When I decided to join I knew I wanted a handle & tried a couple of ideas as Guest, whatever. Then I read some of the earlier threads on names to get more ideas. My last name is very unusual so I knew if I used it I may as well use my whole name. As a single woman I did not even really want my gender to be evident from my nickname. Burke is the name of the building I work in, but without noticing I picked a name that has my 1st initial. (Something subconscious going on there) Sometimes I'll sign with a B. which in a sense is closer to my real name, Barbara.I went for something nondescript, was successful & now am not sure I'm happy with my decision.