As the saying goes, “names have power” and it’s true.
Names can affect how we feel about ourselves as well as our personal and professional relationships.
However, choosing a name for your baby isn’t just about what sounds best or looks great on paper – it’s also about the future effect the name itself will have on the child’s life.
Some parents simply like that gender neutral names are not as popular, and that most traditional binary names have been overused.
Many parents choose not to find out the gender of their baby, so they need a gender neutral name.
Finally, gender discrimination is a very real thing and it affects every part of society from families to schools, from workplaces to bathrooms, even within our own governments.
Many parents today are choosing gender neutral names that can apply to either gender so as not to ostracize a gender identity later in life and affect how the world may treat them.
Whatever your reasoning… here are 111 gender neutral names to inspire you, broken out by five categories…
- Unique Gender Neutral Names
- Popular Unisex Names
- Awesome Nonbinary Names
- Cute Gender-Neutral Names
- Common Nonbinary Names
This is a current, modern list of unisex baby names you’re sure to love. Each section is listed in alphabetical order.
Let’s get started!
Unique Gender Neutral Names
If you’re looking for a baby name that’s not commonly used, look through these 13 unique gender neutral names below.
Every name on this list could be used for a girl’s name or boy’s name!
1. Amari
2. Arlo
3. Atlas
4. August
5. Easton
6. Haven
7. Kane
8. Landry
9. Patton
10. Terrin
11. Valen
12. Whitley
13. Zane
Related: 175+ Cool Country Boy Names to Love
Popular Unisex Names
If you’re looking for a more popular unisex name, check out the 37 options for baby names below.
None of these would be considered a masculine name or feminine name.
In this list, you’ll notice some familiar names of famous people such as actress Blake Lively or actor Ashton Kutcher.
14. Aden
15. Adrian
16. Andie
17. Ari
18. Ariel
19. Ashton
20. Avery
21. Baker
22. Blake
23. Blaine
24. Blair
25. Brooks
26. Camden
27. Cameron
28. Colby
29. Dakota
30. Dawson
31. Devan
32. Drew
33. Emery
34. Emerson
35. Hunter
36. Julian
37. Kirby
38. Maddox
39. Parker
40. Perry
41. Peyton
42. Quinn
43. Reagan
44. Riley
45. Rowan
46. Saylor
47. Sawyer
48. Sidney
49. Sloane
50. Tanner
51. Tatum
Related: 150+ Short Names for Girls We Love
Awesome Nonbinary Names
Looking for an awesome nonbinary name for your baby?
Join many parents in this growing trend by exploring the 28 nonbinary name options below.
52. Arden
53. Ashton
54. Aspen
55. Auden
56. Beckett
57. Caelan
58. Campbell
59. Dalton
60. Dallas
61. Darian
62. Denver
63. Ellison
64. Flynn
65. Grayson
66. Harlow
67. Hudson
68. Ira
69. Jace
70. Jalen
71. Jude
72. Kennedy
73. Lennon
74. Loren
75. Maxwell
76. Phoenix
77. Presley
78. River
79. Rooney
80. Sutton
Related: 150+ Names with an Edge for Your Baby
Cute Gender-Neutral Names
If you’re on the hunt for a gender-neutral baby name that just SOUNDS cute, any one of the 17 name options below will be a great choice.
81. Bex
82. Beck
83. Channing
84. Darby
85. Finley
86. Hayden
87. Kai
88. Kade
89. Lane
90. Luca
91. Madison
92. Nowell
93. Oakley
94. Pax
95. Reese
96. Rory
97. Stevie
98. Teegan
Related: 100+ Cute Boy Names That Are French
Common Nonbinary Names
Finally, there’s a reason why common nonbinary baby names have been used for decades… because people love them!
Here are some of the most common gender neutral names that have stayed in a top spot for years.
