsicalstew8646]

This made me really happy to read, thank you :)

[@Mattssz]

Agreed, seeing another person out there existing that's trans makes me feel happy, im non binary so its nice to see somebody out there, really helps feeling less alone in this big world as a nonbinary person! this video really pierced my soul and im thankful for it.

[@jude_dadude]

W. But ofc there’s those kids who say W homophobia.

[@A13XLaircey]

I just make Plotagon videos and play Minecraft in creative mode as hobbies, but I agree!

[@Lele_6951]

that's nice, i can say that i feel the same way and it mades me really happy too :D (sorry for the bad english, it's not my first language)

[@CorvusBot]

What an absolute gem of a video! As someone going through phases of self-discovery right now, this message hit really close to my heart. And you've portrayed it in such a beautiful way as well; I loved every frame. Could not be happier to have had this show up in my recommendations today, thank you so much.

[@PoeticPunk777]

I don't usually leave comments, who knows whether people will really see this, but holy crap, I don't know if you realize how amazing this video is. At the very least, it has touched the deepest part of my soul, a part I had honestly kind of forgotten about. Thank you, thank you with all my heart, you have no idea how much this means to me and just, thank you. I seriously think that this video has changed my life for the better, and just, thank you. There's a part of me that for the longest time, whether it's grown or shrank, felt that I would always be weighed down by parts of my past and even my present that I wanted to move on from, that I had to abide by the rules of the small world I have lived in always and that there wasn't anything different, and this video has helped me realize and remind me that there are worlds out there that are different, places and people that exist for me to move on towards when I felt that there wasn't a place for me in this world. So again, thank you, you've helped remind me that there is a place for me in this world to move on to where I can leave the things that aren't true about me anymore behind and live and grow and change as I please, even if maybe that wasn't the original intent of the video

[@shrom6549]

From the looks of the comments section here alone, you’ve touched a lot of hearts. This is a really comforting video in general. Thank you for making this, and I mean that genuinely.

[@huntress084]

Ror2 captain pfp!!!

[@shrom6549]

@@huntress084 hell yeah it is! My friend drew it for me a few years back :)

[@huntress084]

@@shrom6549 And it looks so good! Does your friend have like a Twitter or Deviant art or smth for their stuff? Would love to see more if there's any, loving the artstyle!

[@lyrawh]

I can't deal with this video. I keep coming back to it and every single time I'm left weeping. Please help.

[@MeLikePie50mc]

This is my train of thought when having conversations with other people who aren’t there alone in my bed

[@conk444]

Something about the flashback sequence connected to me with how I felt when I first realized I needed a new name. It gives off this feeling of surmounting all my past lived experience until realizing I was burdened by something I could simply drop into the past. I don’t mean to sound corny, but I did cry just a little

[@smarterror555]

Creating a personal connection with the viewer in order to make the final message pack a punch is absolutely genius. Masterfully made

[@shirjoy.]

I'm a trans man and when I realised I was trans I didn't even think about giving myself a new name until I came out to my friend and they asked me what they should call me. It wasn't because my birth name was unisex or anything. It's just that the first place I got to experiment with being trans was online were I was always just shirjoy or some other username/gamertag so I never felt the need to have a "gendered" name. I felt a lot of pressure to pick a name and I just ending going with one that kinda suits me and nobody I know irl has, but having gone by it now for a few years I am happy with it because it feels more a birth name in that way that it just is and has very little meaning other than just signifying me. My only regret is it not having any relation to my family like my birth name did.

[@shirjoy.]

Also I fucking love this and ,if you couldn't tell by the too long paragraph, this hit so close. This is a beautiful piece of art

[@SuicideShow]

same oh my god.. My first name I actually chose for myself was Garret, But now I think Randal suits me better.. :)

[@luxill0s]

This struck a chord with me even though my name was given to me, in a way. I’m a trans guy and I, hilariously, made a poll where a bunch of online strangers could pick from a multitude of names I’d scrounged up and vote for which one they liked the most. So now I’m Dallas. Thanks to the random people who voted in that poll, lol. There’s something about the fluidity of identity on the internet that makes me keep coming back to it despite various pledges to try and avoid as many social media accounts as possible. I can change my name and nobody will know it isn’t “really mine.” It can be whatever I want it to be, and nobody will try to claim “well, you can’t do that, that’s not your real name.” I know this power can be used to disguise horrible acts, but it can also be used to self express. And I think that’s nice.

