unisex names
- Angel
Origin:
Spanish and EnglishMeaning:
"angel, messenger"Description:
Angel is one of those names that has a very different trajectory for girls and boys. As a female name, it was most popular in the US from the 1970s until the turn of this century, almost breaking into the Top 100 at its peak in 2001 but then beginning a long slide down the list.
- Bo
Origin:
Norse nicknameMeaning:
"to live"Description:
This tiny but punchy name has multiple origins. It stands strong alone, but could be short for numerous names including Bonnie and Bodhi. In Mandarin Chinese, Bo means "wave".
- Loran
Description:
Loran is a versatile masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Latin 'Laurentius' meaning 'from Laurentum' or 'crowned with laurel,' or it might be an anglicized form of the Irish name Labhrán. The name also has connections to LORAN (Long Range Navigation), a radio navigation system. In some European contexts, it appears as a variant of Laurent or Lorenzo. Loran strikes a balance between familiar and distinctive, with a strong, straightforward sound. While never extremely common, it saw modest usage in the United States during the mid-20th century. The name carries connotations of strength and clarity, perhaps influenced by its navigational associations.
- Elia
Origin:
Italian variation of Elijah, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah is God"Description:
A multicultural appellation, found in Hebrew, Italian, and Zuni, this likable name made famous by director Elia Kazan's only problem is the feminine a ending. But then again, that never hurt Joshua.
- Blue
Origin:
Color nameDescription:
Blue suddenly came into the spotlight, as the unusual color name chosen by Beyonce and Jay-Z for their baby girl Blue Ivy. Blue is also a starbaby middle name du jour, used for both sexes in different spellings and forms, from John Travolta and Kelly Preston's Ella Bleu to Alicia Silverstone's Bear Blu. Dave 'The Edge' Evans named his daughter Blue Angel back in 1989.
- Lyndon
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"linden tree hill"Description:
An English surname-turned-first-name whose most famous bearer is former US president Lyndon B. Johnson. His appointment in 1963 caused a huge spike in use for his unusual name the following year, pushing it to its historical peak of #347 in 1964. However, the year after his exit from the Oval Office, it dropped back below the Top 1000.
- Devi
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"divine"Description:
This Hindu goddess name has a powerful heritage plus lively sound with a devilish edge. If you're enchanted by goddess names but want to set your little girl apart from all the Lunas and Athenas in the playground, consider Devi.
- Ryo
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"fact, reality, understand; distant; defy"Description:
A simple, importable Japanese name, that carries a multitude of meanings depending on which character is used to denote it. While most westerners pronounced it RY-o or REE-o, its real pronunciation is closer to REE-UH.
- London
Origin:
English place-nameMeaning:
"Capital city of England"Description:
The capital of England makes a solid and attractive twenty-first-century choice in the US where it is currently in the Top 1000. Given to nearly 1000 girls and 200 boys each year, it is a unisex option that has been in slow decline since its peak in 2013. Conjuring up images of Big Ben, red phone boxes, and the London Eye for some, but perhaps the rush hour commute and grey skies for others, London is far less popular in the UK and other English-speaking countries.
- Tamsyn
Origin:
English, CornishMeaning:
"twin"Description:
Alternative Cornish spelling of Tamsin, which derives from Thomasin or Thomasina.
- Truth
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"the state of being the case"Description:
True has become an accepted first and middle name; Truth makes an even stronger statement. And with nearly 150 baby boys named Truth in the US in the most recent year counted, as many as were named Ross, the word name is edging up on the Top 1000.
- Madigan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little dog"Description:
An unusual, energetic surname choice that would make a good Madison alternative. Madigan was a typical police detective series of the 1970s, starring Richard Widmark.
- Anniston
Origin:
English surname and American place nameMeaning:
"Anis' town; Annie's town"Description:
A name with plenty of celebrity glamor and contemporary flair, Anniston has a variety of origins. On one hand, it's a place name, deriving from a city in Alabama of the same name. Founded in the late 19th century by Samuel Noble and Daniel Tyler, it was named in honor of the latter's daughter-in-law, Annie Tyler.
- North
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
North's image and gender status was irrevocably changed when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their newborn daughter. But why not? West is firmly established as a name, Easton is coming up strong, and North has a nice solid sound as well -- certainly as appropriate for either gender. South, though, not so much.
- Kay
Origin:
English, diminutive of Katherine, GreekMeaning:
"pure"Description:
Kay, a cigarette-smoking, nightclubbing name of the 1930's, could be ready for a comeback along with cousins May/Mae and Ray/Rae.
- Day
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"day"Description:
A bright and optimistic middle name choice.
- Kim
Origin:
English diminutive of Kimberly; Vietnamese; Scandinavian diminutive of Joachima; Soviet nameDescription:
Kim was the coolest name... of the 1960s. Kim was popularized by actress Kim Novak, and its energy is still maintained by rapper Lil' Kim, but it holds lil' or no appeal for new babies. Parents who like Kim's short, sweet sound might look to a choice such as Sam, Lou, or Belle.
- Nicola
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"people of victory"Description:
Nicola may be more familiar as a female name in English-speaking countries, but it's a popular classic choice for Italian baby boys – currently just outside the Top 50 there. A historic bearer is Nicola Pisano, a renowned and influential thirteenth century sculptor.
- Every
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"being each individual or part of a group"Description:
All-inclusive word name.
- Langley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"long meadow"Description:
The name of a large Air Force base in the US, Langley is a surname style choice that may appeal to fans of Langston, Landon, and Oakley, but also Banner, Navy, and Cannon. Quietly used for boys in the 20th century, it has leaned slightly feminine since the 1990s after actress Mariel Hemmingway chose it for one of her daughters.
Introducing the Nameberry App
Find your perfect baby name together with our new mobile app.
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
Sign up to be notified when the app launches and to receive a discount on full access.