If you’re not one to sweat the sex of your unborn child or to spark a massive wildfire after you do, this decade’s hottest name trend might be the one for you! Unisex or gender-neutral baby names are more popular than ever for all types of parents. With the world as it is, gender-neutral names offer your child a clean slate and allow them to draw their own lines.
We want you to think outside of the classics like Sam and Pat. You should have tons of fun picking the name for your child and getting creative. Look to nature! Econames are another huge trend at the moment and most names inspired by the great outdoors or animals have the added bonus of sounding great for boys, girls, and every other gender identity. Another perk of choosing a unisex baby name is that they, more often than not, are very handsome, cool, and appealing. We’ve taken a deep dive into these names to help you better understand the possibilities. Here are 25 gender-neutral baby names that soar.
25. Justice
Justice is a fashionable word name that comes from French and Latin and means… “just.” If Justice is too mainstream for you (it’s a top 500 baby name), consider the old Roman name Justus. However, we prefer the distinction of Justice.
24. Montana
Like its counterparts Sierra and Dakota, Montana is another Western place name that’s picking up steam. This Spanish place name means “mountainous” and would be perfect for parents looking to impart a touch of rugged, natural beauty.
23. Poet
Poet makes for a perfectly arty and attractive choice. This name works well both as a given first or middle name. Poet is a word name that means exactly what you think it does and carries lyrical implications. This name comes standard with one of the best nicknames ever, Po.
22. River
River is a versatile name that likes to go with the flow. River Pheonix made this name a possibility for baby boys while Kelly Clarkson chose the name for her daughter making it feel just fine for baby girls as well. This wonderful nature name has been on the rise since 2010.
21. True
True is a virtue name similar to Grace, Faith, and Hope. However, truth knows no gender! True works because it sounds similar to Drew with the added positive meaning. We adore this name and expect to see it in the top 1000 in the coming years.
20. Shea
Shea is an old-school Irish name that means “the stately, dauntless one.” This name can also be spelled Shay, but we prefer the warmth of Shea. This name had a moment in the seventies and eighties but fell off the charts in the mid-2000s. Bring it back, parents!
19. Sacha
Sacha is rising in popularity for both boys and girls. Sacha is the French form of the Russian name Sasha which is somehow a short form of Alexander. Funny filmmaker Sacha Baron Cohen is currently the most high-profile individual with the name. The name means “defending warrior.”
18. Hero
Hero is a Greek name that refers to the demi-god Hero who was female. However, we see potential for this name to work for any gender. If Hero seems too grandiose for a first name, consider at as a middle name as Sam Taylor-Wood and Aaron Johnson did for their daughter.
17. Berlin
Brooklyn has become one of the most popular unisex baby names over the last few years. We have decided that its charms extend to other city names like Berlin. The name belongs to the edgy German capital and means “borderline.”
16. Domino
Domino is a strong name with Latin origins which means “lord.” Jazz musician Antoine “Fats” Domino Jr. is a famous inspiration that’s tied to this magnificent name. You get to choose if you want to use Mino, No, Mo, or Dom as a nickname. All winners!
15. Kit
Actor Kit Harington helped bring this name to light for many parents in the US. It can either be a shortened form of Christopher, a Greek name, that means “bearer of Christ” or Katherine, another Greek name, that means “pure.” It’s perfectly situated and sounds nice and neat for any child.
14. Merrit
Actor Merritt Wever spells her name with two T’s, but we’re not picky here. Merrit was originally an English surname that means “boundary gate.” We somewhat favor the spelling with one T because it’s the same as a word that means “worthy” and your little baby deserves the world!
13. Tay
Although many think the name Tay is a shortened form of another gender-neutral name, Taylor, Tay actually has its own special origins. This handsome name belongs to the largest river in Scotland and would be the perfect moniker for your baby. Short, sweet, and right to the point.
12. Nico
Nico is a gender-neutral choice that’s currently red hot with new parents. Nico can be considered a shortened form of Nicola or Nicholas with Greek origins that means “people of victory.” Right now, the name is trending for boys, but we love to hear it for any baby.
