Neukölln Leads in Gender Changes Under New Self-Determination Law

In a significant development following the implementation of the Self-Determination Act, nearly a thousand individuals in Berlin have officially changed their gender entries, with a notable concentration of these changes occurring in the Neukölln district.

Data indicates that since the law took effect, 975 individuals have sought appointments at the civil registry offices to amend their gender designation. The majority of these individuals also opted to change their first names during this process, according to a survey conducted by the dpa.

Neukölln has witnessed the highest volume of such amendments, recording 174 changes to gender entries among a total of 323 applications. Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf follows with 155 amendments and 233 applications, while Pankow reported 117 declarations in the same timeframe. In contrast, the districts of Spandau and Marzahn-Hellersdorf reported the fewest changes, with 49 and 61 respectively.

The choice of new names has been notably diverse, with officials from Marzahn-Hellersdorf observing that some selected names are quite unique. Although there is no comprehensive record of the most popular names, the civil registry in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf noted a trend where individuals opting for a gender-neutral designation often added one or more first names. Names such as Felix, Finn, Jonah, Leo, and Lukas, along with various adaptations, have been frequently chosen. Additionally, there is a growing preference for traditional German names like August, Emma, Charlotte, Richard, and Rosa.

In Pankow, gender-neutral names are becoming increasingly popular but are only permissible when the gender designation is either changed to 'diverse' or omitted entirely. Meanwhile, Lichtenberg has shown a tendency towards distinctly male or female names.

The Self-Determination Act, which came into effect on November 1, has simplified the process of changing gender entries and first names. Individuals are now required to submit a declaration three months prior to their appointment at the civil registry office. The official change must be processed by the civil registry in the individual's place of birth.

This legislative change primarily benefits transgender, intersex, and non-binary individuals, who previously faced significant obstacles and costly procedures to alter their gender entries. Under the new regulations, a simple declaration suffices, allowing individuals to specify their gender as male, female, or diverse, or to omit it altogether. While a name change is optional, many individuals are taking the opportunity to adjust their first names as well.