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Traditionally Feminine Names for Boys

sherbie60
By sherbie60
Updated Thu May 25 2023
Unisex naming is the future, from Cameron Diaz to Taylor Swift. But as blogger and writer Lindsay Kay-Miller stated in 'Role Reboot', "No one thinks it's quirky and charming if you name your son Clara." So here are some feminine names that do have that quirky charm, even for boys.
  1. Wren

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "small bird"

    • Description:

      Wren may not be as time-honored a bird name choice as Robin or even Lark, but it's more fashionable and fresh, with a gentle and earthy vibe.
  2. Quinn

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Conn, chief leader, intelligence"

    • Description:

      Quinn is an engaging Celtic surname that is still on the rise for girls but beginning to flag for boys. As a female name, Quinn is in the Top 100, used for over 3000 baby girls last year, but toward the bottom of the Top 500 for boys, given to 700 baby boys.
  3. Darcy

    • Origin:

      English from French, d'Arcy

    • Meaning:

      " from Arcy"

    • Description:

      Though Darcy is the ultimate Jane Austen hero name, it is rarely used for boys today though it's on the upswing for girls. A shame as it's a handsome, roguish kind of appellation that combines elements of French flair, aristocratic savoir faire, and a soft Irish brogue. And in terms of image, it's one of the quintessential English names for boys.
  4. Evelyn

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "desired; or water, island"

    • Description:

      Renowned English author Evelyn Waugh pronounced his name "EEV-lin" (fun fact: his first wife, also named Evelyn, was referred to as "She-velyn"). But "EV-uh-lin" also works, and is probably the most familiar pronunciation of the name today.
  5. Sasha

    • Origin:

      Russian diminutive of Alexander

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      The energetic Russian nickname name Sasha is being used increasingly on its own, though since the prominence of the First Daughter, more than 90% of the American babies named Sasha are girls. Sacha Baron Cohen bears one of the alternate spellings.
  6. Harper

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "harp player"

    • Description:

      Harper got its start as a celebrity baby name when Paul Simon chose it for his now-grown son. Since then, other famous parents have followed suit: musician Tim Finn and actor Cecilia Peck both have sons called Harper.
  7. Angel

    • Origin:

      Spanish and English

    • Meaning:

      "angel, messenger"

    • Description:

      As a boys' name, Angel has two distinct name personalities. One is as a perennial favorite Hispanic boys’ name, popular in the US along with Spain, Mexico, and South America.
  8. Ariel

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "lion of God"

    • Description:

      Despite its distinguished pedigree and popularity in Israel, Disney's Little Mermaid cartoonized Ariel in the US, at least in some people's minds. But it was used for a male character in Shakespeare's The Tempest centuries ago.
  9. Sorrel

    • Origin:

      Botanical name and French

    • Meaning:

      "reddish brown"

    • Description:

      Sorrel is a gentle, amber-hued herbal and autumnal name that's used most often to describe the color of a horse. Sorrell is a variant spelling. Both make excellent names for autumn babies and can be used for either gender.
  10. Piper

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "one who plays the pipes or flute"

    • Description:

      Piper's rising popularity for girls makes it an unlikely masculine choice.
  11. Rae

    • Description:

      Rae as a masculine name has Scottish and Hebrew origins. It derives from the Scottish surname Rae, meaning "grace" or "deer," or it may be a shortened form of Raymond, meaning "wise protector." In Hebrew contexts, it could be related to the word "ra'eh" meaning "friend" or "companion." Though more commonly used for girls in recent decades, Rae has a history as a male name, particularly as a middle name or nickname. Its single-syllable simplicity gives it a strong, straightforward quality appreciated by parents looking for a minimalist name option. The name carries a gentle yet masculine energy and works well in combination with longer first names. As a standalone male name, Rae remains relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality.

  12. Vivian

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "life"

    • Description:

      Deriving from the Roman cognomen Vivianus, Vivian was originally a masculine name, with Vivien being a feminine soundalike coined by Alfred Lord Tennyson for the Lady of the Lake in his famous poetic adaptation of the legend of King Arthur. It has since become a much more popular choice for girls in the US, but retains a refined British charm which sees it cropping up occasionally for boys in the Telegraph birth announcements.
  13. Clare

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Clarence

    • Description:

      Nowadays, Clare tends to be viewed as a feminine name, but this is a short and sweet Irish-flavored name that could work just as well on a boy. Noted male bearers of the name Clare include Canadian ice hockey legend Clare Drake, US cartoonist Clare Briggs, and Grammy winning musician Clare Fischer.
  14. Lynn

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "lake"

    • Description:

      Long gone to the girls.
  15. Honor
    • Hazel
      • Mae
        • Nova
          • Audrey
            • Madeline