The feature image for this post is a word cloud made of the first names of everybody who’s ever signed up for A-Camp, a bi-annual week-long camp/conference hybrid event hosted by our website, Autostraddle.com.
This is a list of the most common names in the USA that the editors of Autostraddle have noted for their strong correlations with homosexual activity. If your name is on this list, you’re probably queer or gay or bisexual or whatever. If your name is not on this list, you might still be queer or gay or bisexual or whatever. My name isn’t on this list, and I like girls, so clearly there is no favoritism here.
100. Molly
YOU’RE GAY
99. Jane
Jane Doe? More like Jane HOMO!
98. Ryann
Girls have two breasts, and Ryann has two “n”s. Coincidence? NOTHING IS.
97. Lainy
See also: “Lane,” which is the path that leads you from heterosexuality to homosexuality.
96. Nikki
Maybe it’s short for Nicole, maybe it’s long for “Nick.” Either way, you’re gay.
95. Going By Your Last Name As Your First Name
Generally speaking.
94. Kimmy
“This might just be in the south, but Kimmy and its variations (kim/kimberly) are like power lesbians on casual fridays”
– Erin Sullivan, Staff Writer
93. Soph / Sophie
This story is gay, just like these stories
92. Marsha
MARSHA MARSHA MARSHA YOU’RE A LESBIAN
91. Mere / Mer
“Meredith” is a lot of syllables.
90. Taylor
89. Grace
Way back in the late ’00s, Grace Chu started an entire website called “Grace the Spot” and everybody who wrote for it was psuedonymed Grace. Furthermore, I had an Intern named “Intern Grace.” She lives in Ohio.
88. Maddie / Maddy
“I have three friends named Maddie/Maddi/Maddy who are all gay and I almost picked that name for myself.”
– Mey Rude, Trans Editor
87. Courtney
Alaina, Staff Writer: [A-Camper] Courtney Kist is chilling in Portland and is a budding sex educator and like, what is gayer than that?
Riese: Also she has an undercut
Alaina: Also she’s gay
Laura, Staff Writer: I used to make Courtney and Barbie kiss all the time as a kid. I assume everyone did.
86. Gloria
Hahahaha that girl just said I was gay and she’s right!
85. Carly
I have the gum that everybody wants
84. Gill / Jill / Jillian
I know a butch lesbian named Jill from Pond Creek, Oklahoma. If you can find a lesbian named Jill in Pond Creek, Oklahoma, you can find a lesbian named Jill anywhere.
See?
83. Karen
82. Zoe
According to Queen Trans Mey Rude, Zoe is the #1 most popular name for white lesbian trans women.
81. Stef / Steph
This name is especially popular amongst bisexual women. Just a tip. If you haven’t kissed at LEAST two Stefs/Stephs in your life and you’re not single, I recommend non-monogamy until you get that taken care of.
80. Ari
Ari Fitz was like “name your lesbian daughters ‘Ari Fitz'” and the world was like “seriously whatever you say thank you for talking to me”
79. Brandy / Brandi
“the first gay girl i ever knew was named brandy and she was my best kindergarten friend”
– Laneia, Autostraddle Executive Editor
78. Dee
One “Dee” is gay, two “Dees” (aka “DeeDee”) are not.
77. Kacey / Casey / K.C.
If your last name starts with a “C” and you have a baby, the best way to make sure that baby is gay is to make sure their first name starts with “K.”
76. Rachel
The reason “Rachel” isn’t higher on this list is ’cause there are so many Rachels out there that inevitably, there are a lot of STRAIGHT Rachels out there. When I think about the name “Rachel” as a concept I mostly think about a male friend of mine in college, who was Jewish and only dated Jewish girls because you should always have your eye out for your future wife because your mother loves you and wants grandchildren. (I have never dated a Jewish girl, sorry Mom.) He would joke that he got a degree in “Rachelology” because he had dated SO MANY RACHELS. I just checked Facebook and it looks like he married somebody who was not named Rachel. Maybe all the Rachels turned out to be gay?
75. Ash / Ashley
Stef, Vapid Fluff Editor: ashley is gay but also probably kind of a bitch (sorry ashley)
i don’t think ashley who works here is a bitch
just the ashleys i haven’t met, who are bitches
Riese: ash is like a good nickname for an ashley in a YA novel about a young masculine of center lesbian who could’ve be played by Ellen Page in the film adaptation if they’d done it ten years ago
Stef: ashleigh was the name of a girl in a YA series about horses that i loved as a kid
Ashley, Staff Writer: I hate most Ashleys and I don’t know a lot of gay ashleys
Stef: nobody believed in the runty sickly foal but ashleigh did and then she won all the kentucky derbies forever.
in retrospect this was very gay
74. Jodie Foster
73. Shannon
Stef: before shannon watters there was nothing, only darkness
and now there is only the soft glow of shannon
Carolyn, NSFW Editor (shannon watters’s wife): same
Stef: carolyn please tell me you get a slack alert for shannon’s name
Carolyn: um yes sure do
Stef: i feel like i thought shannon was a pretty straight name but then shannon happened to me
Carolyn: yhat’s what happened to her too
Riese: when i hear shannon, i think “soccer”
i think “girl in a fleece jacket who plays soccer”
Stef: i see shannon smiling jauntily and saying ‘oh hey’ and probably wearing a blazer
Mey: i think “girl with cute short hair”
72. Phyllis
“Jane makes almost twice as much money as Phyllis, they jointly own property and vehicles, and they have assigned each other as beneficiaries on wills and power of attorney forms.” – Counseling Lesbian Partners, by Joretta L. Marshall
71. Shane
If you’re straight and your name is “Shane,” you should change your name.
