AFAB

AFAB stands for assigned female at birth. It is a descriptive term used to indicate that an individual was labeled female based on anatomy and reproductive characteristics at birth. The term focuses on birth assignment rather than current gender identity or expression.

AFAB is commonly used in discussions related to gender identity, transgender and nonbinary communities, intersex experiences, and medical or legal contexts where birth assignment is relevant. It is often paired with AMAB, assigned male at birth, to contrast experiences or identity paths tied to different birth assignments.

It is important to note that being AFAB does not determine a person’s gender identity. People assigned female at birth may identify as women, men, nonbinary, or another gender. Some individuals may continue to identify with femininity or womanhood, while others may identify outside of those categories. The term is therefore used as a demographic descriptor rather than as a statement about personal identity.

In discussions and policy contexts, AFAB can help specify experiences or issues that are linked to birth assignment, such as medical consent, legal recognition, or social expectations. Critics argue that referencing birth assignment can oversimplify complex identities or obscure individual experiences, particularly for intersex people or those whose gender identity diverges from traditional categories.