Name Signs: Exploring Deaf Culture

“Your name sign is given to you by somebody else and is partly a description of who you are.”
~ Dylan Heuer

In Deaf culture, name signs are distinct from the names assigned at birth and are often used alongside or in place of written names. They are typically composed of a combination of a handshape and a location on the body or in the signing space.

Name signs are personal and represent both a cultural connection and a sense of belonging and identity within the Deaf community. The creation of a name sign often begins with an understanding of the individual’s personality, characteristics, or notable traits. It might incorporate elements that reflect their appearance, behavior, or even a personal story.

Many of the DSU team members have unique name signs. In this video, Dylan Heuer explains how name signs are given in the Deaf community and learns the name signs of some of his coworkers. Dylan is passionate about helping Deaf individuals explore and embrace their Deaf identities, and this passion comes through in his work with DSU and as director of Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf (IBCD).

Learn about name signs, where they come from, see some examples with Dylan around the Deaf Services Unlimited Office!”

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