Spring Break
The Name Game
How having an asexual name can lead to some interesting findings on gender bias.
Alex Godden (NJ), Viewpoints Editor
Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: Viewpoints & Humor
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This week I've decided to look at sex in the gender, rather than procreational sense. The main reason for this, other than being anxious not to appear too one-sided a columnist, is that I had several experiences during Hell Week that have exemplified all of the delights and downsides of having a gender-inspecific name.
Anyone reading this named Sam, Robin, Jamie, George, Jo/Joe or possibly Danny/Danni will hopefully see what I am getting at, not to mention the whole host of Asian and other foreign names which appear bafflingly gender-neutral to me and many others.
My problem is that Alex is a fairly common name for people of either sex, being an abbreviation of either Alexander (Male) or Alexandra (Female) or occasionally, and more confusingly, Alexis (either). Unfortunately, because it is relatively common, people tend to assume that once they know someone named Alex, that is the most common gender for that name. I have lost count of the number of times I have been told, accusingly, "Alex is a boys name, my friend's brother is called Alex" or any number of similarly mystifying arguments.
One of the major consequences of this is hearing the shock, confusion or outright disbelief in the voice of someone who has telephoned after previously conversing exclusively by e-mail. It goes something along these lines:
Caller: I'd like to speak to Mr. Alex Godden, please.
Me: (Politely) I am Alex Godden.
Caller: (Impatiently) No, I'd like to speak to Mr. Godden. Is he available?
Me: (Starting to get annoyed) There is no Mr. Alex Godden here, I believe you want to speak to me.
Caller: (Confused) Do I have the wrong number?
Me: (Definitely annoyed) No, I am Alex Godden.
Caller: (Dawning comprehension) Oh, you're a woman!
This is fine when it's a telemarketer (we all know how much fun can be had winding up those guys) but if it's a potential employer, as has been the case recently, it can be rather awkward. I have begun to wonder whether I should mark my CV or job applications in some way to make my gender more obvious (pink scented paper perhaps?). But first I need to understand whether these situations are actually to my advantage or not.
Anyone reading this named Sam, Robin, Jamie, George, Jo/Joe or possibly Danny/Danni will hopefully see what I am getting at, not to mention the whole host of Asian and other foreign names which appear bafflingly gender-neutral to me and many others.
My problem is that Alex is a fairly common name for people of either sex, being an abbreviation of either Alexander (Male) or Alexandra (Female) or occasionally, and more confusingly, Alexis (either). Unfortunately, because it is relatively common, people tend to assume that once they know someone named Alex, that is the most common gender for that name. I have lost count of the number of times I have been told, accusingly, "Alex is a boys name, my friend's brother is called Alex" or any number of similarly mystifying arguments.
One of the major consequences of this is hearing the shock, confusion or outright disbelief in the voice of someone who has telephoned after previously conversing exclusively by e-mail. It goes something along these lines:
Caller: I'd like to speak to Mr. Alex Godden, please.
Me: (Politely) I am Alex Godden.
Caller: (Impatiently) No, I'd like to speak to Mr. Godden. Is he available?
Me: (Starting to get annoyed) There is no Mr. Alex Godden here, I believe you want to speak to me.
Caller: (Confused) Do I have the wrong number?
Me: (Definitely annoyed) No, I am Alex Godden.
Caller: (Dawning comprehension) Oh, you're a woman!
This is fine when it's a telemarketer (we all know how much fun can be had winding up those guys) but if it's a potential employer, as has been the case recently, it can be rather awkward. I have begun to wonder whether I should mark my CV or job applications in some way to make my gender more obvious (pink scented paper perhaps?). But first I need to understand whether these situations are actually to my advantage or not.
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