[@thatoneguy9582]

where did you source said online strangers bc ostensibly you got really lucky with them that is very funny

[@voilet-the-non-violet-vulpix]

Something makes me feel so viscerally angry about people who insist that one can’t change one’s name, that one’s original given name is their “real”, only valid name, acting as if the random string of letters that were written down on or near the day of one’s birth has some sort of tether to their soul, becomes a metaphysical truth about an individual. Well, angry isn’t quite the word, but it’s not quite not the word either. I feel like I’m screaming, pounding on a wall of glass at them, desperate to get through, but I just don’t have anything sharp enough to crack it. Especially, I hate the phrase “God-given name”. No god gave me the name I was born with. There was no heavenly messenger. My parents gave it to me, & they are only human. And I suppose the thought that the name they gave me was a gift holds a bit of merit, but then, they knew nothing about me at the time. Why do so many expect everyone to cherish for their whole lifetime a gift given to them by a _stranger?_ Sorry, I guess that was all a bit off topic, but I too have so many feelings about names, & most of them can be summed up as “We’re so much freer than most seem to think or try to convince us we are”

[@JonBrase]

There's no problem with using additional names, but ones birth name is not to be lightly abandoned. I think what best explains my thoughts on the matter is to say that it's a connection to yourself at the at the time when you were the blankest slate a human can be, before all the trauma of life. It represents the most fundamental aspects of you, not because it magically determines or is determined by those fundamentals, but simply because it was associated with you before anything else got involved.

[@bemmy76]

I’ve watched this at least a dozen times. the moment at 1:20 has me so emotional. it’s so personal and tells your story with such a beautiful tone, showing also how your art has progressed with you. thank you and keep creating mallbat💗💗

[@pinkjaguar12]

i'm struggling a bit with my identity nowadays, and i go by so many different names. sometimes i'm okay with my birth name, bc i associate a lot of nostalgia with it. i like it when my parents call me by a silly nickname that only they use. but sometimes, when i introduce myself to potential employers or places that need my legal name for whatever reason, i get so upset that i'm having to use my legal name. but then i don't know what i actually want to be called. i started going by a new name, the first deviation from my birth name that i tried, and i like it well enough. this video is such a succinct yet moving encapsulation of what this feeling is. this experience of vibing but also not vibing but also just being straight up confused by the sounds and letters you use to identify yourself publicly. it's so bizarre. it's so weird. i hate it, i love it. one day i hope to have the confidence to officially settle, but it's stories like this one that make me feel at peace with maybe not ever doing that. thx for the lovely video. wishing you well.

[@YanchisWrittenVoice]

As a trans man who used a poll from good friends in high school when it came to become my beloved name. I have been going by the name Sean since I was 16 and I’m now 26. Since having top surgery nearly a year ago, I have never felt more confident in my identity. This video was extremely adorable and I absolutely love your stop motion. Please keep it up when you are able. You deserve all kinds of love and support ❤

[@DrDoggoat]

It was about time someone finally put this into words. I've struggled with my identity and the life my family forced onto me but were too negligent to actually help with. My name is not beholden to the whims of horrible people who shouldn't be around or have children.

[@ameliacrossley8485]

Fuck. That tree staring scene hits really hard on the 3rd or 4th watch, and having read someone else's comments about it. I often find myself staring way up at the tree in front of my childhood home (still live there), thinking about how much shorter it used to be, but how much bigger it felt as a kid. I dunno. Being trans myself, and watching the video quickly flick back thriugh your childhood, it reminds me that despite everything I've been through in the past few years, I'm still me, just. Right. Thanks for making this amazing video, and thank you for sharing it with the world. edit: gods i wish i could like this video an extra like 5 times

[@JustSomeBridgeTroll333]

The part about your Confirmation really resonated with me. I knew I was genderqueer/non-binary from a young age and I always liked having a unisex name, since it didn't feel as expected of me to be girly. As a teenager I dreaded picking a saint name since they usually lean towards masculine or feminine, until I remembered St. Valentine. Not only is it gender neutral, but he's the patron saint of love and mental illness, two things that have been driving forces my whole life. It felt so right hearing the bishop say my full name for all to hear, even if I didn't believe in the Catholic faith.

[@Dude_bruh]

even at the time?

[@tibbygaycat]

Hell yeah that name is awesome.

