Do Alters Need Names? What If They Have the Same One?
(Summary) In dissociative identity disorder (DID) and other specified dissociative disorder (OSDD), many people wonder whether alters or parts need names in order to communicate or cooperate. The truth is, parts don’t have to have names at all. Some systems use variations of the body’s name at different ages, while others identify parts by roles or qualities, such as “the angry part” or “the scared part.” In large systems, it’s common to work with groups of parts rather than individuals. What matters most isn’t giving every part a name—it’s finding ways to recognize, respect, and communicate with them safely.
You might wonder if alters need names. It’s certainly a reasonable question. After all, how can you communicate with and cooperate with parts if you don’t know their names? Should you name them?
The short answer is no. Parts don’t have to have names. Or parts may all have the same name in some systems. For instance, if the body was named Joyce. The parts might all be named Joyce, but they may be Joyce at age 3, Joyce at age 4, Joyce at age 7, and so on. In that case, we would simply refer to 8 year old Joyce if we were wanting to talk to her.
But what about systems where there are parts who don’t have names? In those cases, we can still interact with them by referring to something about them. For instance, there might be an angry part, so we would talk to the angry part. Or there might be a young part, a scared part, and so on. In large and very large systems, it could be that you end up working with or talking to groups of parts, such as the angry parts or the young Joyces.
In general, therapists would discourage you from trying to name every part with people names. And if you have a therapist who wants to do this, that is a red flag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do alters need names in Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)?
No. Alters don’t have to have names. Some systems use names, some don’t, and others may share the same name with distinctions by age, role, or characteristic (e.g., “Joyce at 3” or “the angry girl”). What matters is communication and recognition, not labels.
Can alters share the same name?
Yes. In some systems, all parts may use the same name as the body but be identified by age or another trait. For example, “Joyce age 4” and “Joyce age 8.” This is just as valid as having unique names.
What if an alter doesn’t have a name?
You can still interact with them by referring to their qualities—such as “the angry part” or “the scared part.” In larger systems, parts may even be addressed in groups, like “the protectors” or “the young ones.”
Should therapists try to give every alter a name?
Not usually. Forcing parts to adopt people names can feel invalidating or unsafe. A therapist who insists on naming every part may be showing a red flag. Respecting how the system naturally identifies its parts is most important.
Is naming parts ever helpful?
For some systems, names can make communication easier or help parts feel more recognized. But it’s always a choice, not a requirement. The best approach is whatever helps your system feel seen, respected, and understood.