Deadnaming Defined: Why Is it So Harmful?

Deadnaming occurs when someone refers to a nonbinary or transgender person by a name they no longer use—typically a birth name given to them before their transition. Changing a given name is a personal step in someone’s transitioning journey. Accidental and intentional deadnaming undermine a person’s gender identity. Even if a person’s legal name does not match their new identity, you should use their correct name and pronoun to avoid invalidating their true self.

Some accidentally deadname because they do not know of an individual’s recent transition or gender nonconformity. Intentional deadnaming stems from a disregard for a person’s new identity. When someone intentionally deadname, they refuse to acknowledge an individual’s new identity and true gender. This refusal often stems from not supporting an individual’s transition or the trans community overall.

Like misgendering, deadnaming is a harmful practice because it fails to recognize a person’s identity. Accidental deadnaming can equally upset or hurt others because it conveys a lack of awareness of the trans person’s life.

Intentional deadnaming is a form of verbal harassment and hurts an individual’s mental health, potentially causing depression and low self-esteem. Calling a person by the wrong name also triggers gender dysphoria, which can negatively affect a person’s sense of identity and emotional wellness.

Deadnaming happens in both professional and social settings. If you accidentally use someone’s former name, immediately apologize. Moving forward, address the person by their correct name. If you also use the wrong pronouns with their old name, correct yourself and carry the conversation forward.

Consider the below steps when someone uses your non-affirmed name:

1. 1. Explain your name change. If someone uses your previous name, politely mention your name change right after they use your old name. If you don’t feel comfortable correcting the person, ask a loved one to state your name and pronouns.
2. 2. Continue the conversation. After addressing the name change, continue the conversation. As you continue to talk with the person, see if they use your correct name. If the person continues to use your old name, remove yourself from the conversation.
3. 3. Surround yourself with advocates. Fostering a supportive group of people makes handling these conversations less overwhelming. Friends and family members who respect your transition can reinforce your true name and gender, especially when someone repeatedly uses the wrong name.

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