11. Scout
To Kill a Mockingbird‘s Scout inspired Demi Moore and Bruce Willis to choose the name for their now-grown daughter. American figure skater, Tai Babilonia chose the name for her son in 1995. This name imparts a sense of leadership and adventure.
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10. Haven
Haven is trending toward girls at the moment thanks to Haven Kimmel, the author of the bestselling memoir A Girl Named Zippy, and Haven Denney, a medal-winning skater. Haven sounds great no matter who gets it and it’s currently on the rise, cracking the top 500 in 2014.
9. Salem
In the US, about 400 babies of both genders were named Salem last year. This name is a Biblical place-name and benefits from also having roots in Arabic (Salim). This handsome moniker means “safe” or “peaceful” or “complete.” This name cracked the top 1000 in 2019!
8. Shiloh
Shiloh is a unisex name that’s seen a steady rise in popularity following Angelina Jolie choosing the name for her daughter in 2007. Shiloh has Hebrew origins and means “tranquil.” The name also has significance in US history as the site of a Civil War battle in Tennessee. We urge you to think of the Hebrew origins in that regard.
7. Sutton
Actor Sutton Foster and all of her many talents are to thank for the popularity of this posh-sounding English name that means “from the southern homestead.” The name works just as well for little boys that’s been on the rise since 2015.
6. Parker
Parker is an English occupational name that’s often found as a surname as well. The name means “park keeper” and thus has a natural identity. Actor Parker Posey has caused this name to rise for girls lately, but it’s still far more common for baby boys.
5. Lake
Well, we’ve somehow slipped into really great actors that have excellent gender-neutral names and Lake Bell is yet another example. Lake has a natural quality that so many new parents are after while also sounding similar to the established Blake (which we also love for any baby). This name hasn’t cracked the charts yet, but we expect it to in the coming years.
4. Cameron
For whatever reason, Scottish surnames tend to make excellent gender-neutral baby names. Kennedy, Mackenzie, and Cameron all sound fabulous. Our favorite of the three is Cameron a name with a funny meaning: “crooked nose.” Cameron gets many customized spelling so feel free to get weird with it. Camron, Camryn, Kameron, Kamran, Kamron, Kamryn, and Camren are all possibilities here!
3. Azariah
Azariah is one of the lesser-used Bible names that’s currently enjoying favor again. This Hebrew name means “helped by God.” You’ll often find this name spelled without the H for girls, but we like it just the way it is.
IF YOU’RE AFTER MORE UNISEX OPTIONS CHECK OUT: 35 Beautiful Gender-Neutral Baby Names for Boys or Girls
2. Rowan
Rowan is a name found in both Irish and Scottish tradition that means “little redhead.” Rowan is the name of a tree with red berries commonly found in Scotland. The tree is said to ward off witches which is why Anne Rice chose it as the name of the hero of The Witching Hour. If your baby is born with a head of red hair, you could do no better!
1. Yael
Yael is a Hebrew name that means “to ascend” or “mountain goat.” It’s traditionally spelled Ya’el and you’ll find both with the addition of Jael used commonly in Isreal today. If you have a Capricorn baby, go for this wonderfully versatile and fun name.
There you go! 25 gender-neutral babies that will go with the flow no matter what gender your babies are. If you dislike gender reveal stunts and parties, these names are going to be suitable for you and your little one. If you’d like to discover even more unisex and gender-neutral baby names, keep reading. We have even more to share with you!
Discover Rare Gender-Neutral Names Worth Considering Below:
Cypress
Cypress is an underutilized gender-neutral name that celebrates nature. Cypress trees symbolize strength, hope, and immortality. That makes this name feel even more appropriate. You will not find this name on any popularity charts but we hope to see that change in the coming years. It could be the next Willow.
