My most recent playthroughs:
started as "Ravele", fought one spirit, became "Avey" and promptly lost every letter in my name. Ravele was not strong.
Aulxen, on the other hand... Aulxen->AulxErda->AulxErdl->AulxXero->AulxXegr->Aluxer and I decided to retire my chracter there, retaining most of her previous identity