gender neutral names I personally like

  1. Jem
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of James or Jeremiah
    • Description:

      This name of the ten-year-old boy in the much loved and acclaimed modern classic To Kill a Mockingbird could find favor along with that of the character's sister, Scout.
  2. Jubilee
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "ram's horn"
    • Description:

      Jubilee has a joyous and jubilant aura, but it wouldn't be an easy name to carry, what with all that pressure to be a living, breathing, 24-7 party. Jubilee was the name selected by television's Duggars for their miscarried child.
  3. Jove
    • Origin:

      Mythological name
    • Description:

      Another name for Jupiter, king of the Roman gods, this jovial name is eminently ready for modern use. Feminine variations include Jovita and Jovie.
  4. Channing
    • Origin:

      English or Irish
    • Meaning:

      "people of Cana or wolf cub"
    • Description:

      Channing is a sophisticated surname name whose use is probably linked to actor Channing Tatum and Channing Crowder, former linebacker for the Miami Dolphins.
  5. Ester
    • Origin:

      Variation of Esther, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "star"
    • Description:

      This simplified spelling is a bit too polyester, though this is also the authentic Slavic version of an Old Testament name that's being rediscovered.
  6. Ocean
    • Origin:

      English, nature name
    • Meaning:

      "ocean"
    • Description:

      Nature names like Ocean and River are flowing back into favor, especially with nature lovers and green-oriented parents. In 2024, it was given to 483 boys and 325 girls, making this a unisex favorite in the US, while in the UK, it is considerably more popular for girls.
  7. Adair
    • Origin:

      English and Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "shallow place in a river near oaks"
    • Description:

      This undiscovered unisex name has lots of flair. It was first noticed as a girl's name, starting in the 1980's, on the long-running daytime drama Search for Tomorrow, with the character Adair McCleary, who had ahead-of-their-time brothers named brothers Hogan, Cagney and Quinn. But since Adair has yet to find many takers, it would make a fresh and appealing choice.
  8. Hale
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "someone who lives in a hollow; strong and hearty"
    • Description:

      This name projects a sense of well-being, as in "hale and hearty", while also having a nature-adjacent meaning, referring to someone who lives near a hollow, a nook, or a remote area of land. Rhyming word hail adds a hint of storminess to the name too.
  9. Ripley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "strip of clearing in the woods"
    • Description:

      The "Believe It or Not" jokes will get old fast, but this surname feels fun and on-trend for both girls and boys, reminiscent of Riley, Tripp, Bridger, and Oakley.
  10. Dia
    • Origin:

      Mbama, Sanskrit, Latin, and Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "love; lamp; heavenly; day"
    • Description:

      A sweet and simple multicultural choice which has several different meanings and origins.
  11. Sundance
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "sun dance"
    • Description:

      Long synonymous with the American outlaw Harry Longabaugh, aka The Sundance Kid, who got his nickname from the town of Sundance, Wyoming, where he was incarcerated as a teenager. The place name Sundance was taken from the sun dance ceremony practiced by local Native American tribes.
  12. Sy
    • Description:

      Sy is a short masculine name that can serve as a nickname for longer names like Simon, Seymour, or Sylvester, but also stands independently. It has multiple origins, including Hebrew, where it derives from 'Simon' meaning 'listener,' and Chinese, where the character '思' (Sī) means 'to think' or 'to reflect.' Simple and concise, Sy carries a friendly, approachable quality while maintaining a touch of uniqueness. In American culture, it gained some recognition through notable bearers like comedian Sy Feldman and cartoonist Sy Barry. While never among the most popular names, Sy maintains a steady presence particularly among Jewish communities and has seen occasional use throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
  13. Bow
    • Description:

      Bow is an uncommon masculine name with multiple potential origins. As an English word name, it connects to several meanings: the weapon for shooting arrows, symbolizing precision and skill; the decorative tied ribbon, representing presentation and celebration; or the front of a ship, suggesting forward movement and navigation. It may also derive from Asian origins, particularly Chinese, where it can relate to various characters depending on the tone. Bow is extremely rare as a given name, making it a highly distinctive choice. Its brevity and simple pronunciation give it a modern, minimalist appeal. The name's multiple associations with strength, movement, and artistry make it versatile despite its unconventional nature as a personal name.
  14. Max
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "greatest"
    • Description:

      If Sam can make it as a girl's name, why not Max? Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's eldest daughter Maxima goes by Max, but you could also use it as a short form for Maxine, Maximilienne or even Margaux.
  15. Lindsey
    • Origin:

      English surname meaning "Marshlands of Lincolnshire"
    • Meaning:

      "Marshlands of Lincolnshire"
    • Description:

      Lindsey is one of the few truly unisex names (rather than being a name that has changed genders). Over time the "ey" ending was usually reserved for women and the "ay" ending reserved for men, and that tradition has continued
  16. Helios
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "sun"
    • Description:

      The name of the young Greek sun god, brother to the moon goddess Selene, who rode across the sky each day in a chariot pulled by four horses.
  17. Alex
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alexandra or Alexis
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      One of the most evenly divided unisex names these days; strong and energetic, if overused, for both genders.
  18. Clarke
    • Origin:

      Variation of Clark
    • Description:

      A rising choice for girls that fits in with tailored surnames such as Sloane, Greer, and Blair.
  19. Alwyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh river name
    • Description:

      This Welsh river name has possibilities as a place name and nature name that is rare and uncommon.
  20. Holloway
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "hollow way, sunken path"
    • Description:

      Holloway is a habitational surname, meaning if this is a last name on your family tree, your ancestors once lived in an English town by the name. As a first name, it's relatively undiscovered — Holloway charted for the first time in 2020 and appeared again in 2021. It would work on a child of either sex, although the intuitive Holly nickname might keep the distribution skewed toward the feminine.