Honor
Honor was once a popular virtue name used by the Pilgrims. While it might not have stuck around like Constance, Grace, or Faith, Honor is coming back today. The Pilgrims gave this name to their baby girls but today, the name is given more often to boys than girls. A nice little flip for our modern world. Honor is such an admirable quality which makes it one of the most attractive and positive rare gender-neutral names.
Jupiter
Would you believe us if we told you that Jupiter is given to more baby girls than baby boys today? Of all the babies named Jupiter in recent years, 64% were girls. This is curious due to the mythological history of the name which belonged to the supreme deity and “father of the gods.” We believe we have Ed Sheeran and Ashley Tisdal to thank for this as they both chose the name for their daughters born in 2022 and 2021. We love this name for any baby, however, and we’re quite fond of the nickname Jupe.
Merritt
Although this may sound like a virtue name like Honor, Merritt actually originated as an English surname that means “boundary gate.” We love that solid double-T ending that rivals the likes of other surname-names like Wyatt or Beckett. Actor Merritt Weaver is the most high-profile person with the name today and we hope that her popularity helps shine a light on this excellent unisex option.
Yael
Yael was once only used as a name for girls thanks to its mention in the Bible. But, it’s technically one of the Hebrew gender-neutral names. It underwent this transformation in the 1990s and it’s now a popular choice for any baby, especially in Israel. If you’re unfamiliar with this appellation, it is said with two syllables and is formally spelled Ya’el to reflect that. This treasure of a name means “to ascend.”
Arrow
One of the new crop of gender-neutral names that’s heating up today, Arrow sounds sharp and feels like it’s moving in the right direction. Word-names are often polarizing but we feel this one really works thanks to its similarity to other hit names today like Arlo, Harlow, or even Willow. There have been a few hundred babies given this name in recent years and it’s an even split between baby boys and girls.
Larkin
Larkin is one of the most remarkable gender-neutral names because of its history. Once a medieval nickname for Laurence, Larkin is considered by most today to be an Irish appellation that means “fierce.” In fact, it was once a popular name for boys in the US from the 1880s to the 1900s. Further, this name has a bird-like connotation thanks to the Lark element. There’s just a lot going for this name and we hope it continues to rise for all babies today.
Ridley
As a rule of thumb, surnames tend to make excellent gender-neutral names. Ridley is no exception. This English surname means “cleared wood.” Ridley Scott helped new parents see this surname as a given name possibility, especially for baby boys. But, we think Ridley fits in with other names with a similar ending like Hadley, Harley, Ashley, and Ripley.
Aris
Aris is derived from the name Arista and shared the same root as the word aristocrat. Thus, it’s also considered a short form of the name Aristotle. Aris comes from Ancient Greece but it somehow sounds more contemporary than it does old. The name means “harvest.” It’s yet to trend in the US but it’s a top-1000 name for boys in England today. We love this name for any baby.
Wynn
Wynn (also spelled Wyn) is a Welsh name that was originally given to boys. Today, it’s one of the most popular gender-neutral Welsh names around the world. It has a triumphant sound and a tremendous meaning in “fair and blessed.” If you have Welsh heritage or just like the ring this name has to it, give it a spin.
Azari
Azari is one of the gender-neutral names that’s truly on the rise today and is likely to rank in the top 1000 most popular names for girls in the US in the coming years. Currently, the name is given to far more girls than boys but that should not deter you. Azari is a short form of the Hebrew name Azariah (a name belonging to a male character or two in the bible). It checks off a lot of boxes of what new parents are looking for in a baby name today. It’s unisex, has three syllables, and contains a Z. That’s a triple threat!
Rumi
Rumi is one of the most beloved Japanese gender-neutral names. It can mean “beauty” and/or “flow” and/or “lapis lazuli.” Lapis lazuli is a deep-blue metamorphic rock that’s been prized since antiquity for its color. While Rumi has received attention in the contemporary US as the name of Beyonce and Jay-Z’s young daughter, it’s most famously the name of a (male) 13th-century Muslim mystic and poet.