70. Vicki / Vikki
YOU BET
69. Becky / Becca
“Every Becky I’ve ever known has been gay. Everyone knows a gay Becky.”
– Cameron, Cartoonist
68. Carmen
Carmen De La Pica Morales. Has a more beautiful name of a fictional character, besides “Cookie,” ever sounded so sweet? Nope.
67. Idgie
I’m so gay I had to make up a new name and give it to myself to reflect precisely how gay I am
66. Marissa
“Marissa Paternoster. End of story. Queen of the Marissas.”
– Stef Schwartz, Vapid Fluff Editor
65. Gladys
Check out this picture of me being gay!
64. Cameron
- Cameron, The Miseducation Of
- Cameron, The Esposito Of
- Cameron, The Glavin Of
63. Liz
Honestly just searched for “Liz” in our media library to find a picture of our former Fashion/Style Editor Liz Rubin and this was the first picture of Liz Rubin that came up
64. Poussey
Like, objectively.
63. Lisa
“Lisa is the Jackie Warner of southern women.”
– Erin Sullivan, Staff Writer
62. Emily
“I dated two Emilys with the same first and last name.”
-Stef Schwartz, Vapid Fluff Editor
61. Kayla / Kaylah
First name Kaylah Last Name Cupcake Middle Name NOT STRAIGHT
60. Julia / Julie
A lesbian love story
Once I had an erotic third named Julia who had an ex named Julie.
59. Marisol
“Marisols are like, cool Mexican girls who wear high wasted shorts and flirt with you at the corner store.”
-Mey Rude, Queen Trans
58. Dusty
Remember that time in The L Word when Helena Peabody went to prison and ended up hooking up with a woman named Dusty? She was played by Ilene Chaiken’s personal trainer, Lucia Rijker, who is known as “the most dangerous woman in the world.”
57. Jordan
Let Her Know That She’s a Homo
56. AJ
This one’s for all the Ashleys and Ariels and Amelias out there who just cannot handle being Ashleys and Ariels and Amelias.
55. Mel
It started with Mel B and now there are Mels EVERYWHERE.
54. Patti / Patty / Peppermint Patty
“I’ve had like 12 writing instructors, all named Patty/Patti, all of them lesbians.”
– Kayla Upadhyaya, Staff Writer
53. Diane / Diana
“Kathy and Diane started couples’ therapy to improve their sexual relationship. At the beginning of their three-year-old relationship they were sexually active with each other, but they had been having sex infrequently when they came into therapy.” – Lesbian Psychologies: Expectations and Challenges, by the Boston Lesbian Psychologies Collective.
52. Brittany / Britney / Brittney
THOSE ARE GAY EYEBALLS AND I KNOW IT
51. Brittani
50. Amanda
Stef: i know two amandas who are married
Riese: to each other?
Stef: yes
and one took the other one’s last name
they’re queer porn stars
49. Chris / Cris
this is lesbian slang for “yeast infection”
48. Kelsey
“you’re practically turning your daughter gay if you name her kelsey. you did that to her.”
-Laneia, Executive Editor
47. Brianna / Brianne / Bri / Bre
We have so many Briannas at A-Camp I can hardly keep them straight, BECAUSE THEY’RE ALL GAY.
46. Lauren
“have we talked about how gay all laurens are? there are at least five gay laurens in austin. I don’t know if that says something about laurens or austin.”
– Intern Raquel
45. Alaina / Alanna / Alainna / Alana
HELLO ALAINA
44. Morgan
Once upon a time I wrote a screenplay with my friend Carly, who as you can tell by her name; is gay. The lead character of our screenplay was named “Morgan.” I always wished that my name was Morgan, but it isn’t, so. That’s why I picked it.
43. Kristin / Kristen
Last year “Kristen” came in at 76, but this year it jumped many spaces because Kristen Stewart is out and about with her girlfriend St. Vincent. (There was no list last year)
42. Erin
– Erin Sullivan, Staff Writer
41. Sarah
This would’ve ranked higher but it seems like there might be a lot of lesbians and bisexuals named Sarah because there are a lot of PEOPLE named Sarah. I didn’t want to have to fight with a commenter about this.
But! I will say that we have had so many Sarahs work here that at one time they were all assigned numerals for easy identification. For example we have published works by Sarah Palmer, Sarah Croce, Sarah Hansen, Sarah Hall, Sarah Fonseca, Sarah Sarwar, Sara Wiseman, Sara David, Sara Century, Sarah Rosenblatt and Sarah Szabo! I COULD GO ON.
40. Amy
“speaking of first girls, amy is gay
amy is almost always gay
aimee, less gay but still probably gay”
– Stef Schwartz, Vapid Fluff Editor
39. Anna
38. Nat
37. Cheryl
If you’re a social worker and your name is Cheryl, you’re probably gay.
36. Sarah Waters
I know of two lady-loving-ladies named Sarah Waters. How many do you know? DM me.
35. Abby
They named a bar after all the lesbian Abbys
34. Jess
“Lesbian Jess has been made a synonym of Lesbian Jessica. Works and bookmarks tagged with Lesbian Jess will show up in Lesbian Jessica’s filter.” – Archive of Our Own
33. Alice
What does bisexual author Alice Walker have in common with bisexual TV character Alice Piesecki? Their first name. It’s “Alice.”
