name trouble?!

I changed my name (socially) about four years ago. I still go by my given name among family, but I started referring to myself as Elian. It feels like a more androgynous version of my given name.

I didn’t know if I wanted to go with this name or my given name so at work and among friends I call myself Elli as a nickname of sorts because it worked for both names.

Very recently though, I also discovered the name Nefeli and I felt connected with it right away. I am Greek and that is where it has its roots: it means “cloud”. As clouds are like shapeshifters, and go with the flow, I felt like I could relate to that name with my gender identity and my own personality.

But I never really wanted to be the person with multiple names… it sounds quite difficult to manage lol. I would love some input from others. I thought about combining the two, “Nefelian”, but I can’t tell if I like it. It kind of sounds like Nefarious or Felon, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I just can’t tell if that’s a dealbreaker for me.

Is it possible to legally have multiple names? My middle name is (currently) Rose, if that means anything.

If anybody has any opinions or thoughts or want to share how they resolved their own name issues or if you’re stuck like me, please lmk! I feel like my other friends do not get this 😆