‘It’s a giant faux pas’: exploring young trans people’s beliefs about deadnaming and the term deadname

Abstract

Abstract Deadname is a term used to describe the name a trans person is given at birth and is a taboo topic in many trans communities. Research highlights the importance of using the chosen name of a trans person and the complex relationship young trans people have to their name(s). Drawing on interviews with young trans people in Canada and Australia, we explore the narratives they share about their relationship to their name given at birth. Through a theoretical framework that recognizes the importance of complex and even contradictory narratives in young trans people’s lives, we examine their narratives about their relationship to their name given at birth. We find that more nuance is needed to understand the significance of the words ‘deadname’ and ‘deadnaming’ in young trans people’s lives. We can all better support young trans people by recognizing they have diverse experiences and relationships to their name given at birth. We consider what this looks like when applied to educational and medical spaces.