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Thinking of choosing gender-neutral baby names? You’re not alone!
More and more mamas are sidestepping gender stereotypes, opting for something a little more fluid and flexible.
Gender-specific names might still dominate the top ten lists, but as soon as you venture outside the most popular choices, you’ll discover that gender-neutral names are rising through the ranks.
So we’ve done some digging and created our very own list of 205 gender-neutral names to help you find the perfect choice for your little peanut.
In this article: 📝
When we talk about gender-neutral baby names, we simply mean names that fit both boys and girls.
Typically, these androgynous names are shortened versions of traditionally male or female names, like Andy (Andrew/Andrea) or Jackie (Jack/Jacqueline).
But that’s not always the case.
Sometimes it takes a bit of creativity or bravery to change the conversation around a name.
While gender reveals are all the rage these days, some mamas-to-be are opting to ignore the baked goods and pyrotechnics, instead keeping the surprise for the delivery room.
And if that’s you, then you might want a shortlist of flexible, nonbinary, gender-neutral names at the ready!
Other mamas, meanwhile, are deliberately sidestepping traditional naming conventions with one eye on their child’s future.
A gender-neutral name may even help counteract gender stereotyping and sexism when your child is ready to enter school, college, or the workplace.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at ten trendy gender-neutral names:
If you’re keen to choose a gender-neutral baby name, but you’re not sure whether the name you like can be used for different genders, we’re here to help.
Brace yourself ‒ these are the most commonly asked questions when it comes to gender-neutral names (and there are a lot).
Yes, Ash is a gender-neutral baby name, meaning “happy” in Hebrew and “ash tree” in English.
Ash is usually an abbreviation for Ashley or Ashleigh, which are both also gender-neutral names.
Yes, River is a gender-neutral name, evocative of flowing streams and the power of water.
A few famous Rivers? The actor River Phoenix and Instagram influencer River Bleu.
While Saffron is traditionally a girls’ name, it can also be used for baby boys, girls, and they-bies.
Saffron means “yellow flower”, and is also the name of a flower spice used in cooking.
Meaning “the Lord is my God”, Elliot (or Elliott) is usually seen as a boys’ name, but can also be used for baby girls and non-binary babies.
Jayden is a Hebrew name meaning “thankful”, and is typically a boys’ name, but can also be a gender-neutral name.
While Megumi (meaning “blessing” in Japanese) is usually a girls’ name, it can also be used for boys and as a gender-neutral name.
Yes, Max can be a gender-neutral name ‒ it’s usually a nickname for Maximilian (for boys) or Maxine (for girls).
Yes, Kai can be used as a gender-neutral name for boys and girls, although it’s more commonly used as a boys’ name.
Yes, Riley is a gender-neutral name ‒ it was known as a boys’ name for centuries, but has more recently become used as a girls’ name, notably in the Disney film Inside Out.
Yes, Skyler (also spelled Skylar or shortened to Sky) can be used as a gender-neutral name.
Yes, Ari is a gender-neutral name meaning “lion” in Hebrew.
Yes, James is now considered a gender-neutral baby name.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds did when they welcomed daughter James to the family in 2014.
Traditionally a boy’s name, the Hollywood couple flipped the script, naming the little girl after Ryan’s late father.
While Sam is usually a nickname, it can be a gender-neutral name for boys, girls, and they-bies.
Sam can also be a shortened version of Samantha for girls and Samuel for boys.
Yes, Chihiro is a Japanese gender-neutral name meaning “a thousand questions”, for your curious little one.
While Willow is traditionally a girls’ name, made popular by a character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, there are a few instances of it used as a boys’ name.
Yes, Noah is now used as a Biblical gender-neutral name ‒ while the traditional feminine spelling is Noa, both versions can be used for any gender.
Felix is typically a boys’ name, meaning “happy”, but it can be used as a gender-neutral name as well.
Yes, Yuki is a Japanese gender-neutral name meaning “snow”.
Yes, Sydney (or Sidney) is a gender-neutral name, a reference to the bustling Australian city.
