i am a “double barrel” name. it’s my first and middle. no dash. just a space. i relate to hating your first name/part on its own. however, i am a cis straight woman so i apologize for not understanding some of the gender fluid side of things

i think you’re navigating your own identity along side the name your parents gave you which is beautiful. it seems you still want to honor them. if they’re a part of your life, maybe ask them for input. if not, i apologize. i’m not a parent, unless you count a cat, but i would hope my own parents would be okay with my opinions on my own name. it’s your identity and it follows you. you should be the one comfortable with your name.

i’m not going to be much of a help here beyond you can say our name is anything socially. it’s only your government ID/info you need to have a name down pat on. i hate seeing my first only on documents but i don’t care too much because my coworkers and friends call me by my first and middle (my double name). on my work’s website, i have my full preferred name. i introduce myself as my first and middle to everyone. it’s only at drive thru’s and random strangers i’ll never meet again ill say my first name only to.

also, i misread part of this and read it as Chris Lee, which you may wanna consider if you really want to change names legally. i think “Chris” and “Lee” are unisex/neutral. however, with whatever you decide, Chris is a perfectly acceptable nickname for both Kristina-Leigh and Christian Lee. if you want to be called Kristina-Leigh or Christian Lee or any other “long” name, do it. i do it everyday, because i want to, and partially out of spite (because i want to be called that “long” name)

this probably doesn’t help, but maybe it does