GenderAPI Authentication – API Key & Bearer Token

Authentication overview

Choose how to send your API key

All authenticated requests require a valid GenderAPI key. The Authorization header is the recommended default because it separates credentials from your request data.

Bearer token

Send the key in the Authorization header.

JSON body

Send the key as a server-side POST field.

Recommended

Authorization header

Bearer token

Set Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY and send only the input parameters in the JSON body.

AuthorizationBearer YOUR_API_KEY

cURL

curl -X POST "https://api.genderapi.io/api" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{"name":"Alice"}'

JavaScript

fetch("https://api.genderapi.io/api", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
    "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({ name: "Alice" })
});

Alternative

API key in the JSON body

POST body

Include the key as the key property alongside your request data. Use this method only from trusted server-side code.

cURL

curl -X POST "https://api.genderapi.io/api" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"name":"Alice","key":"YOUR_API_KEY"}'

Python

import requests

response = requests.post(
  "https://api.genderapi.io/api",
  json={
    "name": "Alice",
    "key": "YOUR_API_KEY"
  }
)
print(response.json())

Credential safety

Protect your API key

Store keys in server-side environment variables or a secrets manager.
Never commit a key to source control or expose it in browser JavaScript.
Remove credentials from application, proxy and analytics logs.
Use HTTPS for every request and replace a key if it may have leaked.

Quick comparison

Which method should you use?

Method	Best for	Credential location
Bearer tokenRecommended	Most server integrations	`Authorization` header
JSON body	Existing POST integrations	`key` property

POST content type: Set Content-Type: application/json when sending a JSON request body.

Next guide

Send a single name request

Gender from nameSingle request parameters and response →Client librariesReturn to official SDKs →