View source for Wikipedia:Categorization of people

{{subcat guideline|editing guideline|Categorization|WP:COP|WP:PEOPLECAT}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2012}}

Originally, this guideline was developed in response to some prolonged [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion]] procedures that debated the '''categorization of people''' in articles. As has been proven since, this guideline can be helpful for [[WP:Contentious labels|other "delicate" categorization issues]].

== Definitions and scope ==
This guideline is about [[WP:categorization|categorization]] of people. It discusses:
;Categorization of [[WP:BIOGRAPHY|biographical articles]]
:This includes all articles in main [[WP:NAMESPACE|namespace]] [[WP:NCP|named after a person or a group of persons]], including [[WP:SPLIT|split-outs]] of such articles. Similarly, categorization of files containing portraits of people and biographies in Books namespace. The ''main'' biographical article of a person is the single main namespace article named after that person. When there are split-outs, the main biography should be a [[Wikipedia:Summary style|summary style]] article (see [[Wikipedia:Naming conventions (people)#Several articles treating the same person]]).
;People categories
:All categories where such biographical articles could be expected to be listed. Normally such categories belong in the [[:Category:People]] categorization tree.
{{anchor|sensitive}}
The concepts used in this guideline are explained in [[Wikipedia:Categorization]] and subpages, and:{{Shortcut|WP:COPS|WP:COP/S}}
;Sensitive categories
:Categories are defined as sensitive when they recur at [[WP:CFD|Wikipedia:Categories for Discussion]] giving way to extensive and convoluted discussions. This includes:
:* Categories relating to ethnicity, gender, religion, sexuality, disability etc. as treated at [[WP:EGRS]]
:* Categories restricted by [[WP:BLPCAT|Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons § Categories, lists and navigation templates]], e.g. categories that might suggest a person has a poor reputation and categories that belong in the categorization tree of [[:Category:Criminals]]
:* Other categories with similar issues, whether or not they are treated explicitly in this and other guidelines and policies e.g. [[:Category:Atheists]], [[:Category:Critics of religions]], [[:Category:Conspiracy theorists]], etc., and related subcategories
:* Cross-section categories where at least one of the categories of the cross-section is sensitive.
:Failing to handle these categories appropriately can lead to external criticism, e.g. {{cite
 | author      = Kevin Morris
 | date        = 2013-05-01
 | url         = http://www.dailydot.com/society/wikipedia-sexism-problem-sue-gardner/
 | title       = Does Wikipedia's sexism problem really prove that the system works?
 | journal     = [[Daily Dot]]}}.<ref name=Morris2013>{{cite
 | author      = Kevin Morris
 | date        = 2013-05-01
 | url         = http://www.dailydot.com/society/wikipedia-sexism-problem-sue-gardner/
 | title       = Does Wikipedia's sexism problem really prove that the system works?
 | journal     = [[Daily Dot]]
 | archiveurl  = http://www.webcitation.org/6GJB7n8Lu
 | archivedate = 2013-05-02
 | accessdate  = 2013-05-02
 | ref         = none
}}</ref>

== General considerations ==
{{See also|Wikipedia:NPOV tutorial#Categorization}}

Be aware that mis-categorizations are more sensitive for articles on people than for articles on other topics.

:: '''''Example''': Categorizing a politician involved in a scandal as a "criminal" would create much more controversy than categorizing a behaviour or act as "criminal".''

Furthermore,
* '''Exert extra precaution with regard to the categorization of ''living'' people'''
*: ''See [[WP:BLPCAT|Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons § Categories, lists and navigation templates]]''
* '''Not all categories are comprehensive''': For some sensitive categories, it is better to think of the category as a set of representative and unquestioned examples, while a list is a better venue for an attempt at completeness. Particularly for sensitive categories, lists can be used as a complement to categorization. See also [[Wikipedia:Categories, lists, and series boxes]].
{{shortcut|WP:COP#N|WP:COPDEF}}{{Anchor|N}}
* '''Categorize by defining characteristics'''
:{{see|Wikipedia:Categorization#Defining}}<section begin=COPDEF />
:Biographical articles should be categorized by defining characteristics. As a rule of thumb for main biographies this includes:
:*standard biographical details: year of birth, year of death and [[:Category:People by nationality|nationality]]
:*the reason(s) for the person's notability; i.e., the characteristics the person is best known for.
:For example, a film actor who holds a law degree should be categorized as a film actor, but not as a lawyer unless their legal career was notable in its own right or relevant to their acting career. Many people had assorted jobs before taking the one that made them notable; those other jobs should not be categorized.
:Similarly, [[List of celebrity-branded fragrances|celebrities commercializing a fragrance]] should not be in the [[:Category:Perfumers|perfumers category]]; not everything a celebrity does ''after'' becoming famous warrants categorization.
<section end=COPDEF />
* '''Categorize by characteristics of the person, ''not'' characteristics of the ''article''''': E.g., do not add <code><nowiki>[[Category:Biography]]</nowiki></code> to an article. [[:Category:Biography (genre)]] may legitimately contain articles about biographical ''films'' or biographical ''books'', but should not contain articles about individual people. The ''article'' is a biography; the ''person'' is not.
{{shortcut|WP:SEPARATE|WP:COPSEP}}{{Anchor|SEPARATE}}
* '''Keep people categories separate''': categories with a title indicating that the contents are people should normally only contain biographical articles and lists of people, and perhaps a non-biographical main article, though this can also be added in a text note at the top of the category. This is for clarity and ease of use, and to preserve the integrity of trees of people articles.
* '''Double check''': Always check after saving an article whether the categorization strikes you as offensive or indelicate. The Wikipedia system allows anybody to edit the article and remove a questionable categorization. To avoid that, follow your intuition in finding those categories you think most to the point and inoffensive. Create a new category that better serves what you want to communicate, rather than using an existing category that is (partly) inconsistent with the content of the article. But bear in mind the principle "[[WP:NOTCENSORED|Wikipedia is not censored]]", so if something is offensive but has encyclopedic value it might remain.
* '''Categories should not be automatically assigned''': Categories are only assigned as the result of an individual assessment of the content of an article (lists are easier in this sense, because a doubtful assignment can be marked as such). See also [[Wikipedia:Bots]] for a general discussion of contra-indications regarding automated operations.

