PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of perceived external prestige (PEP) on organizational identification in the context of a Greek public organization and to address the moderating role of gender in the relationship between PEP and organizational identification.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained from a sample of 159 employees working in Citizens Service Centers. Analysis was conducted using moderated hierarchical regression analysis.FindingsPEP is positively related with organizational identification (β=0.33, p<0.001). The influence of the interaction of PEP and gender on organizational identification is also supported (β=−0.29 p<0.05). In particular, the effect of PEP on organizational identification was stronger for men.Research limitations/implicationsLimited inference to other private and public organizations because data are based on one public organization. The cross‐sectional analysis of the data cannot directly assess causality.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine the moderating role of gender in the relationship between PEP and organizational identification.