99. Alex
100. Casey
101. Charlie
102. Corey
103. Jordan
104. Logan
105. Mason
106. Morgan
107. Nicky
108. Ryan
109. Sam
110. Taylor
111. Tyler
Related: 80+ Unique Scottish Girl Names
Things to Consider When You’re Making a Name Choice
Did this list of potential baby names bring any excitement and progress towards choosing the perfect baby name?
You’ll have to consider, of course, how it will sound with their middle name and last name.
Try saying both the first name and middle name out loud. If you were yelling or cheering, are they too difficult to say quickly together?
Next, write out what their name’s monogram would be. What do the abbreviated 3 letters together read? For example, if you like the name Aden Sawyer Smith. You might want to consider that their initials would be A-S-S! Mature, I know, but I’m sure this has happened.
Finally, have you looked up the name meaning? Knowing whether it’s of english origin, irish origin, or greek origin may or may not be important to you. You can look up this information for first names easily a on site like Behind the Name. There is also a similar feature for a last name or family name on Ancestry.com.
Related: 100+ Guardian Names for Your Baby
Frequently Asked Questions about Gender Neutral Names
How do I find out how rare or popular a baby name is?
If you’re wondering how rare or popular a baby name is, we recommend looking it up on the ‘Popularity of Name’ tool on the Social Security Administration website. Unfortunately in order to look up the name rank and popularity, you have to select the gender you want to see. Choose one and take note of the Male rankings followed by the Female rankings. Between the two sets of statistics, you should know if the baby name is rare (or popular) enough.
What is a binary name?
The definition of a binary name according to the dictionary is “the scientific name for an organism consisting of its genus and species”. A binary name clearly fits into one gender classification and not the other. We are now learning that binary names typically adhere to social norms and may fall into gender stereotypes.
What is a nonbinary name?
A nonbinary name is a name that can be either male or female, not one or the other. They are also referred to as unisex names and they’ve become more and more popular in recent decades. Some think that there are too many gender neutral names being created while other modern parents like them because most traditional binary names have been overused.
In general, a nonbinary name is any name that is not purely masculine or purely feminine. In other words, it’s the exact opposite of the gender binary.
What is an androgynous name?
Androgynous names are one that can apply to either gender. They are not too masculine or feminine, mostly because they’re created to be unique rather than fitting into a certain category. These names can also referred to as unisex names – the same as binary names or nonbinary names.
We interviewed Ruth Carter, who has been non-binary since 2016, and asked her what it means to be non-binary. Here was her response….
Many people are given names by their parents that are traditionally masculine or feminine. Many non-binary people select a new name that is more gender neutral. Some peoplelegally change their name, and other have a non-binary name that is more gender neutral they use for situations like buying coffee. For example, my legal name is Ruth. I use it in professional settings and with my friends. When I order coffee or asked for my name by a sales clerk, I use my non-binary name, which is Maven.
What does it mean to be non binary or have non binary gender?
Verywell Mind has a great article on this topic if you want to learn more about what it means to classify as a nonbinary person.
Also from Ruth… being non binary literally means we are outside the male-female gender binary. We are not male or female. Many non-binary people (but not all) have a more neutral or androgynous gender expression. (For example, I have short hair, and when I bought glasses, I said I wanted frames that would work with a dress or shirt and tie.) The abbreviation for non-binary is “X.” Many of us use they/them pronouns.
Finally, Jane Pilcher is highly recommended as a world renowned sociologist based in Leicestershire, UK. She is an expert on gender and on generations and is a leading authority on the sociology of names. Her website has a TON of information on this topic if you want to learn more about the constraints of the gender binary. I’ll leave you with this quote from her…
“Names are so much more than mere nouns. They are adjectives or describing words, informing us about people’s social and cultural identities”.
Looking for Baby Name Inspiration?
Check out our other great lists of baby names!
175+ Southern Names for Your Baby Girl
100+ Rustic Girl Names to Inspire You
100+ Hippie Girl Names for Your Flower Child
45 Beautiful Girls Names That Start With B
150 Short Boys Names: The Ultimate Guide
115+ Classy Baby Girl Names to Love
FAQs
What are some popular gender-neutral names? ›
- Jessie.
