deadname
deadname Lexical Profile
deadname Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The birth name or former name of a transgender or nonbinary person who has changed their name as part of their gender transition.
"The university updated its administrative records so that the student's deadname would no longer appear on class rosters."
• verb
To address or refer to a transgender or nonbinary person by their birth name or former name after they have adopted a new name as part of their gender transition.
"He apologized immediately after realizing he had accidentally deadnamed his colleague during the meeting."
Word Nuance & Usage
Intentional deadnaming is widely considered disrespectful and harmful toward transgender and nonbinary individuals, as it invalidates their gender identity and may disclose their transgender status without consent.
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 2010s within online transgender communities as a compound of 'dead' and 'name', signifying a former name that is no longer active or valid.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.