Ramsey
Ramsey is also spelled Ramsay and both variations are considered gender-neutral names. It had a moment of popularity for boys in the 1980s and early 1990s but has since been evenly split between baby boys and girls. It’s another English surname-turned-given-name. It means “lowlands.”
Brighton
Brighton names a holiday spot in the south of England and means “bright town.” A cheery unisex name, it was used for his daughter by Jon Favreau but was a boy’s name on the TV show The Nanny. The name is really heating up today and we expect it to be widespread over the next decade as more and more parents will inevitably be looking for rare gender-neutral names.
Nikita
Nikita is one of the Russian gender-neutral names that parents have begun to turn to today. It’s an extremely old name that comes from the Greek name Niketas or Aniketos. The appellation means “unconquered” or “victorious.” We are not sure what the current Russian invasion of Ukraine will do for this name’s chances. It could be doomed now after picking up so much steam in the US in recent years.
Austen
A surname belonging to novelist Jane who gave the world Emma and Pride and Prejudice. It’s a decidedly English surname but it comes from the Latin name Augustus or August, meaning “magnificent.” Austen was really moving in the right direction for boys until the early 2000s when its popularity slowed. Now, there’s a more even split making this one of the most accessible and attractive gender-neutral names on the list.
Nazareth
One of the gender-neutral, biblical place names on the rise today Nazareth could be the new Jericho or Galilee. Nazareth is an important place in the New Testament as the hometown of Jesus. It’s really on the rise and is equally split among baby girls and boys today. You get the enviable nickname Naz with this one and we don’t think you can beat that.
Cove
Cove is one of the rare gender-neutral names that was on the rise pre-pandemic but stalled a bit in 2020 before picking up once more in 2021. It is a celebratory nature name that gives title to a “small bay.” The name is almost equally split between boys and girls with it currently trending ever-so-slightly for girls.
Montana
One of the truly evenly split gender-neutral names, Montana is of Spanish origin and indeed means “mountainous.” The name was a trendy pick in the 1990s and early 2000s before it fell off the charts for both boys and girls. We’re expecting it to swing back up and join the other popular names any year now. You cannot deny this name’s rugged charms.
Ever
Ever is an English word name that’s full of possibility. It has ties to male names in Scandinavia that mean “wild as a boar” and in Hebrew, meaning “beyond.” It’s one of the newer gender-neutral names that is really surprising baby name-watchers as parents are using it more than ever for all of their babies. It also has celebrity cred after Alanis Morissette and Souleye named their son Ever Imre and Milla Jovovich and Paul Anderson chose it for their daughter.
Marlo
Marlo is one of the gender-neutral names that is wrapped in mystery. Most believe it’s a modern invention but there is evidence that it has been used as a nickname or diminutive form of Margaret, meaning “drop in the sea,” “bitter,” and “pearl.” The character Marlo Stanfield is a (male) character in the HBO drama The Wire. Marlo Thomas is a famous American (female) actor that has brought light to this name as well. Let the mystery be!
Halen
Halen is a name of English and Scandinavian origins that is sure to inspire a baby to be a well-rooted champion. In Old English, this name translates to “hero.” But, others argue that it’s actually an English habitational name that means “hay land.” Further, in Old Norse, the name means “hall.” Either way you split it, this name works because it is similar to Hale, Haley, Galen, and others.
Lou
Lou is one of the perfectly vintage gender-neutral names that is poised to make a comeback. This adorable name is a short form of Louis or Louise and is of German and French origin. The name means “renowned warrior.” The name fell out of fashion for all babies by the 1970s but we think it’s time for a big comeback. While Lou’s favorability in the US has wained it has really exploded in continental Europe, especially for girls.
Iman
An absolutely gorgeous Arabic, unisex name, Iman means “faith.” The name is wildly popular across the Middle East, of course, but it has also been a hit in England as well. It’s a complete mystery to us as to why the name has never taken of in the US as it is truly so romantic in sound and contains such a positive meaning. You know what to do, new parents!
