Caitlyn Jenner Reveals the Secrets of How She Chose Her Name

Caitlyn Jenner | Photo Credits: Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair

What's in a name? Quite a lot as it turns out!

Caitlyn Jenner recently revealed to Vanity Fair that she first began the search process for her name two years ago. Two years! That's more thought than most people give when picking out names for their children. It's probably why we end up with so many Ashleys (no offense, Ashleys of the world).

"It's one of the hardest things in life--choosing your own name," Jenner told the magazine. She liked the names Heather and Cathy, but Caitlyn was the name that stuck out in her mind. She said she also watched the Miss America pageant for inspiration to see if any of the names felt like the right choice. When her assistant suggested Caitlyn independently, Jenner said, "I love that name, too!" And the rest, as they say, is history.

Caitlyn Jenner's mother perfectly responds to Vanity Fair cover

But how did she choose that specific spelling? There are several ways to spell the name, and as a lifelong Kaitlin, I might be a bit biased on the "proper" spelling of our shared name. But Jenner has very solid reasons for choosing to spell her name with a C.

After going back and forth, she decided it was "best to break tradition, and the media associations" that accompanied the Kardashian name with which she has been so closely associated over the years. And it's hard to disagree with her reasoning there.

The Vanity Fair issue featuring Caitlyn Jenner will be available on newsstands on June 9.

Look back on Caitlyn Jenner's inspiring journey: