world's biggest list of gender neutral names, in progress; help appreciated (cut for length) (+)
On the Nonbinary Wiki, the lists of gender neutral names are still in progress, but they're already huge, and already bigger than any other list of them that you can find in any book or site.
Even just the list of neutral names starting with the letter A is complete with more than 300 such names: https://nonbinary.wiki/wiki/Neutral_names_starting_with_A
The lists of names starting with A, B, C, D, H, Q, U, W, X, & Z are all filled out with definitions and sources. The other ones just have lists of names, and still need to be filled out with the definitions and sources. That's easy, but tedious, because there are hundreds of names. If you want to help, all you have to do is Google some names to find a baby name site that shows that it is indeed a neutral name. Then write the name's definition and source into the wiki article, following the same format as the other entries. Make sure it matches, so it looks nice, and that you fact-check it, since some baby name sites include dubious info.
Why does it matter to create the world's biggest list of gender neutral names?
Because whenever you look at any book or site to choose a given name from, it's usually divided in half: names for boys, and names for girls. They might have a section for gender neutral names, but it will only have a dozen names in it. Like it's only an afterthought. This gives the impression that that's all there is to choose from. It gives the message that virtually everyone must fit into a clearly-defined box of masculine or feminine.
Because some nonbinary people prefer to choose names that seem neither masculine nor feminine. We need to know that our options are more than to either choose from only a dozen neutral names, or use a name that makes our gender expression seem to align with a masculinity or femininity that may not suit us.
Because women notice just a bit less gender-based job discrimination when they apply for jobs under a gender neutral name, and in other professional communications. This can help narrow the gap in male-dominated fields.
Because transgender people have to deal with just a bit less risk and difficulty during their transition if they were given gender neutral names when they were born. Then they can take their time choosing a feminine or masculine name, if they prefer to do so.
Because I think parents will be more likely to give their children gender neutral names if they can easily find enough such names to choose from. I think that could help parents feel accepting of children who turn out gender nonconforming or transgender.
Because it matters to break up the gender binary in society. Given names are one of the places where we can see assumptions about the gender binary engrained in society and in personal presentation.
Why does it matter to create the world's biggest list of gender neutral names?
@frameacloud This isn't something I realized I needed. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Why does it matter to create the world's biggest list of gender neutral names?
You're welcome! It's an issue that I've cared about a lot for a long time.
Why does it matter to create the world's biggest list of gender neutral names? (con't)
@frameacloud this is a really interesting idea.
My name given at birth is on that list and I kept it, when I changed my gender marker to "diverse" (3rd Option in D).
Although its mostly given to boys in Germany, I never felt dysphoria b/c of it.
(Plus my mom said they chose it, b/c they didn't know my sex before birth... ❤️)
Why does it matter to create the world's biggest list of gender neutral names? (con't)
That's so cool! :D
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Why does it matter to create the world's biggest list of gender neutral names? (con't)
Because transgender people who were given gender neutral names when they were born might not even experience gender dysphoria about their names. Might even have always liked their names. Could even be a point of gender euphoria. Trans people born with neutral names that they like might not feel the need to go through the mountain of paperwork to change their name. That's one less thing to have to deal with during transition.
Because anybody might feel a bit more comfortable about experimenting with their gender expression if their name doesn't preemptively sort them into either a "feminine" or "masculine" category.