Why A Name Change?

Whether you’re a provider, client, or just a quiet adventurer through this little “underworld”, I think we can all recount at least one instance of speculation on public forums as to why a provider would change their name. Many conjectures I’ve noticed generally pertain to reputation or safety. Upon telling a few select people that I would be making this shift, I was asked if I was okay safety-wise. That’s a completely valid question in such a heavily stigmatized profession! While I truly appreciated the concern for my well-being, I am glad to report that factors of safety did not play a role in my decision to become Evie. 😊

In regards to reputation though, I will say I had a lot to consider! Not for nefarious reasons, but more so because “Berlin Moss” had garnered such a revered status amongst the communities I was active in.

So why did I change? Let’s get into it!

Berlin Moss came about in 2017 (or was it ’16? Who even keeps track anymore?) when I made the move to become a Toronto provider from the Niagara, Hamilton, and Burloak areas. Long-time followers may remember me as Lucy and/or even Ivy if they go back far enough. In coming to Toronto, I wanted a name I could build upon that felt like it fit me, and at the time, that one did. I had a certain alternative edge to my appearance: bi-coloured hair, piercings, tattoos – the whole bit. I thought that a city name would reflect my love for travel, so I decided on Berlin. While Berlin itself is renowned for its alternative art and general liveliness, to me, it also sounded pretty as a woman’s name. And so, Berlin Moss came to be.

Over the years things changed, as they tend to do. My appearance, my personal style… I found a new appreciation for my look in softer feminine aesthetics. More and more, I felt a general disconnect from the name Berlin. I think around 2020 is when I first started thinking about changing things up. I have an extensive list of potential names in an old journal that I’d revisit and add to as time passed. There were a few on that initial list that I always came back to though. Spoiler alert: Evie was one of them.

But I always chickened out! How would people find me? Would I do a whole “rebranding”? (Ugh, so much time, so many logistics!) I received a lot of positive remarks on the name I had already chosen. (I think the best was someone telling me, “What a cool name. Berlin Moss sounds like the bad-ass main character in a novel.”) With such great feedback, why even bother? So, I’d put the list away and, well: wash, rinse, and repeat.

That feeling of disconnect from the name, though? Yeah, that persisted. Sometime in the summer of 2023, the decision to rename was made. Naturally, as someone who can’t half-ass anything I put my mind to, I also tasked myself with an entire overhaul of the business side of things. Entirely new website, new communication methods, new photos, everything had to be just right.

I went through dozens of first names, then surnames. (Thanks to my wonderful friends in this business for putting up with an endless barrage of questions, “…Ok, but how does this one sound?”) I kept going back to Evie. The name seemed to be the favourite for those I asked, including myself (most importantly).

Thus, my decision to retire the “Berlin Moss” name did not come lightly. I have so many memories spanning back through the entirety of my time with it. It’s no wonder that the name holds a lot of sentimental value, in the same way that Ivy and Lucy do.

I’ve always approached my role in this industry with unwavering authenticity. The way I see it, the name I choose becomes a part of my identity as an extension of myself. When that feels out of alignment, sometimes it takes a little pivot to get things adjusted to where they should be.

Overall, I am very excited about this change; truthfully it feels long overdue. I’m so grateful to all the people I have met over the years who have contributed in so many ways to my success as Berlin. I have an overwhelmingly positive outlook on the future as Evie and I can’t wait to share it with all of you!

-E