[@briannasatou9950]

This video is so raw, and so real. I was fortunate enough to settle on a name that i had originally given an OC, but i am so patient with my friends going through their names. Some have picked, some are still looking, and some apologize for keep changing their name, and i gotta remind them that it's okay. Im gonna send this to any friends who apologize to show them that its all okay, that names dont mean anything, as long as you enjoy it

[@EvanDaGr8]

I'm not someone this video is for. I've never wanted to change my name, I've never wanted to transition, nothing. Despite that, this video was absolutely touching. That camera cut from animation to real life was so nice. What a beautiful way to convey a simple message. The internet truly does unlock freedom an individual was not able to obtain in the past. I was moved to tears when you told me your full-name.

[@timymax]

I've had plenty of existential crisis in my day but I think this was the first time I've experienced an existential experience before. Thank you for sharing your name with me

[@spiralghosts]

A rare thanks to the algorithm for showing me this gem. What a wonderful piece of art. The point about a name not having a character limit is an amazing revelation about identity.

[@seraaron]

For such a short and simple peice of art, there is something deeply profound about this. I cried the first time I watched it, and I've watched it almost every day since it came out over the last two weeks, and teared up most times in rewatching. I just showed it to my therapist, and cried again. We talked about it for almost an hour. I can't even begin to explain in a youtube comment 'why', but reading some of the other comments... I think you *get* it. All I can say is, thank you, Jesse.

[@Fridgeson_]

ngl the transition from the animation to the real life footages was smooooth

[@rabiscomistico]

your name is as cool as your artwork, thanks for being such a great inspiration to all of us from de AMG community (Artists Multiclassing Gender)

[@mallbat]

first time i'm hearing AMG used before omfg new gender unlocked

[@LivTheCosmicHorror]

This felt life changing in the way that stumbling upon one of those adult swim original programs at 5 am when you wake up randomly does. Surreal and unique. Hard to put into words.

[@beholdingsarchivist]

as an enby whos always had difficulty sticking with a name this really hit home for me. thank you. so far ive been aj, luca, moth, argo, and archivist. i actually was completely nameless for a bit too. i dont know how many more names i will have or if argo and archivist will stick, but thats okay. someone very close to me said that names are kind of like clothes, sometimes you switch things up, or grow out of them. sometimes they dont fit anymore or you just dont really like them. sometimes one will stick with you for years, even as others change. sometimes your name never changes. whatever name makes you happy and comfortable in the moment is a good name

[@oceanflowerrs]

i watched this and then closed it and then 2 minutes later i started crying. this is really sweet in a way i dont know how to put into words. thank you

[@Gregsistentialism]

This hits. Though I’m not trans, I do go by two names depending on the company. One is my birth name which I use with my family, strangers, coworkers and overall in formal settings. My other name I chose after finally leaving my old school, where I suffered with mental health and identity issues everyday. The new name felt like I was creating a better path for myself, as if I was cutting away that old sad kid who was clinging to me like a tick to flesh. Although I still go by my newer name around my closest friends, I’ve grown to appreciate that child who stood through so much and I’ve promised to not abandon him too.

[@Matzu-Music]

Indeed there is no character limit on names. That's why mine is 39 Characters Long

[@pepperclap]

whats your name

[@waffleking2125]

​@@pepperclap '39 characters long' obviously, that's what they said

[@pepperclap]

@@waffleking2125 omg im actually stupid Let's cut right to the chase I don't want to overexplain Though this may seem selfish and rude, I can't recall your name I know that's hard to hear And I'm sorry if it hurts It's not you, it's me My brain just doesn't work We've gotten oh, so close I count you as a true friend But you only introduced yourself just once, when we first met Your taste in almost everything is just the same as me But your name has fled my memory Don't know why I'm so nervous I'm sure you'd understand That this forgotten memory wasn't intentionally planned I should just spit it out But I'm scared that I'll hurt you In the best case scenario you forgot my name too I know your favorite color, favorite animals and things I recognize your username, which is just why it stings This jacked up goldfish memory I have brings me great shame It's just that I'm especially bad with names I didn't think we'd talk much when you first came Please don't think that our friendship's some sick game I'm sorry Forgive me But I I forgot your name

[@demonindenim]

nice to meat you, 39 Long

[@Izzyandmore123]

@@pepperclapi ain’t readin allat

[@emo4me]