Linden
Early pagans and Christians treated the Linden as a holy tree. It was thought to aid healing and often planted near churches. The Linden is the mythological symbol of truth, peace, and justice. Linden was mildly popular in the early 1940s in the US for boys but has yet to return to favor. Of all the gender-neutral names on this list, we feel that Linden has the perfect balance as a celebratory nature name that sounds grounded and established.
Jules
We at Mamas Uncut have been beating the Jules drum for years now. In France and Europe more broadly, Jules is one of the most popular names for baby boys. That was the case here in the US too until the middle of the last century when it tanked. Jules is one of the very best gender-neutral names that is rooted in Latin, a form of Julius, meaning “youthful.” We’d really love to hear more of this name stateside and we expect to!
Lake
Lake works as one of the gender-neutral names thanks to its likeness to Blake which has undergone a shift and now goes to more girls than boys. Lake is a lovely nature name that evokes images of cool water tucked inside the mountains. Lake has yet to land in the US top 1000 most popular baby names but expect that to change. Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady chose it as a middle name for their daughter, Vivian. If history is any indication, normal folks tend to do as celebrities do.
Kirby
Kirby was on the US top 1000 most popular baby names for boys list for decades before being joined as a popular choice for girls in the 1970s and 80s. It’s one of the gender-neutral names that has fallen out of fashion today but we still find it cute and energetic. Kirby comes from Norse and English origins and means “church settlement.”
Hollis
Hollis is a name of English origin that originated as a surname. As with many other surnames, it has always been considered among other gender-neutral names in its class. Hollis is a habitational name that means “from the Holly trees.” The name is considered a vintage pick today as it has been off the popularity charts since the 1970s. That means there are plenty of grandparents out there with this name today. What’s old is new!
Amen
Amen is one of the gender-neutral names that incorporate faith like Blessing, Nazareth, and virtue names. Amen is considered a variant of the Hebrew name Amon, meaning “wealthy protector.” For the faithful, the name is also a form of agreement that typically follows prayer and means “so be it” or “it is so” or “it is true.” It is on the rise today and would make a distinct choice.
Halston
Let’s dust off that disco ball and bring back the 70s-inspired name, Halston. The name is synonymous with the American fashion designer who was given it as a middle name. The name is of English origin and is seen more often as a surname than a given one. It means “hallowed stone.”
Laine
Laine is the kind of straightforward name that parents who don’t like fuss should be attracted to. You can spell it the more traditional way, Laine, or go with the streamlined Lane. Both come from the same root and mean the same thing “path.” In the US Lane, is the most popular spelling but Laine is on the rise.
Koi
If you’re looking for an alternative to the newly ubiquitous, Kai, Koi could be the ticket. It is a name from Japanese that means “carp.” The fish are especially popular in ornamental gardens in Japan, where they are a symbol of good fortune. In Buddhist culture, the koi is associated with courage. Koi feels fresh, playful, and contemporary and should be one of the gender-neutral names to make your shortlist if you’d like a nature-inspired appellation.
Sora
Sora is another one of the great Japanese gender-neutral names. It is used for all babies in Japan and has the lovely meaning: “sky.” Sora is completely accessible and works thanks to other names like Sara, Soma, and Koda. American parents are quickly taking notice of this name so get ahead of the trend before it’s not so unique anymore.
Kit
It’s no secret that we at Mamas Uncut love the name Kit. We recommend it all the time as it plays well with others and really sounds precious. it’s also perfectly situated as a gender-neutral name. It comes from English as a form of Katherine or Christopher, thus the name can mean “pure” or “bearer of Christ.” It was once a popular given name for boys but fell of the charts by the middle of the last century. Let’s bring this name back for all babies!
There you go! We hope you found these rare gender-neutral names attractive and unique. Searching for the right baby name for your child can be a challenge but it’s not impossible. Knowing that you want a gender-neutral name considerably helps narrow down the possibilities. If you’re still looking for more gender-neutral names, keep reading as we’ve got even more to share with you below.