== Categorization schemes ==
{{see also|Wikipedia:Category names#Categorization of people}}
Currently, people tend to be categorized by the following broad categories. There is currently no consensus about the order in which these categories should be placed at the bottom of an article.

=== By association ===
Currently, Wikipedia supports categorizing [[:Category:People by educational institution|People by educational institution]] and [[:Category:People by company|People by company]], as well as numerous more specific categories.

===By ethnicity, gender, religion, sexuality, disability, medical or psychological conditions===
{{Main|Wikipedia:Categorization/Ethnicity, gender, religion and sexuality}}
The [[WP:EGRS|main guideline]] on these categories and categorizations includes a discussion of cross-section categories.

===<span id="EPCATPERS"></span>By the person's name ===
{{shortcut|WP:EPCATPERS}}
{{See also|Wikipedia:Categorization#Eponymous categories|Wikipedia:Overcategorization#Eponymous categories for people}}
In certain very notable cases, an individual's name can be used to categorize the person itself, for example [[:Category:Abraham Lincoln]]. However, this should not be done simply to reduce the number of categories displayed in an article.

Categories using the name of a person hold ''articles directly related'' to that person. Remember this when placing the article in larger categories. If the person is a member of a category, put the article about the person in the larger category. If ''articles directly related'' to the person are also members of the larger category, put the category with the person's name in the larger category. This often results in the article and category being categorized differently. For an example of this see [[George W. Bush]] and [[:Category:George W. Bush]].

=== By nationality and occupation ===
People are usually categorized by their nationality and occupation, such as [[:Category:Ethiopian musicians]]. The template {{tl|Fooian fooers}} is used to provide navigation on each category page, such as:

{| align=center class="toccolours"
| <center>'''[[Wikipedia:Classification|Classification]]:''' [[:Category:People|People]]: [[:Category:People by occupation|By occupation]]: [[:Category:Entertainers|Entertainers]]: [[:Category:Musicians|Musicians]]: [[:Category:Musicians by nationality|By nationality]]: '''Ethiopian'''</center>
<center>''also:'' [[:Category:Ethiopia|Ethiopia]]: [[:Category:Ethiopian people|People]]: [[:Category:Ethiopian people by occupation|By occupation]]: [[:Category:Ethiopian entertainers|Entertainers]]: '''Musicians'''</center>
|}

=== By place ===
{{Shortcut|WP:COPPLACE|WP:COP-PLACE}}
People are sometimes categorized by notable residence, regardless of ethnicity, heritage, or nationality. Residential categories should not be used to record people who have never resided in that place. Nationality is reflected by the occupation category (above), not country or county or city of residence. The category page of '''People from Foo''' may mention the most commonly used names for residents ("Fooians", or "Fooers"), assuming that common usage is verifiable (e.g. by Google).

The place of birth, although it may be significant from the perspective of local studies, is rarely defining from the perspective of an individual. The residence of parents and relatives is never defining and rarely notable. The place of death is not normally categorized; consider using a list if this relates to a specific place or event. If it is relevant to identify the place of burial (either from the viewpoint of the person or the burial place), then someone buried in a less notable cemetery, or in a place with just a few notable burials, should be recorded in a list within the article about the burial place. However, if the burial place is notable in its own right and has too many other notable people to list, then burials should be categorized.

===By heritage===
{{Shortcut|WP:COPHERITAGE|WP:COP-HERITAGE}}
[[Wikipedia:Category names#Heritage|Heritage categories]] should not be used to record people based on deduction, inference, residence, surname, nor any partial derivation from one or more ancestors. The heritage of grandparents is never defining and rarely notable. In addition to the requirement of [[Wikipedia:verifiability|verifiability]], living people must have self-identified as a particular heritage, while historical persons may be identified by notable association with a single heritage.

