35 Beautiful Gender-Neutral Baby Names for Boys or Girls

There are a number of reasons why parents choose gender-neutral baby names. For a start, it makes things very easy when you’re getting prepared to welcome a baby. If you don’t know the child’s sex before birth or haven’t yet hit the second trimester, choosing a gender-neutral name can remove some of the guesswork. Further, many parents choose neutral names because they prevent gender stereotyping and bias from happening in their child’s future. This can be beneficial when your child becomes an adult and is looking for a job. Parents are also more educated than ever about gender fluidity, trans rights, and gender bias. While a unisex name might not be chosen for expressly political reasons, it’s nice to take into consideration that your child might not fit the rigid gender binary that exists in society. Still, other parents find that many gender-neutral names are unique and cool. Gender-neutral names are more popular than ever! Here are our favorite baby names for parents looking to get ahead of the trend.

35. Brooklyn

The name Brooklyn is English in origin and means “brook” or “stream.” One of the very best boroughs in New York City, Brooklyn has a thriving culture that your child would be proud to be named after. If you love New York, Brooklyn is an excellent choice for your baby’s name.

34. Paris

The name Paris is Greek and means “defender.” Of course, we all love the capital of France for its romance and elegance. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Count Paris is a handsome suitor for Juliet. However, the name has long been used for both boys and girls.

33. River

Just like a steady flowing stream, the name River has been a popular name in English speaking countries for decades. It exudes peace and tranquility and would be a beautiful name for both boys and girls.

32. Jules

In France, the name Jules is popular for both men and women. The name is the Frenchified version of Julius as in Julius Caeser. The name means “youthful” and certainly sounds fresh as well.

31. Knox

The name Knox might sound masculine to you, but it’s actually a name that’s commonly given to both girls and boys. The name is Scottish in origin and means “round hill.” The name became popular around the 13th Century and is closely associated with the Scottish Reformation of that time.

30. Harper

Filled to the brim with Southern charm, the name Harper is a popular children’s name. It became popular for girls after the female novelist, Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. The name is English in origin and means “harp player.” If you’re a musical family, you should definitely consider this name for your baby.

29. Adrian

The name Adrian comes from the same root, “adria” as the Adriatic Sea. The name is suitable for both boys and girls and means “dark.” Several saints and six popes have all shared the name, Adrian.

28. Sidney

City names like Brooklyn and Paris make fantastic gender-neutral baby names because they mean so many things to people. The name, Sydney is no different. Although the capital city of Australia is spelled, Sidney the name can alternatively be spelled Sydney. The name comes from Old English and means “wide meadow.”

27. Billie

Rising pop star Billie Eilish is a young woman who goes by the name Billie. Before this famous Billie, English star Billie Piper helped repopularize the name in the UK. The name Billie was traditionally a nickname given to boys with the name William. Now, the name’s diminutive is commonly given as a first name. The name means “determination.”

26. Skylar

The name Skylar became popular for both boys and girls in the US starting in the 1980s. Before its use as a given name, the name was shared by many Dutch settlers to New York City who spelled it, Schuyler. The name means “noble scholar.” So if you plan on raising a bookworm, the name Skylar would be perfect for her or him.

25. Dakota

The word Dakota describes the Dakota language and translated from the Yankton-Yanktonai and Santee dialects the name means “friend” or “friendly one.” What a perfect name for your little friendly one.

24. Parker

Parker comes from Old English and means “park keeper.” Parker consistently ranks as one of the top 100 baby names in the United States. Until the 19th Century, the name was more commonly an occupational one or a surname.

23. Lake

Name your baby after a big body of water! This would be a perfect baby name for nature lovers. Actress Lake Bell is just one high-profile person who wears the name and wears it well!

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22. Ash

Ash, Ashley, and Ashton are all gender-neutral names that come from the Hebrew word Ash, which means “happy” or “cheerful.” For some reason, single-syllable names are hot right now. And, Ash is one that’s ascending in the U.S.

21. Cameron

Cameron is a Scottish name and means “crooked nose.” While the meaning might not be as beautiful as the name, it’s become a very popular name for both girls and boys.

20. Sterling

The name Sterling seems to have some weight to it. It comes from Old English and means pure. The name used to be an occupational one for metal refiners in pre-Medieval times. But it actually came from the word Starling, which is a bird.

19. Bowie

For fans of Starman David Bowie the name Bowie might be irresistible. The name is Gaelic in origin and means “fair-haired” or “blond.” “Bo” would be such a great nickname.

18. Devin

The names Devin or Devon would make a fine name for a little one. The name is common in a variety of languages and has a few different meanings. It can mean “divine” or “fawn” or “poet.”

17. Jordan

Jordan comes from Hebrew and means “descend.” The name became popular in the Middle-Ages and was given to those baptized in the Jordan River.

16. Drew

Drew is a Welsh name that means “wise.” This name’s popularity has declined over the years, but it’s time for it to make a comeback.

15. Justice

Justice is a popular English name that means exactly what you think it does, “just” or “right.” If you want to impart some balance on your newborn, consider giving this name.

14. Xen

The name Xen is Japanese in origin and comes from Buddhist, Zen. In Latin, “xen” or “xeno” is a common prefix that denotes “strangeness.” If you’re looking for a unique name that no other kid in class will have, Xen is a great option.

13. Reese

Reese is a Welsh name that means “fiery” or “enthusiastic.” This name was most popular for boys until Reese Witherspoon came along and made it a hit for girls as well.

12. Micah

Micah is Hebrew and translates to “Who is like God.” And, not as a question. It means “in the likeness of God.” The name appears several times in the Old Testament and remains popular today.

11. Reed

The name Reed comes from English and used to be a nickname given to someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. This simple yet bold name can also be spelled: Reid.

10. Aspen

The beautiful mountain town, Aspen was named such because of the abundance of Aspen trees in the area. The name comes from English and means “trembling tree.”

9. Cody

The name Cody has an origin that’s a bit hard to pin down. Some scholars agree that the name comes from Old English and means “pillow.” Others site the obsolete Gaelic word “odo” which means “wealthy” as its root.

8. Hunter

Hunter is a very English name that, again, means exactly what you think it does. The name has doubled in popularity over the last 100 years becoming the 57th most popular name.

7. Mackenzie

The name Mackenzie comes from Gaelic and means “son of the wise ruler” or “born of fire.” If you’re looking for a name that’s epic in meaning, consider Mackenzie for your baby.

6. Sawyer

Sawyer was an English occupational name given to someone who saws wood. For fans of Mark Twain and classic American literature, the name Sawyer would be a perfect fit.

5. Archer

Like Sawyer, Archer is another occupational name that means “bowman.” The name has French roots and can be shortened to Archie.

4. Sidney

Sidney comes from Old English and means “of St. Denis.” Denis was a 3rd Century martyr who was decapitated for his faith in France. That’s not a story you will likely tell your little one.

3. Nico

Nico is a Greek name that means “victorious people.” Nico comes from the name, Nike which was the Greek Goddess of victory. Nico is a common nickname for those named Nicola, Nicolo, and Nicholas.

2. Avery

The most fun name meaning on the list, Avery translates to “elf king.” The name is French in origin and is a form of the common English name, Alfred. If you’re looking for a baby name with a touch of whimsy, Avery would be perfect.

1. Taylor

Taylor is another occupational English name that comes from the word “tailor.” The name is in the top 50 names for boys but after Taylor Swift became famous, the name grew in popularity for little girls.

Giving your baby a gender-neutral name is not just a trendy or cool thing to do. These names make easier for growing kids to navigate the world and decide for themselves how they want to identify. These names are also just really great names.

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