OH. MY. GOSH I'm usually not the kind of person to comment on a video, but who cares its just words on the internet. When i saw the title and the thumbnail i thoughts i would be like a tutorial about how to get a new name (lmao i don't know my brain is weird sometimes) And I'm just chocked, but not in a bad way. The animation is so pretty and wellmade honestly i thought it would at least have 100k view? This is so underrated. And the message is powerful too. At first I wanted to send the video to my trans bestie who struggles with finding a name (when i first thoughts this was a tutorial of some kind) but now I'm DEFINITELY sending it to her. This may sound stupid, but thank you. Thank you for putting out such a beautiful video. I still can't explain why it resonates so much with me but it does ❤

[@mallbat]

aw omg!! thank u sm!! :D

[@mildlymarvelous]

I wasn’t expecting this to suddenly get so beautiful and emotional in the middle. Amazing piece of cinematography.

[@Luzum]

I know right? I wasn't expecting it. Really cool cinematography

[@conno02]

this video feels very intimate and beautiful in a way that i can't quite explain or even comprehend. i feel like i was just given a crystal clear window into your brain

[@sharksuperiority9736]

Was looking for tips on choosing a name and ended up with potentially my favourite video on this entire platform. I am physically sick with emotion. Thank you for this

[@JKozlovable]

This felt really relatable for me. The legal name vs. chosen name conflict has given me much grief ever since I chose to go by a different name than the one I was born with. Recently, it got me into some trouble while trying to receive package that was addressed to my chosen name by accident, and I couldn't prove my identity with my ID. Luckily, the postal office was understanding, and gave me a special procedure to handle this one event. Yet it still was an annoyance. I gave myself a new name as a symbol of my rejection of my cultural heritage. And to this day, I still get a little upset every time I'm forced to use my old name instead of my new one.

[@shads3955]

This was a very touching video and I’m happy KZbin sometimes takes a break from recommending family guy funny moments to recommend videos like this out of nowhere. I am currently coming to terms with being genderfluid (he/him she/her). It’s funny because I’m AMAB and my name is Alex which is a gender neutral name but I still feel like I need a female name too. I’ve been mulling between a few names for a while now but your video did make me stop and think about why we have names, and what’s so wrong with throwing out old ones or even just adding new ones on top of the old ones. Very thought provoking, thank you

[@ChestersonJack]

Hey, I love meeting other he/him she/her combos! I get the feeling of having a gender neutral name and wanting one more explicitly gendered against the gender you were assigned, despite still identifying with that gender in part. I made up the name Chesterson, never heard of another one in real life, only ChesterTON, with a T. I wish you goodwill on your journey of having new names for yourself!

[@shads3955]

@@ChestersonJack I’m happy to meet another too! Doesn’t feel like there’s too many of us sometimes haha. And yes you’ve described how I feel very well! My name has become so associated with my male self and it works very well for that and I’m fond of it but it just doesn’t represent my female side. Chesterson is certainly a unique name, I’m glad you have found it for yourself :) and thank you for your kind words about my name. I most often try and decide between Emily, Erin and Beatrix

[@L_Aster]

That was my name, too! It’s funny to see because I’m trans coming from the other direction to a similar place (bigender). Even if my name was gender neutral, something about choosing a new one felt important. Like breaking the ice to transition

[@superStarshines]

TELL ME ABOUT IT PREEEACHHH You are at least an ally and that's all we need, friend🩵

[@superStarshines]

​@@ChestersonJacknice original name 😎

[@st0nks]

Forgetting your confirmation name is the most former Catholic person thing ever

[@ssppookkyyy]

this is so oddly comforting, like now i just really wanna play through a game in this style, i luv it

[@marcodragon4995]

This made me tear up a bit. Genuinely. I'm not trans or anything but just. The idea of names as self-expression. And the beauty of that expression. It feels really nice to hear. And really affirming.

