How Transgender People Choose Their New Names

LGBT_flag_map_of_the_United_States_of_America.svgIn January 2016, the scholars of the American Name Society selected “Caitlyn Jenner” as the official Name of the Year for 2015. One of the main reasons for this decision was the socio-historical significance that this name had in highlighting the importance of transgenderism across the United States and the around the world. The process of selecting a new name to mark one’s declaration of self is a common and often highly emotional experience for people within the transgender community. In her TIME article, Katy Steinmetz discusses how some prominent transgender people went about this process.

Tackling Naming Questions in Gay or Lesbian Families

2942523255_219619346c_mOne of the interesting questions that new same-sex parents often face is what names their children should use to distinguish between them. In a family with two differently gendered parents, this issue is often fairly straight-forward (e.g. Mom and Dad; Ma and Pa). But in families with two moms or two dads, creativity is often called for. In a great video by Brandy and Susan of The Next Family, the two moms discuss how they dealt with finding names within their own family.

Filling the Periodic Table: New Names for the Newest Elements

5351053616_66fe9d7ee2_mIf the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has its way, the world’s periodic table will have four new names added. Planned for the lower right-hand corner, the names of the new chemical elements are moscovium (Mc); nihonium (Nh), tennessine (Ts), and oganesson (Og). According to the IUPAC rules, elements must be named after a mythological concept, a mineral, a scientist, one of their physical or chemical properties, or a place. The name for element 113, for example, was derived from the Japanese word “Nihon” or “Japan”. After much debate, this name won out over its leading competitor, “Japonium”. By the same token, Elements 115 and 117, owe their names to the toponyms “Moscow” and “Tennessee”. Unless there are major objections, these chemical monikers will become officially enshrined in the table this coming Autumn.

Protesters rally against Pikachu’s new name

6507355481_7fbd9b3701_mRecently, angry demonstrators armed with banners rallied in front of the Consulate General of Japan. What was the fight over? If you ask the protesters, they would probably answer history, culture, identity, and corporate bullying. At the center of the firestorm is the name of a cute, little, yellow, red cheeked…uh…critter named Bei Ka Chiu aka Pikachu. If Nintendo has its way, this beloved figure will be known the world over Pei Ka Yau in Cantonese.