Categories that intersect heritage with occupation, residence, or other such categories should only be created where that combination is itself recognized as a distinct and unique cultural topic in its own right, as with [[:Category:African-American politicians]] (see [[WP:OCEGRS]]). These categories should not be created without a substantial and encyclopedic [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|well sourced]] head article describing the contents ('''''not''''' just a list). Such categories should be treated as '''distinguished category''' (see [[WP:DUPCAT|discussion here]]), such that included articles should be otherwise integrated into the nationality/occupation category structure outside of the heritage subcategory.

Further,
* Heritage categories (such as ''descent'' or ''diaspora'') should not also contain any individual migrant, emigrant, nor immigrant; instead, that person should be diffused to an appropriate subcategory.
<!--*Heritage categories should not be created by former city, province, region, or territory.-->
* The heritage of grandparents is never defining and rarely notable.

=== By time period ===
{{Shortcut|WP:COPCENTURY|WP:COPERA}}
People are usually categorized by time period if their activity in that time period is a [[WP:DEFINING]] characteristic.

For example:
* a writer who lived from 1850 to 1910 and wrote their only work in 1908 should be categorised under [[:Category:20th-century writers]].  They did no notable writing in the 19th century, so should ''not'' be included in [[:Category:19th-century writers]]
* an English soldier born in 1590 and notable for military service in the 1620s should not be categorised in [[:Category:People of the Tudor period]], since their [[WP:DEFINING]] characteristic relates to years after the Tudor period ended in 1603.

=== By year ===
People are categorized by their year of birth and year of death. See [[Wikipedia:People by year]] for how to categorize people by their years of birth and death.

== Ordering names in a category ==
{{Shortcut|WP:NAMESORT|WP:LISTAS}}
It is possible to change the default order in which the articles in a Category are displayed on the Category: page. For general instructions and conventions about this, see [[Wikipedia:Categorization#Sort keys]]. Note that there are two techniques for defining a sort order different from the sort order that would result from the page name:
# Adding <code><nowiki>{{</nowiki>[[Help:Category#Default sort key|DEFAULTSORT]]:{{var|category sort key here}}<nowiki>}}</nowiki></code> in the article sets the category sort key for all categories without sort keys in that article, before or after it.
# Per listed category, overriding the DEFAULTSORT, <code><nowiki>[[</nowiki>Category:{{var|Category name here}}{{!}}{{var|category sort key here}}<nowiki>]]</nowiki></code>

The sort key should mirror the article's title as closely as possible, while omitting disambiguating terms. Some exceptions are made, however, to force correct collation.