32. Jo
Oh I’m doing “Pony” at the drag king show tonight and you are NOT gonna stop me
31. Del
Phyllis + Del = Lesbians
30. Kai
“i’ve almost dated 8 kais
all the kais were slightly masculine of center, wore glasses, had dreadlocks.
also, i have a type
lmao”
-Alaina Monts, Staff Writer
29. Jamie / Jayme
Jamie and Jessie are not together, but they’re still gay.
28. Christie / Chrissie
What do you get when you take a Christina and you teach her how to scissor? You get a CHRISSIE!!!!
27. Carol
Well toodle-doodle-do
26. Cara / Kara
Stef: oh circling back to jill, another jill i know tried to make out with me AT her wedding to a man. jill, you’re gay.
Alaina: There was a Jill in my a cappella group who’s only goal was to date someone in the a cappella group…she did it. Now they’re married
Stef: Kara was the girl i DID make out with at jill’s wedding, i made jill’s new husband take her home
Alaina: STEF THE JILL I KNOW MARRIED A KERA!
Stef: wow
24. Gabrielle / Gabriella / Gabby / Gaby
This name is so queer that FIVE lesbian, bisexual and/or queer women by that name have written for Autostraddle.com! Can you even?
23. Danielle with one “n”
GAY
22. Dannielle with two “n”s.
GAYER
21. Dani
20. Robin
A young Robin Roberts is stoked to be queer
19. Kelly
Kelly has the van, Kelly will drive to the show, everybody it’s cool, don’t worry, Kelly has got this on lock. Kelly brought Gatorade for halftime, okay? She’s ready.
18. Tiana
17. Sue / Susan / Suzanne / Suze
She who Suzes
Never loses.
- Lesbian Proverb
16. Meghan / Megan / Meagan
I’M GAYYYYY!!!!!!!
15. Dana
As we mourn the loss of Dana Fairbanks, we remember all the Danas who are still with us.
14. Tara
There were so many queer Taras in my life in the late ’00s that we had to start developing code names for ease of conversation. This was unfortunate for my first Tara, who was given the nickname “DevilKitty” ’cause when you pick “DevilKitty” for your myspace handle in 2005, nobody should ever let you forget it. It was fortunate for Tara #3, who was somebody’s wife, I believe. They’ve since divorced.
13. Heather
Our Senior Editor Heather Hogan could’ve nominated herself for this position, but she didn’t have to because I already had “Heather” on the list.
12. Kate / Cait / Katie / Cat
“There were four Katies in my first A-camp cabin.”
– Laura Mandanas, Staff Writer
Is it short for Kaitlyn? Is it short for Katherine? Kathleen? Catharine? Caitlyn? You don’t need to know the answers to these questions, you just need to be her friend, even if she changes her name to “Kade.”
11. Alexis
Gay, party of one?
10. Al
This is short for the #1 most popular lesbian name “Alex” which is short for “Alexandra,” or else it is short for the #9 most popular lesbian name “Allison” or else it is short for the aforementioned “Alexis.”
9. Allison / Allyson
See “8”
8. Ali / Alley
When people ask me what kind of folks attend A-Camp, I usually say “people named Allison or Allyson, who often go by “Ali” or “Al.” I’m not lying. That’s who goes to A-Camp. The “A” is for Allison.
7. Nancy
If you were a lesbian feminist in the ’70s or ’80s, you probably went to a women’s music festival with somebody named Nancy.
6. Barb / Barbara
“One day, Lore looked Barb in the eye and said, ‘You are a lesbian.”
-Michael S. Kimmel, The Sexual Self: The Construction of Sexual Scripts
5. Jen / Jenn
Remember Jenn? From Field Hockey? She’s gay now.
4. Deb
“Every Deborah I’ve met over 45 has worn well pressed jeans and button ups tucked into them, but still gets their nails done. She’s a very specific kind of woman.”
-Alaina Monts, Staff Writer
3. Ellen
Ellen DeGeneres, the world’s most famous lesbian, is named “Ellen,” which inspired the website named AfterEllen. Ellen Page is also named “Ellen” and she is the namesake for our website right here, AfterEllenPage.com.
2. Sam
If you give birth to a lesbian, you might want to save yourself the ink and not bother naming her “Samantha” because she’s gonna drop that “antha” like a hot potato / her middle school boyfriend, who was also named Sam. Isn’t that cute? They were both named Sam!
1. Alex
Whether you’re gay, kinda gay, or just know gay people — you know a gay person named Alex. See also: Top 5 Queer TV Characters Named Alex.
Okay, time to yell at us about how wrong our list is! What names are egregiously missing? WHO HAVE WE WRONGED TODAY. Remember to use all-caps, lots of punctuation, and language that expresses vitriolic incredulity if you want us to take you seriously. Threats to our livelihoods and well-being are encouraged.
[ETA: I’d like to pre-emptively apologize to all ye Hannahs and Lauras out there. You were in an earlier draft but something happened between then and now, and I lost you. I’ll make it up to you next year.]
I mean, the work that went into this, but particularly 86’s caption
You don’t understand how excited I was to find out that someone also thinks ashleigh from the Thoroughbred series was queer!
