Across our streets, parks, and public spaces, a profound imbalance remains: women and gender-diverse people are dramatically underrepresented in place names.

Despite growing momentum for change, outdated myths still persist—shaping perceptions and holding progress back.

It’s time to bust them.

Here are three myths we need to leave behind to truly build an inclusive landscape:

Myth 1:

“There just aren’t enough notable women in history.”

Reality:

Women have always been leaders, innovators, carers, creators, and changemakers—often without the formal recognition afforded to their male counterparts. The real issue is not a lack of contributions; it’s a lack of visibility. Initiatives like Remember a Local Name a Place are helping uncover and celebrate the many incredible women whose stories have been hidden or overlooked.

Myth 2:

“It’s just a name—does it really matter?”

Reality:

Names deeply shape how we navigate, remember, and value our communities. They tell stories about what—and who—we prioritise. When women and gender-diverse people are missing from the landscape, it sends a message about whose contributions matter. Naming isn’t just symbolic; it’s structural.

Myth 3:

“It should be about merit—gender shouldn’t matter.”

Reality:

“Merit” isn’t neutral when opportunity has never been equal. Historically, recognition systems privileged men—through access to education, leadership, land ownership, and public office. Women’s contributions were often invisible or undervalued.

True merit means recognising a broader range of contributions and addressing the historic barriers that shaped who was visible and who was forgotten.

Final Word:

Building a more equal and representative public landscape requires us to challenge old narratives, not simply work within them.

By busting these myths—and replacing them with a more complete understanding of history and contribution—we take a vital step toward a public space that truly reflects all of us.

You can help by nominating a woman here https://engage.vic.gov.au/name-a-place or if you are a naming authority like local government you can name a place after a local woman – just one name in 2025 can help bust myths and Put Her Name on It