What Is a Female Governor Called
A female governor is typically called a governor. The word "governor" is gender-neutral in modern usage, and official titles do not change based on gender. In informal contexts, some people use "governor" for both men and women, while historical or literary sources occasionally use "governess" to refer to a woman in a governing role.
How the Term Is Used
In the United States, each state has a governor regardless of gender. Women serving as state executives are officially titled "Governor," and media and government documents usually refer to them as "Governor [Last Name]." Some sources note that the term "governor" applies to any person holding the office, and usage guides from institutions such as the Associated Press confirm that "governor" is the standard title for women in the role.
Examples of Female Governors
Women have served as governors in multiple U.S. states and in other countries. For example, Katie Hobbs has served as Governor of Arizona, and Janet Napolitano was the first woman to lead Arizona as governor. Internationally, female heads of subnational regions also commonly hold the title "governor" or an equivalent term, depending on the country's official nomenclature.