Literally the best news I’ve heard all week is that other people are on board with this. Maybe she makes out with Lavinia and everybody’s differences work out, you never knowwwww!
I FEEL SO SEEN
stevie from the saddle club though, TOTES GAY and probably also carole bye
What about Dakota
This is worse than those damn key chains of names, or those damn coke bottles. I can’t find my name on those things and I can’t find my name here either. I don’t know about you guys, but Angelica is a gay name. I know 2 bisexual Angelicas and 3 extremely gay Angelicas. I have a really gay name. We are so gay. Angelica is also a plant. Plants are pretty damn gay……..
I just need a gay name hug.
I feel you! I can’t ever find my name
on anything. *gay name hug*
Is one of those extremely gay Angelicas, Angelica Pickles?
That name haunts me even in cyberspace…..
eh, might as well gay it up since I am stuck with that comparison for life. Hell fucking yeah she’s gay, she just doesn’t know it yet. Angelicas are late bloomers.
Holy shit, I was just thinking how unlikely my name was to be on here and I am like 20 different kinds of queer. My family does call me AJ sometimes so I guess that sort of counts? (My middle name begins with J).
I feel like I’m the epitome of “Gay and Getting Gayer every year”. I used to be completely aro/ace and the more I move towards being less grey A the more bi I become.
Also, plants are hella gay.
um…that’s my mom’s name. oop
This list. My name is very uncommon, but when I was younger I kept thinking about changing it to something more common and every single one of those are on this list. Childhood me knew what’s up.
you know what i feel like charlie not being on this list was a major oversight but it’s too late now so all i have to offer you is my support
Haha I appreciate it. It’s a nickname — even more telling.
Hey, I’m a Charley! I’m named after my dad, but a surprising number of childhood friends have begun naming their dogs charlie/ey, which I take as a wonderful tribute to me and my flag footballs talents as a child.
i’m naming my first daughter ari because i don’t know how to raise straight people
I want this on a baby onesie. “My name is Ari bc my parent doesn’t know how to raise straight ppl”
Amazing.
i’m naming mine deb because your breakdown of it has lifted me
LOL! ?+?=❤️!!
Whaaaaaa? I’m a bisexual Steph. How did you know???
I will take #41, but you are definitely right on the fact that with so many Sarahs in the world, there just has to be a significant queer contingent. So many Sarahs that I really love pulling a #95. My last name is much cooler.
fkn nerd sincerly wife beater
This is pristine journalism. I don’t know which is my favourite: Jill from Pond Creek, Devilkitty, or Mrs. and Mrs. Amanda Amanda.
this is a work of art
not even on the list
shame shame shame
Ali/Allie/Ally is so true though. I know at least ten people named either Alice or Alison and not one of them is straight.
Hmmm the list has Diane, but not Diana… other names with variations they were careful to include Julie/Julia, must be a reason Diana isn’t on the list.
So obviously, I guess I’m not gay, my girlfriend is going to be heartbroken but I didn’t make the rules.
Guess I have to be straight, all because of some list, still not ready for a boyfriend, that’ll come in time right? I’m just in denial.
Till then I’ll get a lot of cats, nothing gay about that right?
this was an error that happened b/c i had them separately on the list and then forgot to merge them when i began merging names in order to fit more names onto the list. thank you for alerting me to this issue, i promise you that you are still gay.
As an Alice, an Al, an Ally and who is as gay as the pussy cat in my lap, this list is most pleasing.
I know a lot of LBTQ Lauras, also a bunch of Tannys/Tannis/Tanis.
#1 is spot on though, and the Sarah/Sara one killed me because I think every single Sara/Sarah I know is queer, and I know a lot of them!
[waves] Hello
Paige didn’t make the list? Where’s a trash can to kick over?
All my gay friend’s names are in this list so it seems legit BUT my name isn’t and it’s an anagram for lesbia. How much more gay do you need?
I know 3 gay Isabels so I second this motion
Ok as a Hanna who knows like five other Hanna/Hannah/Hana s Who are all gay or bi and/or trans I DEMAND that we at least be added as variations to Anna
Yes I agree! I know sooooo many gay Hanna/Hannah’s!!
this is true, there were at least 500 hannahs at a-camp
i have no explanation for this exclusion
especially as in my notes i have gathered quotes
regarding hannahs/hanas
next year
next year.
Do I get bonus points for not merely being called by my last name, but a shortened version of it that is literally a symbol of male physical prowess?
please tell me that your last name is Lionstein
Alas, no, it’s a lot more bovine than that!
Both my given name and derby name are on this list, extra gay
i think the fact that you have a given name and a derby name period is extra gay so lots of winning
Accurate.
(Says a #9 who is occasionally called #10 and #8 by certain select persons)
I can’t even believe my name is #1 (though we don’t use Alex as a shortcut from Alexandra in my country but whatever). I have the gayest name ever. This is just too wonderful.
Erin is right about Kims. I also live in the south and one of the first out lesbians I ever hung out with occasionally was a Kim. “Power lesbian on casual friday” also describes her perfectly. And she used to brag about stealing dudes’ girlfriends. Good ol’ Kim.
But y’all forgot my name! I know at least two other lesbians named/nicknamed ‘Rey’
LMAO! Accurate!
I’m honored to know that my chosen (legal) name is in the top 20. Thank you lesbian gods.
god bless kara and jill for including me in a group text taking me to task for this post which i had forgotten about amen.
