Originally Posted by
Dr. HFH
Much/most of the time, one's gender can be ascertained from his/her first name. Susan? William?
Not always and certainly not if one has a name that isn't from the local language or a European (although some Romance/other language names are assumed by Americans to be of the "wrong" gender) language--or just uses initials. Certain common nicknames, such as Pat and Chris, are gender neutral too.