namejust

Namejust is a term used in discussions of personal naming and digital identity to describe the practice of selecting, changing, or advocating for a name that reflects one’s self-identified identity, social role, or personal brand. The term combines name with just or justice to convey a normative aim of fair treatment through naming. It is used across online communities, workplaces, and educational settings to discuss issues surrounding preferred names and respectful address.

Origins are not tied to a single source; usage appears in online discourse in the 2010s and 2020s, often in threads about inclusive naming, pronouns, or identity politics. The concept is sometimes contrasted with legal names or birth names, and with standardized naming conventions in databases.

In schools and workplaces, namejust considerations affect how individuals are addressed, how records show preferred names, and how systems support name changes. In social media and content creation, it can involve adopting a handle or display name that better represents the creator’s identity. Debates around namejust touch on authenticity, privacy, consistency, and administrative burden.

Criticism and debate include arguments that namejust can complicate data management, create ambiguity in official records, or enable performative branding. Proponents argue it advances dignity, reduces misgendering and misnaming, and supports cultural or linguistic diversity.

Related topics include onomastics, chosen name policies, preferred pronouns, and naming conventions.