===Sort by surname===
{{Shortcut|WP:SUR}}
If the article is titled "Forename Surname", the category should be added to the article as <code><nowiki>[[Category:Type X people|Surname, Forename]]</nowiki></code> (or: <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Surname, Forename}}</nowiki></code>) so that it will be sorted by [[surname]] (surname and [[family name]] are used interchangeably in this article). However, there are exceptions depending on customs, where a person lives and when they lived. If the country is not listed, try consulting with ''Names of persons : national usages for entry in catalogue'' in [[#Bibliography|the bibliography section]]. It is a resource for how librarians and institutions inside their respective country sort names. However, the sort value may be inappropriate outside their country.<ref>{{Harvnb|IFLA|1996|pp=IX–XI}}</ref>
* [[Arabic names]] or [[Islamic names]] historically had no family or given names, but a full chain of names. These names should be sorted as they are written out. However, after 1900, Arabic names became similar in structure to those of Western names, and these should be sorted as if they were Western names. Certain areas form exceptions: for example, in Malaysia, Islamic names follow a patronymic pattern, as do a subset in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.<ref name="Arabic names">{{cite journal | url=http://www.theindexer.org/files/25-3/25-3-cp2_009.pdf | title=Arabic names | last=Hedden | first=Heather | date=April 2007 | journal=The Indexer | volume=25 | format=PDF | accessdate=January 11, 2012 | issue=3 }}</ref><ref name="18.74">{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|p=18.74}}</ref>
** Modern names with ''[[Ab (Semitic)|Abu]]'', ''[[Abd (Arabic)|Abd]]'', ''Abdel'', '' Abdul'', ''Ben'', ''Bin'' and ''Bent'' are considered compound names and particles are integral to the name. [[Osama bin Laden]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Bin Laden, Osama}}</nowiki></code>. [[Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Abdel Nour, Mounir Fakhry}}</nowiki></code>.<ref name="Arabic names" /><ref name="18.74" />
* [[Burmese names]] have no surnames or patronymic system, therefore they are sorted as they are written. However, if the person's common name includes an [[Burmese name#Honorifics|honorific]], the name should be sorted with the elements succeeding the honorific.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|p=18.75}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|IFLA|1996|pp=155–158}}</ref> [[U Thant]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Thant, U}}</nowiki></code>.
* [[Chinese names]], [[Korean names]], [[Vietnamese names]] and [[Cambodian names]] are generally written with the family name first: [[Mao Zedong]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Mao, Zedong}}</nowiki></code>.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.theindexer.org/files/25-4/25-4-cp3_012.pdf | title=Asian names | last=Akhtar | first=Nasreen | date=April 1989 | journal=The Indexer | volume=16 | format=PDF | accessdate=January 10, 2012 | issue=3 }}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|3p=18.76}}</ref>
* [[Habesha names|Eritrean and Ethiopian (Habesha)]] names that use a patronymic system are sorted as they are written.<ref>{{Harvnb|IFLA|1996|pp=64–65}}</ref>
* [[Icelandic names]] are generally [[patronymic]] and occasionally matronymic, with a person's last name derived from their father's or mother's given name. For example, [[Arnaldur Indriðason]] is the son of [[Indriði G. Þorsteinsson]]. Normally a patronymic name is sorted as it is written.<ref name="IFLA 88–90">{{Harvnb|IFLA|1996|pp=88–90}}</ref> However, on English Wikipedia, the DEFAULTSORT value is Western order, overridden for Icelandic categories, where the sort key is as the name is written. [[Arnaldur Indriðason]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Indridason, Arnaldur}}</nowiki></code>, while the Icelandic category of photographers is done, <code><nowiki>[[Category:Icelandic photographers|Arnaldur Indridason]]</nowiki></code>. For the <code>listas=</code> parameter in project templates on article talk pages use the DEFAULTSORT value (since it mainly categorises in non-Icelandic categories), e.g., <code>| listas = Indridason, Arnaldur</code>.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Iceland/Archive_3#Sort_keys_for_Icelandic_names | title=Sort keys for Icelandic names | publisher=Wikipedia | work=WikiProject Iceland | date=January 2011 | accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Indonesian names]] may be sorted by surname or in the order they are written depending on the [[Ethnic groups in Indonesia|Ethnic background]] of the individual. [[Javanese name]]s (the most populous ethnic group in Indonesia) do not generally have surnames and may be sorted in the order they are written.
* [[Japanese names]] for people born after 1885 follow Western order. For people born before 1885, names followed the same practice as Chinese names.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.theindexer.org/files/26-2/26-2-cp4_002.pdf | title=Japanese names | last=Power | first=John | date=June 2008 | journal=The Indexer | volume=26 | format=PDF | accessdate=January 10, 2012 | issue=2 }}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|p=18.80}}</ref><ref name="IFLA Japan">{{Harvnb|IFLA|1996|pp=118–120}}</ref>
** There are exceptions. [[Sumo]] wrestlers, [[geisha]]s, [[kabuki]] actors, and practitioners of traditional crafts and arts may take professional names. These names follow the same practice as Chinese names. Sumo wrestler [[Toyohibiki Ryūta]]'s sort value is <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Toyohibiki, Ryuta}}</nowiki></code>.<ref name="IFLA Japan" />
* [[Malaysian names|Malaysian]] names usually use a patronymic system and are sorted as they are written. There are exceptions; most notably, Malaysian Chinese names are handled as regular Chinese names.<ref>{{Harvnb|IFLA|1996|pp=145–149}}</ref>
* [[Portuguese names]] (Portugal only) are commonly composed of one or two [[given name]]s, and two [[surname|family names]]. In a compound family name, the first name is the mother's maiden name, with the second name being the father's surname. These names should be sorted on the last element or the father's name. [[Francisco da Costa Gomes]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Gomes, Francisco da Costa}}</nowiki></code>.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|p=18.81}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|IFLA|1996|pp=185–186}}</ref>
* [[Spanish names]] are similar to Portuguese names in that they are commonly composed of one or two [[given name]]s, and two [[surname|family names]]. However, in a compound family name, the first name is the father's name, while the second name is the mother's name. The sort value depends on how many names are in the articles title. For [[Gabriel García Márquez]], with two family names and one given name, the sort is <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Garcia Marquez, Gabriel}}</nowiki></code>. For [[José Ignacio García Hamilton]], with two family names and two given names, the sort is <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Garcia Hamilton, Jose Ignacio}}</nowiki></code>. Be careful, as the article's title may include any combination of given names and family names.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|p=18.82}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|IFLA|1996|pp=211–213}}</ref>
* [[Thai names]] have only contained a family name since 1915 and the name follows the western pattern of "given name, family name". However, people in Thailand are known and addressed by their given name. In categories mostly containing articles about Thai people, all names should be sorted with the given name first. For example, [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] is sorted <code><nowiki>[[Category:Thai people|Thaksin Shinawatra]]</nowiki></code>.<ref>{{Harvnb|IFLA|1996|pp=232–234}}</ref> That the entries in a category are sorted in this way for this reason should be indicated on the category page, for which the {{tl|Thai people category}} template can be used. Thai names in categories which only contain relatively few such names should, in these categories, be sorted without applying the "sort by given name before family" exception, which only applies to categories which dominantly contain Thai names and which are entirely sorted the Thai way. [[user:cewbot]] is now maintaining sort keys in Thai-people categories.
* Most Muslim [[Turkish name#Surnames|Turkish names]] before 1934 had no surname. After 1934, people adopted surnames.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.theindexer.org/files/25-3/25-3-cp2_005.pdf | title=Turkish names | last=Alakas | first=Meral | date=April 2007 | journal=The Indexer | volume=25 | format=PDF | accessdate=January 11, 2012 | issue=3 }}</ref>

