Do you have Photoshop? If so, open a new file with, say, 4x3 inches dimension OR 16x9 inches (this could be centimeters, it's not important at all...) . These dimensions, according to the format you chose to shoot from the beginning. Hint: if what you see on the screen/viewfinder of your camera is exactly like TV, it's 4x3. If it's like a widescreen in theatre, it could be 16x9. Crash course: 4x3 equals four "units" of width by three "units" of height for your screen. 16x9: same method. Simple huh? You did know that? Ok, let's carry on...

In your new file, type and "customize" your name the exact way you want it to appear on the screen, place it in your window where you'd like to have it. You can change it later in VV3 but better do it as near as what you expect it to be right now, no?

The trick here is that you use the ALPHA CHANEL as a background. It's a transparent background that will let your picture show through in VV3. So look for it in Photoshop (I don't quite remember where it was...) (OK! I checked: when the first window apppears for your "new" file, check "transparent" below the window (in "contents"), this could make the background transparent...)
When everything is done in Photoshop, save as, let's say, a .jpg file.

You now export this file in VV3, place it on top in the timeline and "voilà"... your name appears on top of everything that's stacked underneat in the timeline !

The main thing to retain into this whole process: the "alpha chanel". It permits you to have a transparent background. I don't know what software you use to write your name but look for this... the "alpha chanel". Or a way to get the background transparent.

I know too there must be another way to do this, a little bit more complicated but still doable... maybe with the "parent" and "child" tracks or caches (masking) or chromakeying (which should be quite simple if you can get a "chroma-green" background for your name). But with the "alpha chanel", it's a bliss to make.
I talk a lot but while I was explaining all this to you, keep in mind you probably could have done it right now. It's very simple, I swear.

hee hee! #3 from Jessariah is probalby the simplest way for you to go!... now, I wrote all of this for nothin'... hahaha! sorry... but it works too, I swear again!

Hi Jenny-

All of the above directions are valid, however, the easiest way is to click on Text/Backgrounds (lower left side of your screen) then text, then your favorite setting with a checkerboard background. Drag it to a track above the video where you want it. If no track exists, create one: Insert>Video Track.

The text, and attributes can be endlessly adjusted, you will have to hunt around a little. Let us know how you make out or where you are having difficulty.

Hi Jenny,

There are some images here that you can use as an example:

http://www.martyhedler.com/homepage/VV3titles.html

When you drop the sample text into the timeline, the properties box will open and you can change the text to say "Jenny" or whatever), and size and position to please.

HTH, MPH

I've done LOTS of text on video and I think Swarrine has given you the best advice.

I'm SO glad you asked, Jenny. I tried the Swarrine way after reading the thread (thanks Tanjy...): if I knew before, or tried !!! There's even effects you can make, etc... it's a wonder in simplicity!!!

Also, when you drag a text box to the timeline and the dialog box opens, you can use Ctrl+A to select "Sample Text" then type your title.

One thing that fooled me when I was starting is that there is no "Save" button. You just close the dialog box and your adjustments are automatically saved.

Now you can deal with how you want your title event to enter and exit the screen. On the upper left and right side of the event are 2 little blue triangles. Drag them towards the center of the event. Your title will now fade in/out.

Other video editing programs limit transitions to one track, not VV3. Instead of a fade in/out, try a linear wipe. Go to your transitions dialog box (lower left) choose linear wipe and drag and drop the "top left diagonal soft" to the area that you created for fade in on your title clip. Voila! Your title wipes in.

Any transition can be used and keyframed in this manner. Play around with it and see what VV3 can do.