Gender Identity, Gender Affirmation, and Self-Perceptions of Birth Name

Though scholars have investigated gender stereotypes associated with a baby’s name, empirical research has primarily been done on cisgender samples and has neglected examination of the role of names in the gender identity and development of transgender and gender nonconforming people (TGNC), despite the particular importance names may hold for this population. The current study focused on the role that the (mis)match between one’s name assigned at birth (NAB) and gender identity plays in gender dysphoria, the gender affirmation process, and harm/support from family and friends. Surveying a TGNC sample (N = 66) in 2023–24, we generally found support for our hypotheses and found that the greater the mismatch between one’s NAB and gender identity, the greater gender dysphoria and harm from others experienced; participants who changed their NAB reported a greater mismatch between their NAB and their gender identity than those who had not changed their NAB; and participants who changed their NAB reported greater harm from social networks but not from family. The research underscores the importance of one’s name in the gender affirmation process for TGNC people and explores the complex role of one’s name and one’s gender identity in harm (or support) experienced from others.