=== Historical patronymic names ===
The patronymic system was once common throughout Europe and in some parts of the world. See [[Patronymic]] for the list of systems used in each country. Patronymic names should be sorted on their first name. The following is to distinguish how to sort the relevant historical people in some of the more common languages:
* [[East Slavic languages]] ([[Russian language|Russian]] and [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]]) with the ending ''-ovich'', ''-ovych'', ''-yevich'', ''-yich'' are used to form patronymics for men. For women, the endings are ''-yevna'', ''-yivna'', ''-ovna'', ''ivna'' or ''-ichna''. For example, in Russian, a man named Ivan with a father named Nikolay would be known as Ivan Nikolayevich or 'Ivan, son of Nikolay'.
* [[Irish names]] were formed by using ''Mac'' for "son of", ''Ó'' or ''Ua'' for "grandson of", ''Ní'' for "daughter of the grandson of", ''Nic'' for "daughter of the son of" and finally, ''Uí'' for "wife of the grandson of". The transition to fixed surnames began around 1000 and was completed after 1200. An example would be [[Ailill mac Dúnlainge]], son of [[Dúnlaing mac Muiredaig]].
* [[Patronymic#Jewish usage|Jewish names]] were formed by using ''ben'' or ''bar'' for "son of" and ''bat'' for "daughter of". Permanent surnames started in the [[Iberian Peninsula]] around 1000 and spread eastward over the next 700 years.<ref>{{Harvnb|IFLA|1996|pp=108–110}}</ref>
* [[Scandinavian family name etymology|Scandinavian names]] ([[Danish language|Danish]], [[Swedish language|Swedish]] and [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]]) were formed by using the ending ''son'', ''søn'', ''sen'' to indicate "son of", and ''dóttir'', ''-dotter'', ''datter'' for "daughter of". Denmark outlawed the patronymic system in 1828, Sweden in 1901 and Norway in 1923. However, the countries started to abandon the patronymic system much earlier. The nobility and academics started using surnames in the mid 1500s, the middle class around 1700, with most people having surnames in the 1800s. An example of a patronymic name would be [[Sverker Karlsson]], the son of [[Karl Sverkersson]]. See also the section about Icelandic names above.
* [[Scottish Names|Scottish names]] began using fixed surnames around the 12th century, though the practice continued in some areas until the 1700s. In the Gaelic language, the word meaning son is ''mac''. The word meaning daughter is ''nic''. [[Máel Coluim mac Donnchada]] was the son of [[Donnchad mac Crínáin]] and is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Mael Coluim Mac Donnchada}}</nowiki></code>.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/content/help/index.aspx?560 | title=Scottish Surnames and Variants | publisher=Scotland | work=Scotland's people | accessdate=January 10, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Welsh name]]s before the 1536 [[Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542|Act of Union]] were mostly patronymic, but people had begun to use fixed surnames for over 100 years. The patronymic practice continued after 1536 and is still used today. In the Welsh language, the word meaning son is ''ap'' or ''ab''. The word meaning daughter is ''merch'' or ''verch'' (modern spelling ''ferch''). [[Rhiryd ap Bleddyn]] was the son of [[Bleddyn ap Cynfyn]] and is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Rhiryd Ap Bleddyn}}</nowiki></code>.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.theindexer.org/files/17-1/17-1_012.pdf | title=The Indexing of Welsh personal names | last=Moore | first=Donald | date=April 1990 | journal=The Indexer | volume=17 | format=PDF | accessdate=January 10, 2012 | issue=1 }}</ref>

