variants or less commonly dead name
plural deadnames also dead names
: the name that a transgender person was given at birth and no longer uses upon transitioning
Many trans people will go to great lengths to prevent people from finding out their deadnames, destroying irreplaceable photos and documents in an effort to ensure that who they really are is the only identity most will remember. Sam Riedel

deadname

2 of 2

verb

deadnamed; deadnaming; deadnames

transitive verb

: to speak of or address (someone) by their deadname
A Texas high school that was planning to deadname a transgender student at his graduation ceremony today has reversed its decision, and will call him by his name after all. Jeff Taylor
When an officer misgenders and deadnames a victim, they are disregarding and denying that trans person's identity, advocates say. Annamarya Scaccia

Examples of deadname in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Some districts with conservative-majority school boards are following suit by trying to get books removed from library shelves and insisting educators call students by their deadnames. Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 13 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

2010, in the meaning defined above

Verb

2013, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deadname was in 2010

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Cite this Entry

“Deadname.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadname. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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