I’d have to disagree with Mey on Zoe; in my experience, at least 75% of lesbian trans women are called a variation of Alice / Alicia / Alison / Alyson / Allison / Ellison / etc.
It always made me feel weirdly self conscious about my name.
i don’t think i’ve ever met a trans woman named any of those things, sorry
HMMMM. I wonder if this is a regional difference. I propose a worldwide study of regional trans women naming patterns.
Actually no this would have some disturbing privacy implications but I’d just really like to know
In my experience, all white queer trans women are named Amy. Like, 3/4 of the acquaintances I’m thinking of off the top of my head.
LMAO “She who Suzes, never loses.”
If I were single, this would become my new pickup line
In lieu of that, I will use it on my gf at my earliest entertaining opportunity
I will report back :D
As an Alex dating another Alex, this list is Very Accurate.
Hello dear
Variations of both my first name and middle name are on here. I go by Ash. Holy shit.
Also I mixed up Stef Schwartz and Stef Schrader of Jalopnik for a second and now I have to put my aching heart back in my chest
Ok so I have reduced my name down to one syllable, because lord I hate it and all it’s flounce which doesn’t match my me-ness, but here we go; I’m a Harriet. We are rare as Fuck, our names are on NOTHING, and in no shows – unless we are a spinster aunt, and I don’t mean that as a euphemism. HOWEVER – I dated a Harriet, with a gay best friend called Harriet… we used to go to the bar with our other friend, and folks would come over and be like what are your names… “I’m Harriet, she’s Harriet, that’s Harriet and she’s Leanne…” Weird times. So glad I married a Liz. I’ve also spotted a couple of other Hattie/Harry/Harriets on AS, so imho it’s pretty effin gay.
BUT ALSO you have harriet the spy on your side
and the author of harriet the spy
much like harriet the spy herself
is gay
^^^
Riese said it all
*secret Hattie nod in your direction*
Is there an American Name to English Name translation for this? I wanna know what the equivalent would be…
There’s a character named Harriet in Dykes to Watch Out For :)
Every Jen I know is straight but every Jenn I know is gay tbh
possible u factored into this ranking tbh
Specifically choosing this spelling was one of those baby dyke things I did before I knew I was a baby dyke tbh
I’m currently being ghosted by a Kate. I asked her out in April, she said yes, we texted for a bit and now eight months later she ignores my Whatsapp messages for months on end and I’ve not seen her since. She is the kind of hot I’m willing to be pathetic for though.
I am an Emma hooking up with an Emma whose ex was an Emma….an Em-ception, if you will. If that’s not gay, I don’t know what is.
So many queers I know have exes named Emma, myself included
Same same. Ex named Emma is a right of passage. I see you, Queer Emma!
Was just gonna come on down here and say YEP! Gay emmas be everywhere brah
This makes up for every lost childhood memento opportunity.
I read this thinking, yeah, no way this is happening for me and then it did. And then it did.
So excited to be both 95 AND 41 on this list. I feel really seen right now, thank you, Riese.
Also, I was Sarah VII. Never forget.
thank you for clearing this up for us it has been noted
I have wanted to name my future daughter Ryan Alexis since I was 13. I guess I know what’s gonna be up.
#TeamBisexualAlice
#24 is a true story.
Incidentally, I’ve also dated an Ellen.
My name is Ashley and I don’t think I’m a bitch.
I was really hoping for Therese to be on the list because of the movie Carol, but there’s just not enough of us in the world I think.
Anyone who has ever been on Irish tinder knows every fourth person is called Tara.
#76 checking in!
Our Midwest A-Camp Cabin of Kate, Kate, Kate, and Brooke are pleased with our overall showing, but hope to crack the top ten next year. Get it together Brooke!
(Just kidding, you’re really fucking Gay, Brooke.)
Okay but seriously, WHERE ARE THE JACKIE/JACKI/JACKYs??? Am I the ONLY gay Jacki out there?? This is an OUTRAGE!
(Ok I’m exaggerating! This article and website are both amazing and I love you! Have a great day and stay hydrated!)
no, my ex dated like five Jackies and I’m not going to date any because elementary school Jackie was that mean, but also possibly gay
LOVE Jacki/es though!
*arriving at a-camp
staff member: what’s your name?
me, overly confident: brianna
staff member: brianna…. who?
me: there are other brianna’s here?
staff member: oh you have no idea.
me: do you think i could take them?
staff member: well that’s a weird question.
me:….
staff member: probably not.
There was another Alanna at A-camp 6.0 and I had weirdly competitive instincts about it despite never actually meeting her?
I always feel weirdly competitive when meeting people with my name, or calling a place and the person answering the phone has my name!
Me too! I think it’s because I’m used to being the only Brianna, so when there are others I am extremely jealous/suspicious.
Also, there are two pronunciations of my name and each one rhymes with a different person on this comment thread.
Imagine how I felt once Cameron Esposito came to camp. I WAS THE ONLY ONE. I WAS SPECIAL.
Heya name twin! You should know that I’ve represented the good name of Brianna at all eight a-camps. You could probably take me.
Honestly it’s news to me that there’s been so many Briannas at camp. I thought there were like, three of us. Total.
