Lexicon Library.LGBT
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deadname

A name in which a person may previously have been known. This may be particularly pertinent, but not exclusive to, transgender and nonbinary individuals who may have been born with a name different to the name they now go by.

For example, a man who was assigned female at birth may have been born with the name ‘Julia’, but since transitioning goes by the name ‘John’. This would make ‘Julia’ his deadname, and referring to him as ‘Julia’ would be an act of deadnaming.

Much like deliberately ignoring an individual’s preferred pronouns, deliberate deadnaming is considered transphobic.

Originally published: 17th July, 2020
Last modified: 17th July, 2020