Yes, Loki is a gender-neutral name ‒ although it’s generally associated with the masculine Norse god of mischief, it can be used for any gender.
Ryan is traditionally an Irish boys’ name, meaning “little king”, but more recently, it’s been used as a girls’ name, too.
While it’s more commonly seen in a feminine way, Erin is actually an Irish gender-neutral baby name, meaning “green water”.
Yes, Niko (or Nico) is a Slavic gender-neutral name meaning “people’s victory”.
Yes, Luca is a gender-neutral name ‒ in Italy, it’s seen as a boys’ name, meaning “person from Luciana”, but in Hungary, it’s seen as a girls’ name, meaning “light”.
Yes, Alexis is a Greek gender-neutral baby name meaning “defender of the people”.
Generally, no ‒ Alice is considered a girls’ name, meaning “from nobility”, but we also love it as a gender-neutral name!
While Carson was originally an English boys’ name, meaning “son of Carr”, it’s more recently become a gender-neutral name.
Not typically, no. Audrey is generally a girls’ name meaning “noble strength”. But if you’d like to use it for your baby boy or they-bie, you certainly can!
Yes, Brooke (or Brook) is an English gender-neutral name meaning “stream of water”.
Yes, Taylor is a gender-neutral name ‒ from Taylor Swift to Taylor Lautner, and everyone in-between!
Not generally, no. Luna is more typically a girls’ name, meaning “moon”. But you do you!
Yes, Casey is an Irish gender-neutral name, meaning “warrior”.
No, Iris isn’t considered a gender-neutral name ‒ it’s usually a girls’ name, meaning “rainbow”, but you can use it for a baby boy, if you want to!
Yes, Cody is a gender-neutral name and can be used for boys, girls, and they-bies.
Yes ‒ in fact, Quinn (or Quin), meaning “wise”, is considered one of the more popular gender-neutral names at the moment.
Yes, Morgan is a Welsh and Irish gender-neutral name meaning “sea-born”.
Yes, Kelly is a classic gender-neutral name, meaning “war” or “wood grove”.
Yes, Sage is a gender-neutral name, meaning “wise”.
While Andy (or Andi) is usually a nickname for either Andrew or Andrea, it can be used as a gender-neutral given name.
Yes, Kris is a popular gender-neutral name, and an alternative spelling of the more masculine Chris.
Yes, August is a gender-neutral name, meaning “dignified”, although it’s more typically used for baby boys.
Yes, Hazel is a gender-neutral name, perfect if your baby is likely to have beautiful hazel eyes.
Yes, Kyle is a Scottish gender-neutral name, meaning “strait of water”.
Not generally, no ‒ Haruhi is typically a Japanese girls’ name, but it can be used as a boys’ name, if you’d prefer.
Yes, Bailey is considered a gender-neutral name meaning “bailiff”, although you’ll probably see more boys with the name.
Yes, Noel is a gender-neutral name, particularly popular over the festive period, although typically the spellings are Noel for boys and Noelle for girls.
While traditionally an Irish boys’ name meaning “little fire”, Aiden has been used as a gender-neutral name in recent years
Yes, Hailey (or Hayley) is an English gender-neutral name, meaning “meadow”.
Although Amber is usually seen as a feminine name, it can also be used for other genders.
Yes, Rayne is a gender-neutral name meaning “blessings from above”.
Yes, Ren (or Wren) is a gender-neutral name, meaning “lotus” in Japanese or “small bird” in English.
Although it’s much more common as a boys’ name, Jack can also be used as a gender-neutral name, meaning “God is gracious”.
Yes, Evan is a Welsh gender-neutral name meaning “God is good”.
Yes, Corey (or Cory) is a gender-neutral name with a few different meanings: “maiden” in Greek, “in a hollow” in Norse, and “child of Comhraidheh” in Irish Gaelic.
Yes, Nova is a gender-neutral name, meaning “new” in Latin, with ties to celestial baby names ‒ think “supernova”.
