Names are a powerful part of identity. For many trans+, nonbinary, and other gender-diverse people, changing their name is an important step in living as their authentic selves. A deadname is the name a person no longer uses, often the one assigned at birth. When someone uses this name instead of their chosen name, it’s called deadnaming. This article explains what deadnaming is, why it’s harmful, and how to avoid it.
Deadnaming means using a name a person no longer uses
A deadname is most often the name given at birth, but it can be any name a person has chosen to leave behind. Deadnaming happens when someone uses that name, whether by accident or on purpose. Even if unintentional, it can still be hurtful and invalidate a person’s gender identity. Using someone’s chosen name is a basic way to show respect and affirm who they are.
Why deadnaming is harmful
Deadnaming can cause emotional distress and reinforce feelings of dysphoria or invisibility. For many in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, their chosen name reflects their true self, and being called by their deadname can feel like being pulled back into a past that doesn’t represent them. When done intentionally, deadnaming is a form of disrespect and can contribute to harassment or discrimination. Even when accidental, it’s important to acknowledge the mistake, apologize, and correct it moving forward.
How to avoid deadnaming
Avoiding deadnaming starts with actively using and remembering a person’s chosen name. This may mean updating contact lists, records, or files. If you make a mistake, keep your correction short, apologize if needed, and move on without making it a bigger issue. Over-apologizing can put the emotional burden on the person who was deadnamed rather than on the person who made the error.
Conclusion
Using someone’s chosen name is one of the simplest and most important ways to respect their identity. Avoiding deadnaming, whether in conversation, records, or introductions; it helps create safer and more affirming spaces for everyone in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, especially trans+, nonbinary, and other gender-diverse people.
Glossary Term
Deadname/Deadnaming: A deadname is a name that a trans+/nonbinary person no longer uses. Usually it is the name assigned at birth. When someone uses this name, whether intentionally or not, it is referred to as deadnaming. Deadnaming is considered offensive and hurtful.
Sources
GLAAD – Media Reference Guide: Transgender
The Trevor Project – Glossary of Terms
