Cool Unique Unisex Names
- Sequoia
Description:
Sequoia is a masculine name derived from the name of the massive redwood trees native to California, which were themselves named after Sequoyah (c.1770-1843), the Cherokee silversmith who created a syllabary for the Cherokee language. As a given name, Sequoia evokes qualities of strength, longevity, and natural majesty—sequoia trees are among the largest and longest-living organisms on Earth. This name has gained modest popularity in the United States since the late 20th century as part of the trend toward nature-inspired names. While still uncommon, Sequoia appeals to parents seeking a distinctive name with Native American connections and powerful natural symbolism. Though listed here as masculine, it's worth noting that Sequoia is used for children of all genders.
- Wallis
Origin:
Variation of WallaceMeaning:
"a Welshman, Celt"Description:
Famously borne by the woman (born Bessie) for whom an English king sacrificed his throne, Wallis has the force of a masculine name, but the unisex charm of surnames like Ellis and Hollis.
- Noble
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"aristocratic"Description:
Modern parents tend to reject Puritan names, but Noble was a Puritan favorite worth revival. Integrity and generosity are attractive qualities in anyone, so it's apparent why parents are starting to notice Noble once again, along with other virtue names like Wisdom and Loyal.
- Viper
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"snake"Description:
As cool as it is frightening.
- Peace
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"peace"Description:
Peace may be an admirable sentiment to convey in a child's name, but the translated and thus more subtle versions, like Pax or Placido, might work better as first names.
- Kazumi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"beautiful peace"Description:
Kazumi can be used both as a masculine and feminine name. It is related to names like Kazuko, Kazuo and Kazuki.
- Nike
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"victory"Description:
Cool goddess name, but you might need to brace yourself for lots of sneaker jokes, depending on where you live.
- Epic
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Epic feels like it could be the boys' version of Saga. Epic poetry tells some of our most celebrated stories - from Beowulf and the Odyssey, to the Divine Comedy and Paradise Lost. Despite being short, Epic is a lot of name, so it might be a choice for an adventurous middle name.
- Lakota
Origin:
Native American, SiouxMeaning:
"friend to us"Description:
The name of one of the branches of the Great Sioux Nation has a very namelike sound, but is not used as a name by the Lakota people themselves, and could be seen as appropriative.
- Nairobi
Origin:
African place nameDescription:
The capital of Kenya makes a melodic and worldly name.
- Johari
Origin:
Arabic and Swahili from PersianMeaning:
"jewel"Description:
Johari is derived from the Arabic word jawhar, which evolved from the Persian word gouhar, both referring to gemstones.
- Naz
Origin:
Variation of Nazir, ArabicMeaning:
"similar"Description:
Naz is occasionally used as-is on the birth certificate, but you're more likely to encounter it as a nickname for Nazir or Nazareth.
- Averill
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"boar battle"Description:
Averill is an ancient name, most properly spelled Averil, that has a Boston Brahmin air – probably due to the image of statesman Averill Harriman. It's of the rare English surname names that originally derived from a female given name: Eoforhild (Everild), meaning "boar battle".
- Katriel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my crown is God"Description:
An unusual name which feels familiar, thanks to its similarity to other names containing the Hebrew element el "God", like Daniel and Gabriel. It was originally a masculine name, but is now used for both sexes.
- Alaska
Origin:
Native American place nameMeaning:
"great land"Description:
Alaska is a state name that's gaining a following, along with Montana and Dakota. While it was used exclusively for girls in the 2020 US name statistics, there's no reason it can't work just as well for boys.
- Asani
Origin:
SwahiliMeaning:
"rebellious"Description:
Americans use Asani for their sons and daughters, but it originated as a Swahili masculine given name. With its bold meaning and popular -i ending, it was one of the fastest rising gender-neutral names in 2023, given to exactly the same number of girls and boys.
- Tenzin
Origin:
TibetianMeaning:
"Holder of the teaching"Description:
Tenzin (sometimes also written as Tenzing or Stanzin) is a unisex Tibetan name which is one of the given names of the current Dalai Lama, Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso.
- Cahya
Origin:
Indonesian, Javanese, SanskritMeaning:
"light"Description:
A zippy name of Sanskrit origin, Cahya is a unisex name used in Indonesia, particularly on the Island of Java. Derived from the element chāyā meaning "light, reflection, shadow", in Indonesian, it usually interpreted as meaning "light". Alternative forms include Cahaya, Cahyo, Cahyani, and Cahyono.
- Kamari
Origin:
Variation of Kamaria and Qamar, Arabic, SwahiliMeaning:
"moonlight"Description:
A unisex name with an appealing and nature inspired meaning, Kamari is currently more popular for boys in the US, though it is climbing the charts for girls too, after in entered the Top 1000 in 2019. Derived from the Arabic Qamar meaning "moon", it also appears as Kamaria is Swahili and Comorian.
- Kehinde
Origin:
YorubaMeaning:
"second-born of twins or one who falls behind"Description:
This African name, which derives from the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, is used for both girls and boys -- but in the US, its most notable bearer is (male) artist Kehinde Wiley. Wiley, who paints brown- and black-skinned people in the style of European Old Masters, was born in Los Angeles of an African-American mother and a Yoruba father and was also a twin, thus his name. An attractive and creative choice for either gender.