Yes, Aubrey is a vintage gender-neutral name, meaning “elf king” in Old German.
Not traditionally, no ‒ Zoe is usually seen as a girls’ name meaning “life” in Greek, but if you like it for your baby boy, don’t let that hold you back!
Yes, Jordan is a popular gender-neutral name, meaning “flowing down” in Hebrew.
Yes, Chase is a gender-neutral baby name used for boys, girls, and they-bies.
Yes, Ace is a Latin gender-neutral name meaning “one”.
Yes, Lex is a gender-neutral name, a form of Alex or Alexis, meaning “defender of people”.
Yes, Rin is a Japanese gender-neutral name meaning “friend”, for the baby who will be everyone’s friend!
Yes, Olive is a gender-neutral name used for boys and girls, although there are more common variations, too: Olivia for girls and Oliver for boys.
Yes, Avery is a popular gender-neutral name, meaning “ruler of elves”.
Yes, Remy is a gender-neutral name, meaning “oarsman” in French. Although Remy is more popular for girls in France, it’s more popular for boys outside of France.
Yes, Akira is a gender-neutral Japanese name, meaning “bright one”.
Yes, Angel is a popular gender-neutral name ‒ although it was more common as a girls’ name in the 1990s, the TV program Angel saw it rise in popularity as a boys’ name.
Yes, Jade is a gender-neutral name, although it’s more popular among baby girls.
Yes, Austin is a gender-neutral name, meaning “majestic” in Old English.
Following the success of the later Star Wars films, the popularity of the gender-neutral name Rey sky-rocketed.
In Spain, it’s more common as a boys’ name, meaning “king”, but after Rey Skywalker, there’s a whole host of Star Wars fans keen to name their baby girls Rey.
While we see Lauren as a girls’ name now, it actually started as a boys’ name, meaning “crowned with laurel” ‒ making it a beautiful gender-neutral name.
Not generally ‒ Leo is more popular as a boys’ name, from the Latin for “lion”, but if you like the sound of Leo for a girl, what’s stopping you?
While Ivy is typically a girls’ name, it can also be used as a botanical gender-neutral name.
Yes, Joey is a gender-neutral name, although it’s generally a nickname for Joseph (for boys) and Josephine (for girls).
One of the more unusual gender-neutral names on our list, Atlas was originally a boys’ name, referring to the god who held up the earth, but it can also be used as a girls’ name.
Want to give your baby a name with a bit of an edge?
You’re sure to find the perfect moniker from these cool gender-neutral baby names:
Not edgy enough? We’ve set aside some of the more badass gender-neutral names, with strong, awesome meanings:
There’s no denying it ‒ no matter their sex, babies are cute.
So here are the top cute gender-neutral names from our mamas on Peanut:
If you’re also looking to break down gender barriers with your child’s name for you, here are some ideas for gender-neutral parent names to inspire you:
Beyond the obvious, there are some unique and unusual androgynous names you may not have thought about.
For instance, names of places (cities or states) like Austin, London, Dallas, Dakota, Brooklyn, Paris, and Montana are popular gender-neutral baby names — especially if you have a connection to the place in question.
Then you’ve got those heroic, powerful monikers ‒ gender-neutral names like Royal, Storm, Justice, Hunter, and Honor are sure to stand out.
Or what about surnames as gender-neutral baby names?
The likes of Lennon, Reagan, Murphy, Kennedy, Parker, Spencer, Taylor, and Morgan all gracefully tread the line between traditional and unusual.
And finally, how about some gender-neutral Biblical baby names?
You could try Gabriel, Levi, or Eden on for size, while Azariah and Jaziah are the very definition of unique gender-neutral names.
There you have it! 205 gender-neutral baby names to choose from.
Naming a child is a deeply personal decision, and an important one, too.
After all, your little one has to live with it.
Choosing something with a strong connection to your life or your family can give your child a unisex name they can be proud of.
Still a little unsure? Share your favorites with your fellow mamas on Peanut.
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