[@RichConnerGMN]

"before a wizard turned me into a girl" i'm only 30 seconds in and this video is amazing, i love everything about it this is so much better than i thought it would be, wtf, i love it

[@oogaooga0000]

What a perfect thing to stumble upon while in the middle of a hyper-existential hyper-crisis

[@Swagsteroo]

Ummm HOW ARE YOU UNDERRATED??? The animation- the message- it’s CHEFS KISS!! You have earned yourself a new subscriber ✨

[@MellowLol]

I’m ngl I thought this was a tutorial for how to make a good username, but turns out it’s something even better

[@frogwizard5477]

This video made me cry. You have represented these emotions so well, which I have barely seen anywhere else

[@Im_in-your_walls11]

Damn bruh, I came here to get a name for tumblr, tf is this cinematic masterpiece 😭

[@fakemoth1068]

1:36 mall bar becomes real

[@Fi6ment]

i don’t even know how to put into words what this video means to me. you’ve created something beautiful and incredible- something inspiring but gentle. i don’t know where im going in life and honestly i don’t know where i am now but it’s not the best of places. your video is like a breath of fresh air in both simplicity and complexity and i didn’t wanna pass by without letting you know how amazing of an experience it is. i’ve struggled with names a lot too, i mean; it’s like the amount of exhausting self-discovery to find a name you feel fits you has so much pressure involved enough to make you pop. but, i’m happy with the name i go by- mostly online. i like that i got to choose the person i want to be seen as when i find myself behind the screen. i’m happy i got to choose a name that has a lot of meaning to me and also respond to it like second nature. i’ve had people i know both online and irl call me Figment by accident and it takes a minute to catch it because it feels so right. i’ve once left my name on an order to pick-up as Figment by accident because it’s the name attached to my email and have had people ask if it’s my real name. i told them it wasn’t, but sometimes, in some ways, it feels like it is. thank you for the wonderful video, you’re an amazing person :)

[@_fetcher]

whoa, the switch from photogrammetry to an IRL shot caught me off-guard in a fantastic way. Technically impressive, well edited. All of that wrapped up with a heartwarming story and a great message. (Side note: your 2d face rig is pretty cool.)

[@TheRealMutttastic]

so i know the phrase "living in my head rent free" is tossed around p casually these days, but ive literally been thinking about this video for hours, seen it what must have been a dozen times already since first watching it yesterday, its so so so so good, the script, the message, the editing, the animation, everything is just so powerful, this video might actually change my life, im holding back tears just writing this... and none of this is exaggeration or hyperbole either, i really do feel this strongly about it! youre probably younger than me, or at least seem like you might be, but i still wanna grow up to be like you someday. from the absolute bottom of my heart, thank you so so so so much for this absolute blessing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ariature]

I LOVE THE VIBE, THE EDITING, THE MEANING, THE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS VIDEO IS SO BEAUTIFUL

[@annaholdennn]

I don’t have a name that I use right now outside of the one my parents gave me. I’m currently attending a christian school and don’t feel safe enough to come out to everyone here, but once I start at university, my plan is to just introduce myself with a new name that I like at the time and that’s how I’ll get a proper name.

[@goober7601]

not sure if this is what you were going for but the tree part was a very good depiction of just one of those moments where you space out but are also 100% just absolutely starstruck by the beauty of reality and it just fills you with this overwhelming peace and thankfulness to just everything. ALSOOO JUST LIKE I ADOREEE YOUR ANIMATION OR JUST ARTSTYLE IDKKK ITS SOO AMAZINGGGGG

[@OptimalLeisure]

0:25 I was not ready for a transition to be described as the work of a wizard, and the siren censoring the dead name overloaded my brain, great stuff.

[@five.is.da.best.numba..]

my parents are catholic to lol, during my confirmation I choose saint valentine, most bad ass thing I’ve ever done lol.

[@bedrocksbones]

saint valentine goes hard tbh

[@extrapathos]

This video is very comforting to me, not just because I'm struggling to find a new name. I love the silence, scenery, natural movements of your sprite. It's intimate, like I'm sitting there with you just chilling. It's a break from all the loudness and hussle and bussle, it really winds me down and even helps me sleep.

[@beans.3979]

hi I don't usually leave comments like these but, watching this I cry a bit lol. And I want you to know that I come from a very similar situation (epic trans femme from not so epic religious family) and picking something out like a name can seem like the most trivial task, but for others it means a change that they don't exactly desire. Change can be scary for a lot of people! But I'm glad that things do change it's sorta part of natural order. Tides shift, the sun rises and sets, and people come and go. And I for one embrace change! In all of it's weirdness and uncertainty:)) Anyways this went on for a tad bit longer than expected 😅 Thank you for sharing your name with us ❤

[@cheescak]

*jesse we need to cook*

[@aiemyeah952]

I think I really needed to hear this, I literally can’t possibly thank you enough. I’ve been struggling with my name a lot lately, like I don’t like my “real name” but I also don’t know how I feel about the other ones I’ve come up with. But hearing this made me realize that it doesn’t matter. I should try out the names and evolve with them. A name is like a person, they can change and grow up to be a whole new thing. Thank you.

