Chosen Name at JHU
At Johns Hopkins University, students, faculty, and staff are provided with the option to identify themselves using a chosen first name within select university systems. Chosen name can be elected at my.jhu.edu.
A chosen or preferred name is the use of a first, middle and/or last name that is different from a person’s legal name. There are many reasons why someone would use a chosen name, such as a reflection of gender identity, as a nickname, or as a westernized or Americanized name.
Once specified, a chosen name will replace legal name in select university system user interfaces unless the system requires the use of legal name. Support for chosen middle and last names will be implemented starting in the Spring 2022 semester. Chosen first name (previously referred to as preferred first name) is currently used in select university system user interfaces, usually in addition to legal first name. As systems are modified to support chosen middle and last names, chosen first name will replace legal first name in the interface, if applicable. This page will be updated as systems are modified.
JHU reserves the right to remove a chosen name for any reason, including misrepresentation or the use of inappropriate, offensive or derogatory language.
This information applies to all schools and campuses at JHU, and for students, faculty and staff, except where indicated.
For more information, read the university’s statement on supporting chosen names.
Back to Gender Identity Resources main page.
Specifying Your Chosen Name in JHU Systems
Some systems are automatically updated by the Chosen Name values (first, middle and last names) specified in myJH while other systems require a manual update. The myJH portal also supports a Chosen Full Name, which is more limited in use.
Learn more about specifying your chosen name.
Systems Supporting Chosen Name
Your chosen name, as specified in myJH, will automatically update some systems while other supported systems will require you to manually specify your chosen name. The systems listed below support chosen name.
| System | Schools | Population | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| myJH portal/JHED | All schools | Students, faculty and staff | Specified via Chosen Name fields. Searchable via portal. Learn about the fields in myJH. |
Systems Automatically Updated
| System/Area | Schools | Population | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlook and Office 365 | All schools | Students, faculty and staff | Name set from Chosen Name fields or Chosen Full Name in myJH. Learn about the fields in myJH. |
| SIS | All schools except School of Medicine | Students and faculty | Chosen first, middle and last names set from myJH. Student names: Used in class schedules, class rosters and grade reports. Only chosen first name used for advising. Authorized Users will see student chosen names. Faculty names: Used in class searches, class rosters, class schedules, class information and syllabi (varies by school). |
| Degree Audit | All schools except School of Nursing and School of Medicine | Students | Preferred Name set from Chosen First Name in myJH |
| Canvas | All schools except Bloomberg School of Public Health | Students and faculty | Chosen first and last name used as specified in myJH |
| Blackboard | All schools except Bloomberg School of Public Health | Students and faculty | First Name set from Chosen First Name in myJH if specified. Otherwise, First Name set from legal first name. |
| CoursePlus | Bloomberg School of Public Health | Students and faculty | Chosen Name from myJH used for students and faculty |
| Library eReserves | Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Whiting School of Engineering, School of Education, and Carey Business School | Faculty | For new instructors, chosen first and last name used as specified in myJH. Existing instructors in the system should contact reserves@jhu.edu to have their name updated. |
| Housing Portal (StarRez) | Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and Whiting School of Engineering Undergraduate | Students | Chosen first, middle and last name available to staff although chosen first name is the name predominantly used |
| Homewood Rec Center | All schools | Students | Goes By name set from Chosen First Name in myJH |
| eIRB2 | Research Areas | Students, faculty and staff | Chosen First Name used in place of First Name for user account |
| VoiceThread | All schools | Students, faculty, and staff | Chosen first and last name used as specified in myJH. |
| myLearning | All of JHU | Faculty and staff | Chosen First Name will display on learning plans, history and certificates |
Systems Requiring Direct Update
| System/Area | Schools | Population | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| J-Card | All schools | Students, faculty and staff | Card can be changed on request to display chosen first name. Click here for information on obtaining a new J-Card. |
| ID Badges for East Baltimore | Bloomberg School of Public Health, School of Medicine, and School of Nursing | Students, faculty and staff | New ID badge cards will be printed to display chosen first and last name if those names have been provided in myJH at the time the card is pre-printed/printed. Existing cards can be changed on request to display chosen first and/or last name. Click here for information on obtaining a new ID badge or check with your department for the process to follow. |
