neuternamed

Neuternamed is a term used in onomastics and sociolinguistics to describe a name or naming practice designed to avoid gender signaling. A neuternamed name is chosen or constructed so that it does not reveal or imply the bearer’s gender, whether for a person, a character, a product, or a fictional entity.

Etymology: The term combines neuter with named. It appears in contemporary discussions of gender-inclusive language; there is no single authoritative origin, and usage varies by field.

Characteristics: Neuternamed names are typically gender-neutral in pronunciation or spelling, or they use common unisex forms and avoid gendered suffixes or markers. In cross-cultural contexts, neuternaming may involve adopting names that are either unmarked in multiple languages or that do not assign gender by morphology.

Usage: In personal naming, neuternamed choices allow self-presentation independent of gender expectations. In fiction and media, neuternamed characters help avoid stereotypes. In branding and technology, product or AI names may be neuternamed to appeal to a broad audience.

Examples: Common English examples include Alex, Taylor, Jordan, Avery, and Rowan. In other languages, the same concept can involve names borrowed from unisex pools or the use of nominal labels rather than gendered given names.

Criticism and discussion: Some argue neuternaming can blur identity or confuse pronoun use; others see it as a pragmatic design choice to promote inclusion. Cultural differences may affect acceptability and interpretation.

See also: Epicene, gender-neutral name, unisex name, onomastics, inclusive language.