===Nobility===
{{Shortcut|WP:PEERS}}
* Kings, queens, emperors, emirs, sultans, popes and others known by their official names should be sorted as spelled out. An ordinal number is converted to an Arabic numeral with a leading zero. [[Louis IX of France]]'s sort value is <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Louis 09 of France}}</nowiki></code>. In some cases, you can leave off redundant information in a category, <code><nowiki>[[Category:French monarchs|Louis 09]]</nowiki></code>.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|p=18.37}}</ref>
* European princes and princesses are sorted by their given name. [[Prince Charles]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Charles, Prince of Wales}}</nowiki></code>. Because of the prevalence of princes with the same name, Arabic or Muslim princes are sorted by their given name, but a second name (usually their father's given name preceding bin or ibn) is added. Prince [[Talal bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud]], whose father is [[King Abdul-Aziz]], is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Talal Bin Abdul-Aziz}}</nowiki></code>.<ref name="Arabic names" /><ref name="18.38">{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|p=18.38}}</ref>
* [[British Peerage|British peers]] are sorted by name of the title rather than surname, e.g. [[Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury]] is alphabetized under "Salisbury", not "Gascoyne-Cecil" or "Cecil": <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Salisbury, Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of}}</nowiki></code>.<ref name="18.38" />
* Some peers are almost invariably known by some name other than their peerage (which will not, in such cases, appear in the article title); for example, [[Frederick North, Lord North]] (who was 2nd Earl of Guilford) or [[Anthony Eden]] (who was 1st Earl of Avon). This should be followed for most categories, sorting them under ''North,...'' and ''Eden,...''; but categories directly relating to the peerage should still sort them under it. <code><nowiki>[[Category:Earls in the Peerage of Great Britain|Guilford]]</nowiki></code> and <code><nowiki>[[Category:Earls in the Peerage of Great Britain|Avon]]</nowiki></code>, respectively.
* Unless necessary for identification, ''Sir'', ''Dame'', ''Lord'' and ''Lady'' should be omitted from the sort value.<ref name="18.38" />

===Other exceptions===
{{Shortcut|WP:MCSTJR}}<!--Mnemonic: "McSaint Jr."-->
* Eliminate [[epithets]]: e.g. "Saint" in [[Saint Alban]]: <code><nowiki>[[Category:Saints|Alban]]</nowiki></code>.
* [[Suffix (name)#Generational titles|Generational suffixes]] (e.g., "Jr." or "III"), should be placed at the end of the sort key, rather than with the surname: [[Robert J. Smith II]] sorts as <code><nowiki>[[Category:New Jersey politicians|Smith, Robert J. II]]</nowiki></code>, not <code><nowiki>[[Category:New Jersey politicians|Smith II, Robert J.]]</nowiki></code>.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|p=18.41}}</ref>
* Only hyphens, apostrophes and periods/full stops punctuation marks should be kept in sort values. All other punctuation marks should be removed. The only exception is the apostrophe should be removed for names beginning with O'. For example, [[Eugene O'Neill]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:ONeill, Eugene}}</nowiki></code>.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|p=18.72}}</ref>
* Clerical titles, academic titles, military titles and [[honorifics]] should not be used in sorting. For example, [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:King, Martin Luther Jr.}}</nowiki></code> and without the titles "Doctor" or "Reverend", for his academic and clerical achievements.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|p=18.39}}</ref>
* Surnames beginning with ''Mac'' or ''Mc'' are sorted as they are spelled. [[Douglas MacArthur]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:MacArthur, Douglas}}</nowiki></code> and [[Malcolm McDowell]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:McDowell, Malcolm}}</nowiki></code>.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|p=18.71}}</ref> This is also British standard (BS 3700:1988)<ref>{{Harvnb|Butcher's copy-editing|2006|p=195}}</ref> and [[ISO 999]]:1996 standard for preparing indexes.
* Names with particles or prefixes are a complex field and there are exceptions and inconsistencies. Examples of particles are ''af'', ''al'', ''dall'', ''de'', ''della'', ''di'', ''dos'', ''du'', ''el'', ''la'', ''o'', and ''von''. Whether or not to include the particle in sorting can be up to the individual's personal preference, traditional cultural usage or the customs of one's nationality.
** Generally, [[Dutch names|Dutch]], [[French names|French]], [[German names|German]], [[Italian names|Italian]], [[Portuguese names|Portuguese]], [[Spanish names|Spanish]], and [[Swedish name|Swedish]] names do not include lowercase particles in sorting, but do include uppercase particles. For example, [[Otto von Bismarck]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Bismarck, Otto von}}</nowiki></code>, [[Jean de La Fontaine]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:La Fontaine, Jean de}}</nowiki></code>, and [[Alberto Di Chiara]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Di Chiara, Alberto}}</nowiki></code>.
** American, Australian, Canadian, and English names generally sort on the prefix, regardless of capitalization. However, there are discrepancies between different sources on whether to sort on the prefix or not.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chicago Manual of Style|2003|p=18.69}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|IFLA|1996|pp=252–253}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Indexing Books|2005|p=169}}</ref>{{clarify|date=November 2018|reason=We don't care. The purpose of this page is to provide sorting advice, not write an article about how others out in the world do sorting. See talk page.}}
** In [[Belgium]], [[Dutch names|Dutch]]/[[Flemish]] and [[French names|French]]/[[Walloons|Walloon]] names sort differently by time period. For people in the [[Southern Netherlands]] (Belgium) before 1830, surnames are sorted on the body of the surname and not on the [[tussenvoegsel|prefix(es)]]. For example, [[Rogier van der Weyden]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Weyden, Rogier van der}}</nowiki></code> and [[Gérard de Lairesse]] <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Lairesse, Gerard de}}</nowiki></code>. In contrast, Belgian people since 1830 are sorted on the prefix. For example: [[Paul van Ostaijen]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Van Ostaijen, Paul}}</nowiki></code> and [[Christian de Duve]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:De Duve, Christian}}</nowiki></code>.<ref name=pitchford>{{cite journal | url=http://theindexer.org/files/25-2/25-2-cp1_011.pdf | title=Dutch, German, Austrian, Flemish and Afrikaans names | first=Jacqueline | last=Pitchford | journal=The Indexer | volume=25 | issue=2 | date=October 2006 | format=PDF | accessdate=January 17, 2012 }}</ref><ref name=Harvnb29>{{Harvnb|IFLA|1996|pp=29–31}}</ref>
** In [[South Africa]] and [[Namibia]], Dutch/[[Afrikaans]] and German surnames are sorted by prefix, e.g. [[F. W. de Klerk]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:De Klerk, F. W.}}</nowiki></code>.<ref name=pitchford/><ref name=Harvnb29/>
** In modern Arabic or Islamic names, the prefixes ''[[Al-|al]]'' and ''el'', regardless of capitalization, are never part of a family name for indexing. For example, [[Osama Al-Muwallad]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Muwallad, Osama}}</nowiki></code> and [[Ezzat el Kamhawi]] is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Kamhawi, Ezzat}}</nowiki></code>.<ref name="Arabic names" /><ref name="18.74"/>
** Sometimes the name containing the prefix is not a family name, but a description of where the person is from. In these cases, the sort value is how the entire name is spelled. For [[Peire de Corbiac]], "de Corbiac" is a description where Peire is from, the town of Corbiac. So, the name means 'Peire of or from Corbiac' and is sorted <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Peire de Corbiac}}</nowiki></code>.
* Sometimes a given name is combined with neither a surname nor a peerage title; it is preferable to sort on the first name in these cases. Example: for [[Augustine of Hippo]], use <code><nowiki>[[Category:Christian philosophers|Augustine of Hippo]]</nowiki></code> or simply <code><nowiki>[[Category:Christian philosophers]]</nowiki></code>.
* Some people are known primarily by their first name only. When it is not possible to set the first name alone as the article title, as with many articles in [[:Category:Brazilian footballers]], you should sort with the first name first to make the article easier to find in the categories. For example, [[Leonardo Araújo]] is commonly known as Leonardo, and should be sorted as <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:Leonardo Araujo}}</nowiki></code>.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Football/Archive_56#DEFAULTSORT | title=Defaultsort | publisher=Wikipedia | work=WikiProject Football | date=June 2011 | accessdate=January 17, 2012}}</ref>