[@counterfeitubiquity]

hey. saw this video in my recommended and proceeded to binge most of your animations. your art has fundamentally changed me as a person im only slightly obsessed literally dont even worry about it👍

[@maxencerivest5132]

the eye transition was so clean, and the ambiance noises really added to the vibe

[@slugginatubb]

my name is now peter griffin

[@zpxckirl]

‘Ey Peter.

[@nonbinarybastard]

Hi Peter

[@axiad__]

'Ey Peter.

[@kitkat2849-b3h]

'Ey Peter.

[@pez_ezp]

'Ey Peter Do you thibk. We would neet in every universe

[@ViviTheEnbyWitch]

great vid! I have personally changed names after transitioning, because Vivian sounded way cooler and fitting for me, but I do still use Luna (especially in Polish, cause unfortunately Vivian just doesn't fit there. language vibes can be weird)

[@A.BrandonAlford]

i never thought i'd hear the brick testament get referenced today lol

[@Protodoggy]

I love how the video is drenched in style, just oozing with creativity, absolutely saturated with talent, positively soggy with artistry.

[@GoMoment13]

This is, without overstating it, the best video I have ever seen.

[@mopishlynx2323]

This has such a wonderful vibe to it, aside from the great production. It feels more like a friendly conversation than a written-out script, and I like that a lot. Names are a difficult thing for me. Most of the time I feel scared to express what I want to be called, convincing myself it's not important anyway. It's not even that people around me arent supportive; I just don't feel comfortable enough in my own skin yet. Everyone around me is slowly adjusting to me being a girl, and they're all trying so hard, and I can't help but not want to bother them with it. The words on a paper or vibrations in the air may not be very important, but learning to explore yourself, even if it's something seemingly pointless, is a wonderful exercise for everything else you need for a stable mind. I find a lot of peace in the idea that, if I were to make a mistake or misinterpret a feeling, it's all going to be okay, and it's my name anyway, so what does it matter if there's 3 or 4 potential candidates floating around at a given time. It's okay to be a bit messy with it; the Name Police will not chase you down. Even though it was short, this was a wonderful video. Thank you! -Mallow

[@Tribar42]

That was fucking beautiful piece of art. 😭

[@pining_tree6788]

I am cis, and so far have been comfortable with my own birth name, but I get it. Being Jewish I was also given a Hebrew name at birth, and while I love it I am aware that it is a bit unusual even for Hebrew. And with the many years I’ve been online and the different forms it’s taken, I’ve watched my usernames shift over time, and the names people online call them with me. I see people with names from other languages choose an ‘English’ name to go by instead, and I want to work my way into their heads and try to understand. I remember chatting with the international student who was still deciding on her ‘English name’, learning about her name and its meanings and offering up suggestions on that theme (she didn’t choose any I gave but who cares I’m sure she’s happy with what she chose). These things are so much more fluid than we realize, so it’s ok to let it shift with you

[@pxncakepup]

You understand the experience perfectly, I cried and I thank you for that. It means I’m not alone

[@Roux36Prod]

I went into this expecting a shitpost, but this got really philosophical in a way that I both didn’t expect and absolutely love.

[@m.fraguelaxd2546]

This video should have like a quintillion views not four hundred! It's really beautiful

[@dishfishes]

This was so wonderful. I’ve had bad intrusive thoughts tonight. I think this helped shake them off. Thank you.

[@rosemarycutie]

its exactly what i did today! i feel more comfy and better as Sabine! :) I'm glad I stumbled upon your channel, almost made me cry seeing this video.

[@KK-hd1jw]

I was intrigued as to what exactly I was clicking onto, but I’m so glad I stayed. I love the way you talk and how you are animated, and I find the style of the video very nostalgic and almost bittersweet. I love how you talked about your names in a kind of way that made it like a tangent, made it feel more humble and relaxed for me. This is amazing work, I’m in love with this

[@4sh579]

jesse, i’ve seen many things, and this has to be one of the most beautiful things i’ve seen out of all of them. i love what this represents, i relate to it a lot and needed to hear your message. thank you for sharing this part of you. keep being you