# Signing posts with RL first names **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 24, 2003, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023 "2003-11-24T16:08:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krisfer_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/41 "2003-11-26T01:26:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SmackFu \* > \*\*If I wanted to use my real name on the board, I would use it as a username. \*\* My opinion exactly. What’s the point of having a username if you’re going to sign the post with your real name? Oh yeah… I really am Kris… woulda been Kristopher except someone forgot to turn off the estrogen at the correct time 😃 ---
**Author:** ![luluBahrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e5b9ba/32.png) [@luluBahrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luluBahrain)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/42 "2003-11-26T01:30:49Z")
The mystery… Valerie ---
**Author:** ![Shrinking\_Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Shrinking\_Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shrinking_Violet)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/43 "2003-11-26T08:53:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MissBHaven \* > \*\*I think of a post as more of a conversation & it never occured to me to sign it… > > \*\* We differ here … I think of posting on a message board as akin to sending an email to a group of people, not having a “real time” conversation as you would in, say, a chatroom. As to signing with our real names when we already have handles on the board … why do we sign emails, when our email address tells the recipient who we are? To me it adds a personal touch, and makes the message (email OR post) seem more sincere. 🙂 **hopefool** … what is an “internym”… is it another word for handle? Julie ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/44 "2003-11-26T09:08:32Z")
I haven’t ever signed my posts with my RL first names (either of 'em – which are Lisa, or Elisabeth, depending on formality and how much tax I might owe). Haven’t anything against the practice – it does look kinda nice and folksy. But if I were to sign off, it’d most likely be “Wolfie”, and there are a number of pack members around, so I don’t go in for the confusion. (Got given that nick-of-a-nick by fellow G’Dopers, and it’s grown on me. Darn 'em.) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/45 "2003-11-26T09:20:30Z")
I’ve posted both my first and last names on here at different times, but never in the same thread, because as far as I know I’m the only person in the world with my first and last names and I’d rather not be Googled. That’s really my only objection to it; my parents have both mentioned Googling my name out of curiosity, and I’ve posted things on here that I would _definitely_ not want my parents to read. - Adam ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/46 "2003-11-26T09:26:44Z")
My first name really is Kyla. Maybe if I registered today, I’d come up with a fun username (or more likely, use my alternate handle, postmoderngirl), but back in the _olden_ days when I first started posting on the Dope, we did actually sign our posts with our first names quite often, and everyone knew me as Kyla (although this was back on AOL, so I had a different username). When this board came into existence, I wanted to make sure people knew who I was, so I just registered under my name. It’s not terribly exciting, and I suppose I could change it, but I haaaaaate it when people change their usernames, so I suppose I’ll leave it be. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/47 "2003-11-26T13:42:50Z")
I can’t see the point in signing a post. My name is there \<------ for everyone to see, and if someone wants to know my full name and address, they can email me. I’m sure that my husband or I have posted our last name at some point, and my first name for sure. And, Weirddave’s first name is Dave. Shocking, I know. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/48 "2003-11-26T14:07:04Z")
I like being referred to as Ellis, and also ED. I’ve been using Ellis Dee as a handle for everything tech-related for so long now that I strongly identify with it. When my buddies and I get together to play Madden, it sounds more natural when I say something like “Bills against Jester, Steelers against Ellis.” And I have grown to like to the sound of both Ellis and ED, and will likely turn around if I hear either name called out in public. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/49 "2003-11-26T14:18:52Z")
I’ve always signed my name to my posts. And, yes, my name is Robin. I just spell it with a “y” online so people know my gender. I did consider changing the legal spelling of my first name for a while, but it didn’t look “right”. Go figure. Robin ---
**Author:** ![Daftbugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Daftbugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daftbugger)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/50 "2003-11-26T16:49:45Z")
Everyone does seem to think that Daftbugger must be male. I haven’t signed off with my real name, but as half of America seems to have my name, I don’t really mind. Jenny ---
**Author:** ![Mearl\_Dox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@Mearl\_Dox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mearl_Dox)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/51 "2003-11-26T17:20:22Z")
I could sign my posts “Angela,” but it wouldn’t really have any more impact on anyone here than “Mearl,” would it? I don’t hide my name, but I like the name Mearl, and even my girlfriend calls me that half the time… ---
**Author:** ![Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bren_Cameron_1)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/52 "2003-11-26T18:31:12Z")
I’m another one who feels my username is my name when I’m here. And since it’s right up there next to my post, I don’t see the point in signing it, although it doesn’t bother me when someone does. I do find it odd, though, when the signed name isn’t the username. Why not make them the same, if you want to be known by your “real” name? I do use the net for social interaction–I’m home with small kids, and the Dope and a few other places are my source for adult conversation during the day. Still, I like being able to choose my name. And I have a few online friends who I never think of with their real names, even though I know them. One friend of mine considers my “real name” to be a sort of pseudonym, since obviously my actual name is the one she knows from the board we both frequent. > [@](#): > > Anyway, if you name was Anne wouldn’t you prefer any other one? Absolutely–even without the “e.” ---
**Author:** ![mipiace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@mipiace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mipiace)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/53 "2003-11-27T02:11:21Z")
I mail with a few people who I feel comfortale enough with to use my real name but on a public board I would be offended if any of them used my real name. You never know who is reading or when I would really want my anonymity protected. ---
**Author:** ![Vlad\_Dracul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/50afbb/32.png) [@Vlad\_Dracul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vlad_Dracul)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/54 "2003-11-27T09:19:11Z")
“E” and “T” are already the most-used letters on the keyboard… I think they’re taking enough of a beating as it is! 🙂 Steve ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/55 "2003-11-27T21:51:19Z")
My name is in my username, so it would be a bit pointless signing off with my name. It’s already there! ---
**Author:** ![Burnt\_Sugar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@Burnt\_Sugar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burnt_Sugar)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/56 "2003-11-28T00:18:40Z")
Even in real life, people don’t call me by my first name, so why start a trend? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/57 "2003-11-28T00:38:09Z")
I’ll give you a hint to reveal my real first name, but only after much duress. Hint: remove the first and last letters of my username. - Bonzo ---
**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/58 "2003-11-28T05:32:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mirror Image egamI rorriM \* > \*\*I know **Horseflesh** ’s real name! Just his first name, though. I also know mine–it’s Lindsay, which I know I’ve used on the boards before. \*\* And I’ve paid you well to keep it to yourself. Okay, I’ll fess up – the real reason I don’t use my real first name to sign off with is because the mob is after me for a sizeable chunk of change I was supposed to hand over to them after Kennedy’s assasination. I lost it at a gas station somewhere in Barstow. BTW, Lindsay’s last name really is **Rorrim**. 😛 Raoul Lipshitz (a shiny new white mouse to anyone who recognizes the movie that character is from) ---
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/59 "2003-12-14T09:27:48Z")
Well… I shouldn’t talk about this sort of thing. But… I have posted my first and last names on this board before. Leslie ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023/60 "2003-12-14T15:30:30Z")
SV, I don’t sign my name simply because most everyone else doesn’t. I’m just following the local social convention. On other boards, where almost everyone signs, I sign too. So your question really becomes: “How or why did this particular board evolve this particular social convention?” And those kinds of questions are pretty much unanswerable. Presumably it just happened that way when the boards first got started. I wasn’t here then & can’t say for sure. Compared to other boards I’ve been on, the SDMB does a lot more TMI and folks are pretty open; that may drive a greater requirement for the anonymity of a made-up username and no IRL name posted. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-posts-with-rl-first-names/215023.md?page=4)