- Marion.
- Jackie.
- Alva.
- Ollie.
- Jodie.
- Cleo.
- Kerry.
- Florian.
- Gardener.
- Guthrie.
- Hero.
- Indiana.
- Jagger.
- Jericho.
- Kit.
- Noah. As the most popular unisex baby name in 2020, Noah comes from the Old Testament and means “rest, repose.” ...
- James. ...
- Evelyn. ...
- Harper. ...
- Michael. ...
- Logan. ...
- Avery. ...
- Madison.
It turns out that nearly 1 percent of Americans (or 1 in 109) have a unisex name, which means that at least one-third of newborns given that name were male and at least one-third were female.
What is a fancy name for nonbinary? ›People whose gender is not male or female use many different terms to describe themselves, with nonbinary being one of the most common (sometimes spelled with a hyphen, as “non-binary”). Other terms include genderqueer, agender, bigender, genderfluid, and more.
What is the most common gender neutral title? ›While Mx. is the most common gender-neutral title, it isn't the only one. Another alternative for nonbinary or gender-noncomforming people is Misc., short for miscellaneous, from the Latin for “mixed.” Similarly, the alternative title M.
Why gender neutral names are good? ›For girls in the professional world, having a name that could be thought of as gender neutral might give them an advantage as they correspond electronically or remotely — they can prove themselves on their work ethic and skill instead of being judged on their gender.
Is there a gender neutral title? ›INTRODUCING THE GENDER NEUTRAL TITLE MX
Mx (pronounced 'mux' or 'mix') is a gender neutral title used for people who do not identify with the traditional titles Ms, Miss, Mrs or Mr. The earliest known use of Mx is believed to be in an article published in 19776 and it has gradually gained popularity in society.
- Allie: Meaning “harmony” or nobility. ...
- Amaranth: Meaning “unfading flower”.
- Andi: Meaning “brave”.
- Angel: Meaning “messenger”.
- Aphra: Meaning “dust”.
- Ariel: More than a Disney name, Ariel is an enduring nonbinary Biblical name meaning “lion of God”.
- Arin: Meaning “mountain of strength”.
The top unisex names for baby boys include Ryan, Angel, Jordan, Parker, Sawyer, Rowan, Elliott, Karter, August, and River.
What unisex name means love? ›
Nonbinary & Gender-Neutral Names That Mean Love
Aarati (Hindi) – “Worthy of love” Adarshpreet (Hindi) – “Ideal love” Amabilis (Latin) – “Lovable” Love (English) – Word name meaning “love” or “deep affection”
- Olivia.
- Addison.
- Evelyn.
- Mackenzie.
- Aubrey.
- Morgan.
- Reagan.
- Natalia.
Jamie/Jamey/Jami (feminized) Jamesina, Jamesa (feminine form)
What do you name a miscarried baby? ›Come up with a new nickname. You could use the nursery room theme you planned/imagined for your baby. For example, Baby Owl, Teddy Bear, Cherry, Little Duckling, Chevy, or Dot.
What are cute non binary nicknames? ›- My Datefriend or Datemate. If you're looking for variations of boyfriend or girlfriend, these definitely match the same lilt and tone. ...
- My Sweetie. ...
- My Boo. ...
- My Lover. ...
- My Cutie. ...
- My Significant Other. ...
- My Lovebug.
- “You really thought about how to climb that play structure and you kept trying until you did it.”
- “Riley was sad. You helped fix the block tower. Thank you.”
- “I noticed that you asked your friends to join you when they felt left out. That was very kind.”
- Avery.
- Asher.
- Aiden.
- Aria.
- Angel.
- Adrian.
- Addison.
- Aubrey.
Titles that should be removed include: Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms, Sir, Dame, Lady, Lord. Titles that are considered gender-neutral and can be retained in University documentation include: Dr, Professor.
