a process an individual goes through in order to change the name they are known by socially (e.g. being known to friends and family by a name) and/or legally (e.g. on official records).
Transgender/nonbinary individuals may opt to change their name to better reflect their gender identity; others may opt to change their name for numerous other reasons.
Any previous names are known as deadnames, and the referring to them by their deadname is known as deadnaming: deliberately deadnaming trans and nonbinary people is transphobic, and certainly, referring to anybody by a name in which they do not like is antagonistic and rude.
Originally published: 7th December, 2020
Last modified: 7th December, 2020