Naming a Child, Not Gender

Lisa Koperqualuk. Talasie Tulugak. Qumaq Mangiuk. Marie-Pierre Gadoua
November 7, 2011
Quebec

"The first name is unisex."

Lisa Koperqualuk, Inuit

In many cultures, gender identity is clearly defined and is a formal part of a child's first name. Nothing is set in stone among Inuit. Traditionally, the first name was determined before finding out the sex of the newborn. It could be the first name of an immediate family member or a recently deceased person. It was not chosen at random, because the person who first had it would then influence the personality of the child who used it next. It was about honouring ancestry, not a predefined gender.