What does Mx mean in gender? ›“Mx.,” pronounced “mix,” is a coinage preferred by some transgender people who do not identify as either male or female and so do not want to use “Mr.” or “Ms.”
What is a gender-neutral female pronoun? ›Non-gendered or nonbinary pronouns are not gender specific and are most often used by people who identify outside of a gender binary. The most common set of nonbinary pronouns is they/them/their used in the singular (e.g., Jadzia identifies as genderqueer; they do not see themselves as either a woman or a man).
What do you call a nonbinary teacher? ›
Nonbinary teachers embrace gender-neutral honorific. Educators who identify as neither exclusively male nor female have found “Mx.” to be a more fitting classroom honorific. NBC News. Link copied.
What is the gender-neutral name for grandparents? ›Grandy; neutral, short for Grandparent, Grandma or Grandpa.
What is Kai short for? ›In the US, the name Kai is most commonly referred to as being of Hawaiian derivation, meaning “sea.” In Europe, Kai is largely considered to have Frisian origin as a diminutive of the name Kaimbe, meaning “warrior”, or as a short form of Gerard "brave spear".
What nonbinary names mean royal? ›Kinsey The moniker Kinsey is composed of 'cyne,' meaning 'royal,' and 'sige,' meaning 'victory. ' It is a gender-neutral name of English origin.
How do I choose a new name? ›- Avoid passing trends.
- Remember that classic names don't have to be boring.
- Take a look at your family tree.
- Honor your culture.
- Look up meanings.
- Contemplate all possible nicknames.
- Consider the importance of the middle name.
- Don't forget about the initials.
A gender-neutral, androgynous, or non-gendered name is a given name that isn't specific to your child's gender identity or the sex they are assigned at birth.
What is Rory short for? ›Rory is often used as a short form of Roderick although the two names are not connected. It could also be used as a nickname for the girl names Aurora and/or Lorelei.
What is the royal name for gender neutral? ›But the gender neutral options are royal(ty), your highness if you're adressing them directly, monarch, and ruler. Monarch or sovereign.
What is an angel baby? ›"Angel Baby," "Sunshine Baby," and "Rainbow Baby" are terms that refer to babies born just before or after another baby is lost due to a variety of reasons. They help immediate family members move through the grieving process and find meaning in the loss.
What do you call miscarried twins? ›Vanishing twin syndrome is a type of miscarriage that can occur during multiple pregnancies (births involving twins or triplets).
Is it OK to name a miscarried baby? ›
There really are no rules about how anyone should grieve this kind of loss or any loss for that matter, so give yourself space and time to decide what works. 5 Even if you don't decide to name your miscarried or stillborn baby right away, if you want to choose a name later on, that's up to you.
What is the most uncommon name? ›- Flynn.
- Loyal.
- Everest.
- Indigo.
- Caspian.
- Rome.
- Hadleigh.
- Yehuda.
Rory is a gender-neutral baby name of Irish origin. Rory is an Anglicized name derived from the Irish word ruadh, meaning “red,” and the Old Irish name Ruaidhrí, meaning “red king.” History buffs will recognize Rory or Ruaidhrí as the High King of Ireland in the 1100s who fought and challenged Anglo-Norman invaders.
Can you call a girl Rory? ›In recent years, the name Rory has become increasingly popular for girls. This may be due in part to the rise of gender-neutral names, as well as the name's strong, confident connotations. It's a name that exudes sass and style, making it a perfect choice for a modern girl.
What is Rory's middle name? ›Rory's given first name is also Lorelai, but her middle name is Leigh.
Why are names gender neutral? ›For girls in the professional world, having a name that could be thought of as gender neutral might give them an advantage as they correspond electronically or remotely — they can prove themselves on their work ethic and skill instead of being judged on their gender.
Is your highness gender neutral? ›Your Highness; neutral, a way of addressing royalty.