==Creating a new category==
{{details|Help:Categories}}
is as simple as using it on a page. But we have some community rules about naming and purpose of a category that you should consider.

===Before creating a new category===

Before creating a new category, please be sure a similar category does not exist.

:'''''Example''': You might want to list someone in [[:Category:Mexicans]]. Before creating that category, try to find it under a similar name. By starting at [[:Category:People by nationality]], you will discover that Mexicans are placed in [[:Category:Mexican people]].''

==== Consider making a list ====

Consider whether a [[Wikipedia:Categories, lists, and series boxes|list or other grouping technique would be more appropriate]]:
* for trivia (''such as "dog owners" etc...'', see also [[Wikipedia:Trivia|general trivia policies]])
* for categories whose members would require frequent notes to explain the reasons for each inclusion.
** '''''Note''': Wikipedians are divided about whether categories should be used for such topics, and might propose such categories for deletion. Nonetheless: always follow your own gut instinct in this matter.''
* Please note that lists would be useful where it is important to see dates, for example, a list of medal winners or a [[List of Nobel laureates]].

==== Consider whether the category might be considered category clutter ====
{{Main|Wikipedia:Overcategorization}}
For example [[Wikipedia:Eponymous overcategorization|eponymous categories]] (categories named after a person) should only be created if sufficient directly related articles exist.

=== Choose an appropriate name for the category ===
{{Main|Wikipedia:Naming conventions (categories)#Categorization of people}}
A good category name is generic and neither too long nor too short.

Finding a good category name for sensitive people-related topics is not a "mathematical" science, but relies on good taste, and more than often on a bit of creativity to find a good solution that satisfies all.

===Clearly define the category===

It is preferable that the category definition (on the category page) tries to exclude vague or non-[[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutral point of view]] (NPOV) cases. In many cases, only referencing a Wikipedia article explaining the term is not sufficient as a definition for a category. This is true for almost ''every'' sensitive category. If the article you want to use as definition is problematic in itself, consider improving the article. Otherwise, or if that is not sufficient, write a definition of what goes in and what goes out of the category on the category page, with the reference article(s) as background information.

:'''''Example''': "Atheist" can be used as an offensive term (people living under a [[Fatwa]] are still today often called atheist by their condemnors, irrespective of whether the former consider themselves atheist). Some of the vague (and non-NPOV) edges of an "Atheists" category are about the unclear distinction between "strong" and "weak" atheism (see the [[atheism]] article) and about whether only outspoken followers of atheistic beliefs should be named or everyone generally considered to be an "Atheist". See [[:Category:Atheists]] for how the category is currently defined.''