| NameCoach | All schools | Students | Students update First Name as well as the field with name for announcement |
| Gradescope | Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and Whiting School of Engineering | Students and faculty | Your chosen name should be set at account creation and when courses are added for a semester. At the account level, you can also edit your Full Name for any changes. As a student, contact your instructor to update your name within courses if you change it mid-semester. |
| Hopkins Groups | Mostly Bloomberg School of Public Health, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and Whiting School of Engineering | Students | Students update First Name |
| B-Involved | Carey Business School | Students | Students update First Name |
| Zoom for Students | All schools | Students | Students update Display Name in their profile |
| Zoom for Faculty and Staff | All schools | Faculty and staff | Faculty and staff update Display Name in their profile |
| Interlibrary Loan | All schools using the Sheridan Library | Students, faculty and staff | Contact Library Support staff to change First Name |
| Enterprise Mailing List Server | All schools | Students, faculty and staff | Set your full chosen name via: Login, sign in with your JHED, click Your Preferences, update your name and click Submit. |
| MyChart | Kreiger School of Arts & Sciences and Whiting School of Engineering Undergradaute | Students | Students with JH-affiliated MyChart accounts can update the Preferred First Name field in the Personal Information section. |
| Homewood Disability Services | Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and Whiting School of Engineering Undergraduate and Graduate, Peabody Institute | Students | Chosen/Preferred Name entered during first visit. Name specified should match Chosen First Name myJH. |
| Student Counseling | Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and Whiting School of Engineering Undergraduate, Peabody Institute | Students | Chosen/Preferred Name entered during first visit |
| Homewood Student Health and Wellness Center | Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and Whiting School of Engineering Undergraduate, Peabody Institute | Students | Chosen/Preferred Name entered during first visit |
| Athletic Team Rosters | All schools | Student Athletes | Staff can update chosen name/nickname |
| Handshake | All schools | Students and alumni | Chosen/Preferred Name set initially from SIS. Student/alumni enter subsequent changes. |
| OneHop | All schools | Students, faculty, staff and alumni | Update name via My Profile |
| Alumni Relations | All schools | Alumni | Email alumni@jhu.edu to update your chosen name |
Documents & Systems Requiring Legal Name
These documents and systems are among those that require your legal name.
- Official Transcripts
- Enrollment and Degree Verification
- Teacher Certification (School of Education)
- Student Accounts and Student Billing
- Immigration Documents, SEVIS and iHopkins
- Financial Aid
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Electronic Health Records
- Insurance and Benefits
- Payroll
Suffix
Johns Hopkins University considers suffix part of your legal name. If a system uses suffix, it will be in the context of a legal name. In this context, suffix refers to generational designations such as “Sr.,” “Jr,” or “III.” The suffix field should not be used for educational titles, degrees, or accreditations.
Chosen Name Guidelines for Faculty & Staff
For faculty and staff, using appropriate names is an important way of establishing norms of respect with the students you work with. For everyone, using appropriate names signals your willingness to be inclusive to everyone.
- Wherever possible, use someone’s chosen name. This includes casual conversation, email communication, and formal settings.
- A student can change their chosen name at any time. As faculty, periodically check your class roster for current chosen names.
- If you are creating a registration/signup form, allow the use of chosen name only, unless there is some specific reason you need access to someone’s legal name.
- Depending on which platforms you use, you may have access to a student or colleague’s legal name. Treat this as confidential data and do not employ it unless there is a specific need for it to be used.
- There may be circumstances (e.g. when conducting a background check, dealing with financial records, or sending postal mail) when a legal name is required. Limit the use of that name to those circumstances.
- There may be times (e.g. when contacting family members or writing letters of recommendation) when someone may not want the chosen name used. If you are hesitant about a particular context, you can ask privately if there is an exception to using the chosen name.
- In most circumstances, someone’s JHED (e.g. jhopkin1) will stay static, so you can reliably use that to identify a record in SIS or other platforms even if the chosen name is not visible/searchable.
Questions?
If you have questions about chosen name practices or technical support needs, email chosen-name@jh.edu.
