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Unusual Gender-Neutral Names

writer.needs.names
By writer.needs.names
Updated Thu May 18 2023
Just a collection of odd, beautiful, and unusual gender-neutral or unisex names that you probably haven't heard before.
  1. Everett

    • Origin:

      English variation of the German Eberhard

    • Meaning:

      "brave as a wild boar"

    • Description:

      Everett is a preppy but outdoorsy name, with wintery New England vibes. In the last decade, it’s had a leap in popularity, perhaps because of its similarity to trendy girls’ names like Ava and Scarlett, or perhaps because it offers a fresh alternative to 90’s style Evan and Brett.
  2. Ezra

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "help"

    • Description:

      Ezra has a lot going for it: the strength of its heroic Biblical legacy, its quirky sound, and its fresh but familiar feel. Ezra is now at its highest point ever, but its intuitive streamlined spelling and deep roots could make it a worth successor to Elijah in the Top 10 -- or even to Liam or Noah at Number 1.
  3. Romy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Rosemary, Roma, Romana, Romilly etc.

    • Description:

      Austrian actress Romy Schneider seemed to be the singular bearer of this international nickname name until it found new style currency in the past decade, entering the US Top 1000 for the first time ever in 2024.
  4. Zephyr

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "west wind"

    • Description:

      If you're looking for a name that's light and breezy, this could be it. A name from mythology: Zephyrus/Zephyr was the Greek god of the west wind, and with its similarity in sound to the likes of Stefan or Seth, its zippy Z initial and cool Y, it is primed to rise up the US charts.
  5. Ren

    • Origin:

      Japanese, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "water lily, lotus, romantic love, move forward; reborn"

    • Description:

      A very popular unisex name in Japan, Ren is a concise and versatile choice that could work across multiple languages. A rising star in England and Wales where it ranks in the Top 1000, it is also on the rise in the US where it was give to nearly 90 girls and 200 boys in a recent year.
  6. Romy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Roman et al

    • Meaning:

      "citizen of Rome"

    • Description:

      Best known as a feminine diminutive, Romy is used now for boys too; has a lot of energy and bounce. Can be a short form of Roman or Romeo or a name in its own right. Remy is another related choice, or you might want to go all the way to Romulus.
  7. Ezra

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "help"

    • Description:

      Ezra is a biblical favorite for boys that's been making inroads into the girls' Top 1000 since 2018 and it's easy to see why. With its soft sounds and -a ending, it holds the same appeal as Noa, Sasha, Micah, and Luka do: short, sweet, and solid. 2024 saw Ezra climb 61 places up the US charts, placing it just outside the Top 700.
  8. Romilly

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "citizen of Rome"

    • Description:

      Originally a surname deriving from the Roman twin Romulus, this attractive name was introduced to the English-speaking world as a first name by painter Augustus John who used it for his son. Romilly John became Admiral of the Fleet in England.
  9. Kyler

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "victory of the people"

    • Description:

      Kyler was once a creative solution for 90s parents who enjoyed the sounds of Kyle and Tyler but didn't want to use anything so popular. Now a well-established name on the US charts, it is given to more than 1000 babies every year.
  10. Corin

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "spear"

    • Description:

      Corin was used by Shakespeare in As You Like It, an unusual name that could make a more distinctive alternative to Corey or Colin. It is a name used in the illustrious Redgrave family of actors.
  11. Auberon

    • Origin:

      English, French, German

    • Meaning:

      "elf ruler, bright elf; noble bear"

    • Description:

      Rarely heard in the US, Auberon has a gentle autumnal feel rare in a male name. A Shakespeare-adjacent choice, Auberon started out as as a pet form of Auberi, the French form of German Alberich.
  12. Alva

    • Origin:

      English form of Irish Ailbhe, Swedish and Norwegian feminine form of Alf

    • Meaning:

      "white; elf"

    • Description:

      While the male Alva or Alvah relates directly to the minor Biblical character, the female version is more likely an Anglicized form of the Irish name Ailbhe, or a feminine form the name Alf (and Alf- beginning names), popular in its native Sweden and Norway. Best known as Thomas Edison's middle name, Alva has true unisex roots.
  13. Zephyr

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "west wind"

    • Description:

      Zephyrus was the Greek god of the west wind, and all names associated with him have a pleasantly gentle, breezy feel. With its cool Z initial and similarity in sound to Stephie and Serafina, Zephyr has been rising up the US charts in recent years as a unisex name.
  14. Arin

    • Description:

      Arin is a versatile name used for both boys and girls, though more commonly masculine in many traditions. It has multiple origins, including Hebrew roots where it means 'enlightened,' Turkish origins where it signifies 'pure,' and possible Celtic connections where it may relate to 'Ireland.' This multicultural name has grown in usage since the late 20th century but remains relatively uncommon. The name's simplicity and soft sound give it contemporary appeal while its diverse cultural connections provide depth and meaning. Arin works well cross-culturally and offers a more distinctive alternative to popular names like Aaron or Erin. The name's brevity and straightforward pronunciation make it practical while its international character gives it a cosmopolitan quality.

  15. Halcyon

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "kingfisher bird"

    • Description:

      Heaven, Peace, Serenity: parents seem especially attracted to word names that signal paradise, but Halcyon sounds quite feminine, and might conjure up the sleeping pill Halcion.
  16. Everett

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "brave boar"

    • Description:

      Everett is a male name that's a prime crossover candidate, much like Eliot, Ellis, and Ellery.
  17. Ellington

    • Origin:

      English place-name and surname

    • Meaning:

      "Ellis's town"

    • Description:

      Ellington is a swinging musical name, evoking the jazzy and elegant persona of the Duke (born Edward Kennedy Ellington). While that reference may seem to make Ellington a male name, it is also occasionally used for girls.
  18. Ren

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "water lily, lotus"

    • Description:

      In Japan the lotus is the Buddhist symbol of purity and perfection. In the US, Ren can also be short for Lauren or Renee, but it could be misspelt as the more popular Wren.
  19. Alva

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "his highness"

    • Description:

      Edison's middle name is a fabulous option for parents looking for something with history and a soft sound. This could be the name you're looking for if you like Tesla's scientific pedigree but think that it has become too corporate with the advent of Elon Musk's company.
  20. Corin

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "spear"

    • Description:

      Corin is a Shakespearean male name that could easily be adapted for a girl, making a strong update for Corinne or Karen.