Becoming CandeeB: Why I Chose the Name

This weekend I was asked about the name CandeeB and the “why” behind it. And honestly? I stumbled a bit. I answered the question, but I didn’t feel confident in how I said it. This whole thing—stepping into my voice, sharing my story, showing up as her—it’s still new to me.

That moment made me realize: if you know me in real life as Candace, you might be wondering the same thing. Why CandeeB? Why not just Candace? Or Candace Tyrae?

Here’s the truth.

Candee is short for Candace—it was actually a childhood nickname that kind of faded away over the years. But during one of the hardest chapters of my life, I found myself reaching for her again. She became more than just a name. She became my alter ego. The part of me that could still speak, still create, still hold it together when everything else was falling apart. She gave me permission to be bold, emotional, gritty, and graceful; unapologetically.

And the B? That stands for Butterfly. Secretly, I’ve always loved the metamorphosis process of a butterfly—it’s always resonated with me. Something about going inward, shedding old layers, and emerging softer and stronger at the same time… it just speaks to my spirit. I didn’t just survive—I transformed. I evolved. I grew wings from pain, from grief, from growth. And even in the chaos, I chose to rise.

I write under CandeeB because she holds the parts of me that fought, that healed, that still dare to dream. My strength lives in her. My softness, too. And in this season of becoming, she’s who I trust to tell the story.

Own your storm. Protect your peace. Move with grace.

-CandeeB

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Reflect with Me

Because growth is even more beautiful when we pause to notice it.

Want to go deeper? Grab your journal and sit with this:

If you could rename yourself for the version of you that survived, healed, or transformed.... What would her name her and why?

Describe the strength softness, or story that name holds; and how it shows up in the woman you are today.