Character names that are Androgynous

  1. Shannon
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "old and wise"
    • Description:

      Irish place-name -- it's a river, a town, and an airport -- once popular but now supplanted by such newer immigrants as Saoirse and Seanan.
  2. Maxwell
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "great stream"
    • Description:

      Maxwell may be thought of as one of the classic Scottish names for boys, but two celebrities have recently used Maxwell for their daughters - Jessica Simpson bestowed it upon her daughter, Maxwell Drew, in 2012, followed by Lindsay Sloane's daughter, also born in 2012, named Maxwell Lue. Sixty-six parents chose Maxwell for their little girls in 2017, but that's compared with over 3000 baby boys named Maxwell, so while this name is used for babies of both genders, it's not truly a unisex name.
  3. Obsidian
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      This rarely used boys name is one of the few gem names for a boy. Obsidian is actually a type of volcanic glass, formed when lava cools very quickly. This ultra-cool name might spark a love of volcanoes and geology in a little boy.
  4. Arrow
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Words are not always easy to translate into baby names, but the implications of being straight and swift lend this one great potential as a name. It also has the popular o-sound ending, which brings it further into the realm of possibility. Rising rock star Aja Volkman pulled a gender switch when she named her daughter Arrow Eve.
  5. Dewey
    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Welsh Dewi, nickname of Dafydd
    • Meaning:

      "beloved"
    • Description:

      Not heard since the 1980s, Dewey shot into the Top 20 in 1898 thanks to the popularity of Spanish-American War naval hero Admiral George Dewey. Dewey has subtle links to his Welsh roots and relation to father name David . The name was borne by the fifth century St. Dewi, patron saint of Wales. Later references include the namesake of the library Dewey Decimal System, a Donald Duck nephew, the younger brother on Malcolm in the Middle and Lemony Snicket character Dewey Denouement. It has a strong but dewy feel and is appealing enough to be ripe for a modern revival.
  6. Winslet
    • Origin:

      English surname and place-name
    • Meaning:

      "Wynn's channel or stream"
    • Description:

      Winslet is one of a legion of surnames newly considered fair game as first names. The inspiration may be British star Kate, but she's not the only reason parents are attracted to Winslet, one of those British girl names that sounds at once classy and winning. Yet be warned that if you choose this, people will forever assume you are major fans of the actress. Other Win- beginning names up for new consideration: Winslow, Winston, Wynton, Winifred and Winnie, along with just plain Win or Wyn or Wynn.
  7. Quill
    • Origin:

      Irish, diminutive of Quillan or Quiller; also English word name
    • Meaning:

      "lion, scribe, writer with a quill pen"
    • Description:

      Quill is a unique possibility for the child of writers -- even if they do use computers rather than pens; could also serve as a rhyming tribute to an ancestor named Gil, Phil, or Bill (or Jill).
  8. Beryl
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "sea-green jewel"
    • Description:

      Dated British favorite that never caught on in this country, where Jade remains the green gem of choice. Interesting namesakes: British writer Beryl Bainbridge and British aviatrix Beryl Markham.
  9. Mauve
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "violet-colored"
    • Description:

      Mauve is an offbeat color name whose soft and sentimental Victorian spirit is conveyed by the name. One of the newer color names like Blue, Gray and Plum that are increasingly being used as novel middle names, Mauve has the added benefit of being similar to stylish Maeve and classic Maude.
  10. Fable
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Inventive name for the child of a writer.
  11. Pollux
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "crown"
    • Description:

      Castor's twin in the constellation Gemini. That final x makes this name modern and cool.
  12. Tanwyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "white fire"
    • Description:

      Tanwyn is a modern Welsh name that can work for either sex depending on the spelling -- wyn is the traditional boys' spelling, while wen as in Tanwen is the girls' version.

      Famous bearers include surfer Tanwyn Travers and the hero of a Victorian Welsh legend titled Envy Burns Itself.

  13. Thorn
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "prickle"
    • Description:

      Rose and Briar are popular, and Hawthorn is cool – so why not the equally prickly Thorn? Add an E to give it a surnamey spin.
  14. Hunter
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "one who hunts"
    • Description:

      This surname gained momentum in the 1990s, when it was particularly in vogue for males. However, it seems to be experiencing a surge for females—it was one of the fastest-rising names of 2013, jumping 266 spots back into the Top 1000.
  15. Pendragon
    • Origin:

      Literary name
    • Meaning:

      "head dragon, chief warrior"
    • Description:

      The epithet of the legendary king's father Uther in Arthurian legend, later also applied to King Arthur himself. It literally means "head dragon" or "dragon's head", but the name appears in medieval Welsh mythology with the figurative meaning of "chief warrior". A truly daring name for a boy, in every sense!
  16. Aska
    • Description:

      Aska is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Japanese, it can mean 'fragrance of the morning' or 'flying bird,' depending on the kanji characters used. In Nordic countries, particularly Iceland, Aska relates to 'ashes' or may connect to Norse mythology. The name also appears in some Slavic cultures. Aska's brevity and melodic quality make it appealing internationally, as it's easily pronounced across language boundaries. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it offers a distinctive option with cross-cultural significance. The name carries a certain ethereal quality, evoking natural elements whether interpreted through its Japanese associations with morning and birds or Norse connections to elemental forces.
  17. Loxley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "lynx glade"
    • Description:

      An English place and surname with a fierce natural meaning. Loxley is a village and river name from Yorkshire, England, famous for being the purported birthplace of Robin Hood. Loxley Chase was an extensive historic forest bordering Sherwood Forest in the Middle Ages.
  18. Crimson
    • Origin:

      English color name
    • Meaning:

      "rich deep red"
    • Description:

      Crimson is a rare unisex color name used more frequently among baby girls.
  19. Aquila
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "eagle"
    • Description:

      An evocative ancient word that's used as a first name in the New Testament, among other places. It's also the name of an eagle-shaped constellation.
  20. Sheridan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "searcher"
    • Description:

      Sheridan is one surname-name that hasn't come into style for either gender, though it was lightly used for boys around the turn of the 20th century and girls 100 years later. The name does have an attractive sound and an appealing meaning.

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