The Meaning of “Tomboy”

The word tomboy has long sparked curiosity, confusion, and fascination. Used to describe a girl or woman who displays behaviors, styles, or interests traditionally deemed masculine, the term has evolved throughout history and across cultures. As gender identities become increasingly diverse and self-defined, understanding the modern meaning of “tomboy” is more relevant than ever.

What Is a Tomboy? Modern Definition

A tomboy is typically someone assigned female at birth (AFAB) who adopts a style, behavior, or set of interests traditionally associated with masculinity. This can include:

• Wearing loose-fitting or “male” clothing
• Participating in sports stereotypically associated with boys
• Speaking, moving, or presenting in a way that doesn’t conform to femininity
• Identifying with masculine or androgynous cultural figures

It’s important to note: being a tomboy does not automatically mean someone is transgender, non-binary, or lesbian. It is primarily a style and gender expression—sometimes part of one’s identity, but not necessarily tied to sexuality or gender identity.

Etymology: Where Did the Word “Tomboy” Come From?

The term tomboy first emerged in 16th-century England, though it originally carried a different meaning.

• 1550s: “Tom” was a generic nickname for a man, and “tomboy” initially referred to a rambunctious or boisterous boy.
• Later: The term shifted to describe girls who defied feminine expectations by being bold, active, and unruly—traits viewed as socially improper for women at the time.

This linguistic shift already reflects social judgment on gender norms and behaviors that were considered acceptable for girls.

Tomboys in History: From Rebellion to Resistance

19th Century: Breaking Corsets and Conventions

During the Victorian era, women from intellectual or affluent backgrounds began rejecting the restrictive norms of femininity, both in clothing and social roles. Tomboys were seen as rebels—sometimes mocked, sometimes celebrated.

Literary characters such as Jo March from Little Women helped fuel the image of the tomboy as bold, independent, and untamed.

20th Century: War, Sports, and Boyish Style

In wartime, many women took on roles typically reserved for men: working in factories, driving vehicles, wearing practical clothing. This era helped normalize a function-over-fashion approach to women’s dress codes.

The 1920s introduced the “flapper” or garçonne aesthetic—short hair, pants, cigarettes—paving the way for tomboy fashion before it had a name.

Tomboy and Gender Identity: Expression or Identity?

It is essential to differentiate between:

• Gender expression: how someone presents themselves outwardly—through clothing, voice, gestures, etc.
• Gender identity: how someone internally understands their gender (woman, man, non-binary, etc.)

A tomboy can:

• Identify as a cisgender woman who simply prefers a masculine presentation
• Identify as non-binary
• Be in a phase of gender exploration
• Embrace an alternative form of femininity

Thus, tomboy is a fluid term—embraced with pride by some, felt as restrictive by others.

Tomboy and Sexual Orientation: Avoiding Assumptions

Tomboys are often mistakenly assumed to be lesbians. This stereotype arises from a conflation of gender presentation with sexual orientation.

While many lesbians may align with the tomboy aesthetic, it’s crucial not to equate gender expression with sexual preference. A heterosexual woman can be a tomboy, and a highly feminine woman can be lesbian.

Such confusion fuels stigma, especially in schools or conservative spaces where any deviation from the norm becomes sexualized.

The Tomboy Aesthetic: Fashion, Icons, and Trends

Key Fashion Elements

Tomboy style often includes:

• Oversized button-downs, unisex tees
• Baggy jeans or cargo pants
• Sneakers, boots, or flat shoes
• Neutral or dark color palettes
• Minimal accessories

This look blends streetwear, workwear, and casual menswear, crafting a laid-back but confident appearance.

Influential Brands and Designers

• Telfar and WILDFANG (USA)
• Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto (Japan)
• COS, Acne Studios (Scandinavia)

The tomboy aesthetic is gaining popularity in contemporary fashion circles, particularly among queer and alternative communities.

Well-Known Tomboy Figures

• Kristen Stewart: short hair, androgynous looks, LGBTQ+ advocate
• Ruby Rose: genderfluid actress with a bold and distinctive style
• Billie Eilish (early years): oversized hoodies and sneakers
• Asia Kate Dillon: non-binary actor known for minimal, non-gendered fashion

Tomboy as Feminist Resistance

To many feminists, embodying a tomboy identity is an act of wardrobe rebellion.

Rejecting makeup, wearing “men’s” clothing, and taking up space—both literally and socially—defies the norms of compulsory femininity. In this light, being a tomboy is a form of resistance: a political statement against patriarchy.

This continues a legacy of women pushing back against gendered expectations to redefine how presence is embodied.

Tomboys Across Cultures

Asia: From Boyish Fashion to Cultural Subversion

• In South Korea, tomboy-like idols in K-pop are praised for their bold, androgynous looks.
• In Thailand, “Toms” refer to masculine-presenting lesbians—a recognized subgroup within queer culture.

Africa and Latin America

• In some African countries, tomboys are still viewed as a social or sexual deviation.
• Though the term isn’t widely used in Latin America, similar gender non-conforming behaviors are found in queer communities.

“Tomboy” isn’t globally universal—but its underlying experiences echo across cultures, even if described with different words.

Debating the Term: Outdated or Still Relevant?

Critics argue that