"Thou art thyself, though not a Montague". 

I could, of course, say "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."  But that would be cliché...

However, the cool girls group, "My name is Cheryl" have graciously extended an invitation to join them.  Think about the Cheryls you knew in high school.  These were popular girls.  You always had at least two cheer leaders on the squad named Cheryl.  A lot of actresses and models named Cheryl.  Then I come to Active Rain and discover they are still popular, clever and cool!

Now think about the Margarets you knew.  Um, right.  No supermodels in that group.  The only television Margaret I can remember is on Dennis the Menace.  She was a goody two shoes.  How about famous Margarets?  You have Margaret Thatcher, the politician, Margaret Mead, the anthropologist, Margaret Mitchell, the author. These are competent, fierce, driven women.

New agents have to make an immediate name decision: What name will they use on their business cards?  You may have been Patty or Bill for 20 years - Are you now Patricia or William?

Names are like the clothes we wear.  People form impressions based on appearance, including our names.  Next we have to name a website, then a blog.

Here's a little secret:  My family calls me Peggy, an Irish nickname for Margaret.  My poker buddies call me Ginger, for my reddish hair.  My Vegas name...  Oh wait, that's another blog.

Yet I chose the more formal Margaret.  Why?  First, there is the legal formality.  I have to sign all documents that way.  Second, I know from working in the corporate world that not everyone immediately recognizes the name as the same as an author BUT it seems vaguely familiar and perhaps important, and my calls get returned quicker.

And at the end of the day, I want to have the qualities that this name evokes: competent, fierce and on a real estate mission!

What decision did you make on your real estate name and why?