I also was surprised at the amount of Briannas at camp. But I’m British so we tend to have different popular names :?
so i have all the cabin assignment emails archived and went and searched Brianna/Briana/Brianne in all of them. not counting anyone who might’ve been left off the list/signed up after, there’s three whole different Briannas and a couple Briannes:
april 2012: just me
september 2012: just me
may 2013: just me, and two Briannes
october 2013: just me
2014: just me
2015: two Briannas, one Brianne
june 2016: two Briannas
fall 2016: two Briannas, one Brianne
your unofficial a-camp historian,
…brianna
This is totes accurate.
Also, I have dated 20% of the names on this list… some more than once.
Honestly just proud that I rank higher than my first gay crush, the first girl I hooked up with, and my first girlfriend (who are all on the list)
I mean… I’m a little sad all the variants of my name didn’t rank at least top 50, but it’s okay because my mom always tells me she wanted to name me Alex.
I enjoyed sending screenshots of this to my ex, and proving that I’m at least ten slots gayer than she is.
I was worried my name was queer enough, but this prove it is with my nick name at #10 and legal name at #1.
Both my first and last names are on this list which I’m pretty sure makes me an extra 50% gay.
I feel like this is the only name list my name would have ever been included in, and I’m okay with that
This is gold.
Gah I was really hoping to see Annalise (my name, although spelled differently) because of HTGAWM and that John Stamos show that I think was cancelled?
After having basically no representarion in the media of my name while growing up and no one ever knowing it it’s pretty awesome that two queer characters have the name at once.
If people recognize my name bc of the bad ass Annalise Keating I’m thrilled.
just want to throw in that my name is only one letter away from being Gayley so obviously is the 100% most gay name
hayley is a pretty gay name you’re 100% right
EDITOR RESPONSE EDITOR RIESE-PONSE
i’m a lesbian haley do i still get to have a gay name
I’m glad Abby (Abi) made it but disappointed my full name Abigail didn’t. It has the word gay in it plus bi! So queer!
As I was reading through this list, the further I got the more suspense I felt until I got to our name b/c I guessed Abby/Abbie/Abi would be on here and it is! I have joked about being a bi Abi before and noticed the gay in Gail/Gayle too, so yes, very queer!
Deborah left my uncle at the alter for a woman, he should have known. Also just texted my sister, Alex, to see if she is gay.
(Representing al the very queer Camille’s!!!)
can you check in with another camille to see if she’s gay, no reason
As a Camille, it is my duty.
When my high school basketball teammates called me by my last name they may have well been yelling “homo”
Okay but what about “Rachael” or “Rae/Ray/Rey” I feel like Rae is pretty gay
…and anyone who knows me is going to recognize me lmao
also top 100 NB names next pls
No Cassidy? I feel like my name is pretty gay. It used to be a surname and then it was a boy name. Growing up it wasn’t even considered a boy & girl name. Just a dude name. Here I am. Lesbianing it up.
Seconded.
I know a bi Cassidy. Confirmed.
Well shit. First the terfs on Twitter say I’m not really a lesbian and now my names not even gay enough. ? *Sigh* Well at least my wife’s name is on the list so there’s that. Lol
(Not surprised my names not in the list, it’s not exactly a popular name)
I mean Rose and Rosie are pretty famous YouTube queer girl couple, so don’t worry, they are around for gay-name backup
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would still be GAY
i’m bi but am also disappointed not to see rose.
thank you for being a friend.
There’s Rose Lalonde, and Rose Quartz, and who knows what is going on with Rose Weasley-Granger. Pretty gay!
Yes I was also shocked that Rose/Rosie/Rosi was not on the list.
I know my name is kind of unique but I feel like it’s a super lesbian name! Autumn is like pure lesbianism. Think of how lesbians LOVE the fall! All the flannel, the fires, the forests it’s a lesbians dream and all of this encompasses why Autumn is such a lesbian name. Even though I’m the only lesbian I know named Autumn I’m positive there are a lot more of us out there :p.
Also fuck all lesbian Alex’s… she will basically stalk your girlfriend for months pretending to be her friend then sleep with her and steal her away from you. As far as I’m concerned she’s the worst kind of lesbian (sorry if you’re actually a nice lesbian Alex lol I may still be bitter about the Alex that slept with my ex and is now dating her)
My name is not on this list because my name is never anywhere be it lists of those key rings and hats every gift shop ever sold and I always checked forlornly just in case.
Watching the americans on my rugby team struggle first time they see Siobhan written down has been a real highlight of my year. Not as many of them across the pond, I suppose?
Not as many who? Americans, rugby players or Siobhans? There’s more of us Siobhans in Scotland than in England, or at least more people who can work out how to pronounce the name which is nice.
I feel compelled to share that my friend’s dog’s name is on the list. Which is pretty damn lesbian in itself.
s.o. to all y’all nicknameless c/katheri/yn(e)’s
(my aunt is a cathy, and i feel like for middle aged women that’s pretty solidly a qualifier. and as a child i went by cats, so… mrow.)
good list but distinctly lacking in alternate spellings of ‘carol’ just saying
I think you forgot Joan.
I feel like if there was a list of the straightest names, that is where I would find mine, I am the only queer Savannah I have ever seen. But I have a friend who routinely calls me by my last name so I feel a little bit better. I need a gayer nickname!
I will add that my middle name is Jo, but somehow I acquired the nickname of Jane, used alone or as a middle name, and both if those are on the list, so apparently I am still pretty gay!
