Dead name

/ˈdɛd.neɪm/ · noun

Meaning

(neologism, especially LGBTQ) A previous name of a person (especially a transgender person) who has since changed their name..

Definitions by Sense

1. (neologism, especially LGBTQ) A previous name of a person (especially a transgender person) who has since changed their name.
2. (transitive) To refer to someone (especially a transgender person) who has changed names by a previous name.

Example Sentences

“My deadname is everywhere because of my ID card, and not only do I have to look at it but lots of other people get to see. […]

And when people constantly refer to you as your deadname [a name that you previously went by], or use the incorrect pronouns, it really is like getting slapped with a wet fish.

One of the articles in our last issue contained a major error: we referred to a transgender student by their deadname.

I know it hurts you when they look at you strange Misgender you intentionally, use your deadname

"Right now, it's unclear whether they are choosing to deadname me maliciously, or just can't be bothered to accommodate trans students in the way we require them to," he said.

Using trans peoples' dead names – names that they were born with which are either wrong through either legal or preferential means – has been and always will be an act of aggression, not just to the person you're deadnaming but to all trans people.

Felix's dad deadnames him despite supporting his top surgery and hormone therapy, and he hates his mom for leaving when he was 10.

Synonyms for dead name

Antonyms for dead name

Related Words

Word Forms

• deadnames
• dead name
• dead-name
• deadnaming
• deadnamed

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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