What do you call your vagina? From playful terms like 'vajayjay' to anatomical names like 'vulva', the language women use for their own genitalia is deeply personal. However, new academic research suggests these choices are far from random and can reveal significant insights into sexual confidence, body image, and health behaviours.
The Language of Our Bodies: What the Study Found
In October 2025, a significant study titled 'Vagina, Pussy, Vulva, Vag: Women’s Names for Their Genitals are Differentially Associated with Sexual and Health Outcomes' was published. The research, which surveyed 475 women across diverse age groups in the US, categorised the nicknames into nine distinct types.
- Anatomical (e.g., vulva, vagina)
- Vulgar (e.g., pussy, cunt)
- Playful or childish (e.g., hoo haa, vajayjay)
- Euphemisms (e.g., down there, private parts)
- Gender identity (e.g., her, girl)
- Clitoris-focused terms
- Edible (e.g., cookie, muffin)
- Nature-inspired (e.g., venus, beaver)
- Receptacle (e.g., hole, box)
The researchers then analysed how these naming preferences correlated with the participants' genital self-image (GSI), sexual pleasure, and attitudes towards genital health.
Childish Names and Euphemisms: A Link to Discomfort and Shame
One of the study's lead authors, PhD student Tanja Oschatz, highlighted key concerning trends. She explained that roughly 15% of participants used playful or childish terms, and this group tended to report more negative feelings about their genitals.
"I think playful or childish terms may carry particularly strong connotations of shame, embarrassment, or emotional distancing," Oschatz stated. "These are often the terms people are first exposed to in childhood, when genitals are treated as something awkward, secret, or not to be talked about openly."
This language pattern was also associated with a lower perception of a partner's enjoyment of oral sex, a greater likelihood of using potentially harmful vaginal cleaning products, and a higher interest in cosmetic procedures like labiaplasty.
Similarly, euphemisms such as 'lady parts' remained incredibly common, used by about a third of women. This prevalence points to an enduring, widespread cultural embarrassment surrounding female genitalia, historically used to trivialise women's bodies.
Anatomical and Vulgar Terms: Context is Key
In contrast, the study found that using correct anatomical names can foster self-confidence and open communication. Experts note this practice can aid in sexual abuse prevention and facilitate healthier discussions about sexual experiences.
Perhaps more surprisingly, the research revealed that so-called vulgar terms like 'pussy' were linked to positive genital self-image and sexual pleasure when used in sexual contexts.
"In sexual contexts, such terms could function as a form of linguistic reclamation," Oschatz explained. "Language that is traditionally stigmatising is reappropriated in a self-directed, empowering manner... supporting feelings of control, sexual confidence, and openness to pleasure."
Interestingly, even playful terms could be associated with higher sexual pleasure when used specifically in sexual settings, underscoring how context dramatically alters meaning.
The findings resonate in the UK, where a 2023 initiative by Balance Activ, The Big Vagina Report, found that 65% of British women felt uncomfortable using anatomical terms, preferring euphemisms. This new research provides a scientific framework for understanding the profound personal and cultural implications behind the simple words we choose.