I feel that Vann would be a super-gay nickname you could use.
i know a girl with an ex who was named savannah
we also have a writer named savannah
so there’s two for you
TWO FOR YOU SAVANNAH
There is a queer/feminist bookstore in my hometonw named Savannah Bay, so that’s pretty gay. https://www.facebook.com/BoekwinkelSavannahBay/
Savannah Brown on YouTube is bi!
nice
I’m married to an Allison that goes by Alex. Does that make her like, double gay?
(ironically, she’s technically bi).
(Also, not going to lie, was kind of hoping to see Tess on there, but ah well…)
Tess from Lip Service was one of my favorite fictional lesbians, fwiw!
I am /delighted/ that the name of every non-male person in my immediate circle of people I love (my partner, my BFF, both my sisters, my /mum/) is on this list, and I’m taking it as confirmation that my suspicions/hopes about my sisters’ queerness are true.
Living for the Sarah Waters call out
Tbh I’m very surprised (but delighted) that my name made the list.
I was at a local queer-lady camping event this past spring and we were joking about how there were too many Jackies, Pams etc. to keep track of. I made a comment about how I never have that problem, and then not even half an hour later, a new couple shows up – one of whom is named Shandra. I also once met a lesbian poet named Chandra Mayor before I knew I was queer. So that’s at least three of us! Given the comparative rarity of our name I definitely feel we deserve a spot on this list. I will be forwarding a petition shortly.
One of two #63’s…Liz and Lisa. I’ve got 7 co-workers named Lisa and most of us are queer.
LOL. My wife’s name is Alex and I saw this article and asked her “where do you think you’ll end up?” We were sure it’d be in the top ten, but were pleasantly surprised to find her #1, with representation from Al repeated in the top ten!
I’ve long said that a female TV character being named Alex gives about a 90% chance that she will go gay eventually.
My ex Kimmie (from the South) moved in with my other ex Liz who was dating a Liz but is now married to a Briana. This list is great. Sadly missing my name though.
I have kissed so many ladies with these names I lost count! Sadly my namr isn’t on the list :(
Where can I find a Gabrielle/Gabriela/Gaby? Preferably single.
This is hilarious bc I almost went with Al as a (nick)name, but felt it leaned a bit too masc for my tastes (because I’m pretty cool with being read as a dude, but being Al would have solidified being read as a dude 5ever which ain’t me). But also my feeling it’s too masc for me is probably because my dad is Al and my grandfather was Al, and also it would have been Really Confusing to have that may Als around. Also, really glad I kept a variant of Alex as my middle name instead of first name because things would have been MORE CONFUSING because my brother picked Alex as his name when he came out.
Also I have a hard time viewing Alex as the Quintessential Lesbian/Queer Lady Name because I know soooo many trans dudes and transmasculine people who are Alex/Alexander. I totally see Sam and Allie/Ali/Ally/Aly as Quintessential Lesbian/Queer Lady Names though.
if ur name didn’t make it its ok bc everyone is gay anyways
I have a more obscure spelling to my name, but lo and behold, it’s there at #28, proper spelling and all.
I saw my name in the lead-in image so I barged in here looking for it, BUT ALAS. I’ll console myself by mentioning that I tried really hard to go by AJ when I was 8, but no one got on that boat with me.
Becky “The Icebox” from Little Giants is my root. Good list.
Whoa number two spot!! Yesssss. It’s weird because I always introduce myself as Samantha, but people invariably start calling me Sam immediately afterwards. It’s like they can sense something…
Oh, hello, fellow 43’ers.
And my niece is named Samantha, so I’mma be on the lookout for signs from now on,
Oh my god. Clexacon, Lesbian name bingo.
Leigh/Lee is an uncommon name, and I’m sure that’s why it slipped under the radar. But you should know that a solid 100% of the female Leighs I have encountered in my lifetime have been queer. Do you know a straight Leigh? I don’t think so
you’re right i’ve only known one Leigh, and she was a certified homo
Ditto, I know two Leigh, both queer.
I am shocked and offended.
You got both “Del” and “Lainy” which equals my name!
my partner and i have an ongoing joke that every other queer person we know is named alex, nico, leigh, or mars. maybe this is specific to the area we live in though.
This makes me so happy haha. Also every time I see name things I get a little sad to never be included in lists because my name “Samaya” is too obscure for that, but I go by Sam a lot as well so it being #2 on the list made up for it!! especially since it said Sam and not specifically Samantha (which a lot of people assume is my name) so I feel a lot more included! Yeah Sam is queer af but Samaya is super queer too because like do you know any straight Samaya? Didn’t think so ;)
I kinda think “any unisex name/nickname” should have cracked the top 10…Mom and Dad knew what they were doing. They made me this gay.
ugh yes you have such a gay name. all the deyvns and the kyles will have their moment next year
jewish humor doesn’t really come out right from non-jews. you guys should think about that…
That’s funny. Riese, the author of this post, is Jewish, so.
thank you for standing up for me Oak, you are a tree of life
hello i’m jewish do you want to see my bat mitzvah certificate
kinda
My parents almost named me Rachel. If parallel universes are a thing, there are definitely versions of me named Rachel. And there’s probably versions of me named Rachel Clarke (which isn’t my last name, but it should have been, long story). So there’s probably some alternate me’s named Rachel Clarke who just go by Clarke, which is probably the gayest way to go about your life, right?
What I’m trying to say is that between me not being the gayest version of myself, and the dumpster fire getting elected, this is definitely the parallel universe that story protagonists visit and go “wow this is terrible I can’t wait to get back to the real, good universe and out of this horrorscape.”
