Lived Name

A lived name, sometimes called a chosen name, is the name a person actually goes by in daily life. It may differ from the legal name recorded on a birth certificate, ID, or official paperwork. The term matters most for transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive people, many of whom use a name that fits their identity long before, or without ever, changing legal documents. Using someone's lived name is a basic act of respect, and research backs up its importance. A large University of Texas at Austin study found that transgender youth who could use their chosen name across school, home, and work reported far fewer symptoms of depression and lower rates of suicidal thoughts. Many schools and employers now record lived names regardless of legal status.