===Place the new category in another category===

See the [[Wikipedia:Categorization|general rules regarding categorization]], and try to position the new category in a suitable place on the [[:Category:People|tree of "people" categories]].

==Experiencing a problematic categorization==
===Improper categorizations===

If a person has an "incorrect" categorization, remove the category from the article and replace it (if applicable) with a correct category.

If the categorization is "correct" and the category is reasonable, but still seems problematic, please discuss the categorization on the talk page of the article in question. If the same concern applies to many members of the category, you can list the category for discussion at [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion]] if a merge or rename is required, or at a relevant WikiProject board.

===Improperly named categories===

If the category name has an obvious typographical error, please list it for speedy renaming at [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy]].

===Redundant categories===
{{see also|Wikipedia:Overcategorization}}

If the category name has an obvious and unnecessary redundancy with another existing category, please list it for deletion or merging at [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion]].

===Inappropriate categories===
{{See also|Wikipedia:Overcategorization#Subjective inclusion criteria|Wikipedia:Overcategorization#Opinion about a question or issue}}

If the problem is not about accuracy, but about an "(in)appropriateness" for a single article to be in this category, you can remove that categorization from that article, but also consider the following:
* Check whether you can solve (part of) the problem by making (a) better category definition(s);
* If still needed, find or create a more appropriate category, for re-categorizing this single article.
* If it seems clear to you that there are more articles to which this category is applied "inappropriately", add the {{tl|SCD}} disclaimer to the bottom of the text ''or'' the {{tl|Categorisation of people disputed}} dispute notice to the top of the text of the category description. Allow some time for this notice to take effect—possibly help with some manual recategorization (if you are familiar with the topics of the articles to which this categorization was applied). Remove the "disclaimer"/"dispute notice" if the use of this category seems OK again.
* If you have a proposal for a better name for the category, a wider re-arrangement of the categorization scheme, or if you see a more general contradiction with Wikipedia [[wikipedia:policies and guidelines|policies and guidelines]] regarding this category, participate in or post new discussions on the discussion page of the category. Consider whether you can invite more potentially interested people to take part in the discussion, for example by leaving messages on their user talk pages (check, for example, the discussion page of the category and history tabs to find out who might be concerned by this category—also try to contact project people if the category is part of one or more Wikipedia [[wikipedia:projects|projects]]).
** If there is no agreement within a week or so, and you are in the middle of a conflict, see [[Wikipedia:Dispute resolution]] for what to do next. When reaching the "voting" (or "poll") step, [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion]] is the usual platform to proceed with such a vote.

==Category namespace templates==
{{see|Wikipedia:Template messages/Category namespace}}

Most of the templates that can be found at [[Wikipedia:Template messages/Category namespace]] are about sorting and organising categories. Here are two that can be used for problematic "people" categorizations:
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3"
|-
! What to type !! What it makes
|-
| | {{tetl|categorization of people disputed}}
| |
{{categorization of people disputed|nocat=true}}
|-
| | {{tetl|subjective category}}<br> '''Note:''' unlike other templates, this note is placed at the ''bottom'' of the category page.
| |
{{subjective category|nocat=true}}
|-
|}
* See [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Howto]] instructions to use the templates for deletion ({{tl|cfd}}), for renaming ({{tl|cfr}}), or for merging ({{tl|cfm}}).

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite book | ref=CITEREFButcher's_copy-editing2006 | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=LT1r8VE4E80C | title=Butcher's copy-editing: the Cambridge handbook for editors, copy-editors and proofreaders | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2006 | edition=4th | first1=Judith | last1=Butcher | first2=Caroline | last2=Drake | first3=Maureen | last3=Leach | isbn=0-521-84713-3 | accessdate=January 12, 2012}}
* {{Cite book | ref=CITEREFChicago_Manual_of_Style2003 | url=http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/CHIIndexingComplete.pdf | title=Indexes - A chapter from the Chicago Manual of Style | publisher=University of Chicago Press | year=2003 | edition=15th | isbn=0-226-10406-0 | accessdate=January 11, 2012}}
* {{Cite book | ref=CITEREFIFLA1996 | url=http://www.ifla.org/files/cataloguing/pubs/names-of-persons_1996.pdf | title=Names of persons : national usages for entry in catalogue | publisher=K. G. Saur | place=Munich; New Providence; London; Paris | year=1996 | edition=4th revised and enlarged | series=UBCIM publications ; new series, vol. 16 | editor=[[International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions]] (IFLA) | isbn=3-598-11342-0 | accessdate=January 10, 2012}}
* {{Cite book | ref={{SfnRef|Indexing Books|2005}} | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=G0Eqm8FbiTMC | title=Indexing Books | publisher=University of Chicago Press | year=2005 | edition=2nd | last1=Mulvany | first1=Nancy C. | isbn=0-226-55276-4 | accessdate=January 17, 2012}}

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