I was literally just saying to myself a week or so ago that I’m a firm believer in the parallel universe theory now, because it’s the only way this election outcome makes any sense.
As a #1, #10, & #95 I’m shooting rainbows out of my nips all day.
That is a glorious image.
Living for this visual
My name isn’t on this list, but many of the names I use as pseudonyms on Autostraddle (and elsewhere, but I mostly comment on Autostraddle) are.
My first name, middle name, AND nickname are on this list. You have done well.
How about some Whitneys? I’m gay enough to count as multiple votes in favor.
Wow, 140+ comments and no love for the queerness of “Erica”? I most of the Ericas I’ve known are suuuuuper queer.
Also, shoutout to making it to #39 myself!
Erica here, and I appreciate this comment!
As a lesbian myself, I find this list accurate and insightful. My friend is having a daughter soon, I’ll pass this list of names onto him!
Me: Aw, my name isn’t on the list of gay names.
My partner: It’s okay babe, you’re super gay to me!
;D <3
I win!!! And am seriously gay.
Well well well. How the turn tables. And here I was, so convinced my name was just cool and off the radar. Now it’s hot and definitely not off the gaydar.
I go by both “Kate” and “Kai” as well as “Kay.” Does that make me double-gay?
I think this list is pretty accurate.
I think this list is pretty spot on.
STEF I LOVED THOSE FUCKING ASHLEIGH BOOKS
She really hated men and I really liked that about her
I cannot believe that not only is my relatively obscure name on this list, but that my even rarer spelling is listed first!!! Thanks autostraddle for the Official Gay Name confirmation
All the Hanas I know are queer.
(I only know one.)
If you’ll be my bodyguard, I can be your long lost pal…I can call you Betty, and Betty when you call me you can call me Al, call me Al…
I’m double represented here! more importantly the names of at least half the people i am friends with are also on this list. (except amber. i know a lot of gay ambers)
23! Clearly, I chose my name well.
Tara? Tiara? Eh, close enough.
Also I keep running into queer Caseys and Sophias.
My current girlfriend has a name so rare I can’t even find anyone else in the world with the same name. She says she got it from some French book somewhere and it stuck with her, but it is a mystery.
what a true delight this was
My name is Sarah. But at one point I also worked with a ton of Sarah’s, so they renamed me Alex. I feel like I need to go flirt with a bunch of girls and earn it retroactively!
Yay for Kai!!! I often go by Kai, Kailey too sounds pretty gay though, no? Hate it when people pronounce “kay-lee,” I feel like screaming in their faces “it’s spelled with an i, not a y!”
full of serious gratitude for #27. I was hoping! :-)
Sorry, my name is more lesbianish than all of these, it’s just not common enough to be on the list. 1/1 famous Tegans of the world agree.
As a bisexual named Amanda, I’m thrilled my name is number 50. Everything makes sense now. Can’t argue with facts. :)
I’ve never been number 2 at anything. Thank you for publishing my life story.
Excited to discover my lesbianismness in the top 10!
Slightly disappointed that Pam didn’t make the list. Such a gay name. But v happy I made it on there.
Both my birth name and the name i picked for myself are on here oh god
I always knew I’d be #1 at something. *raised hands emoji*
HAHA SAM IS NUMBER TWO! YESS. WIN.
I got scared cuz I didn’t see my name for awhile but it was #5! Top ten represent. I don’t go by Jen/Jenn but maybe I will if it sounds more gay xD
Hey I didn’t pick the spelling my mom did.
I have always been a firm believer that Chris/Cris, Taylor, Megan/Meghan/Meagan and Alexandra’s shortforms have always been the gayest names ever.
I also find that, while my first name is not very gay, the fact people call me by my first and a short form of my last name (Lori DK) to be very gay. Spoken outlook first name-last name is oh so very gay.
This is KD Lang levels of gayness
I love this! My ex an I used to have conversations about the gayest names, so reading this was pretty exciting! One of our top names, Nancy, is on there.
Omg my nane is sam and hate samantha and am a lesbian am i dreaming
My name is Cheryl, I am a social worker and a lesbian. Had no idea I was such a stereotype!
My name is Anika and I wasn’t expecting to see it here, but they had Nikki which is what some people call me. I’ve never thought about Alex being a queer name until this haha
Social worker Cheryl.. I know youuu
I take issue with the fact that Susan is not higher on this list. Was every lesbian before 2000 not named Susan?
I’m SHOCKED that Chloe isn’t on there.
When I got on Tinder/okcupid/Her, i realised I’d have to divide my choices by at least 2 because I refuse to date someone with the same name as me.
Obviously I’ve been doing it wrong?
My name is only 12th gayest?
On behalf of Ellens everywhere I just want to say it’s an honor to be nominated
All I’m saying is the name Elaine should be on that list
Started as an Emily, am changing my name to Morgan. Pleased to see I’ve increased in gayness!
Do I count for 45? It’s close, and my girlfriend’s name is 44 so I’d be right next to her. :D
I have half a dozen of these names in my friend group alone omfg
Yes. #24 I can’t believe I was so high on the list. yessss
What about ivy? That’s a gay af gal. (*cough* me *cough*
Damn, this was one list I thought my name would actually be included in for once
As a Kelly, I’m so relieved to be on here. But my wife, Maureen, isn’t and made the point, “Even after Rent?!” so thought I’d mention it. XD