Masculine leaning neutral non-binary names
- Shaun
Origin:
Spelling variation of SeanDescription:
Shaun is the least popular spelling of the once-wildly popular name, more usually spelled Sean or Shawn. Parents who have a reason to choose this name now would (and should) most likely go with the original Sean. Alternate spelling Shawn is four times more popular.
Shaun (and Shawn) were considered the feminized spelling of the name back when it was becoming a unisex name in the early 1970s. In all spellings, Sean has become once again decidedly masculine.
- Braydon
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wide valley"Description:
Like its cousin Braden, Braydon has been falling in popularity in recent years, perhaps signaling a weakening of the 'aden'-name epidemic. There are thousands of young Bradens and Braydons out there, including the son of Melissa Joan Hart.
- Braylen
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Brayden meets Jalen to make Braylen, another entry in this trendy group of names.
- Rey
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"king"Description:
Sounds exactly like Ray—but with an on-trend royal vibe. The central protagonist in the newest Star Wars trilogy is a woman named Rey.
- Dayton
Origin:
English, variation of DeightonMeaning:
"place with a dike"Description:
If Dayton, like Trenton and Camden, is finding favor with parents, it's more because of its popular two-syllable surname feel and -on ending than the industrial city in Ohio.
- Korbin
Origin:
Spelling variation of Corbin, Latin "Crow"Meaning:
"Crow"Description:
We all know K is a very trendy letter right now, but what was wrong with Corbin?
- Kody
Origin:
Spelling variation of CodyDescription:
Both Kody and Cody — shining stars of the 90s — are in decline, although more people are choosing Cody than Kody.
- Haiden
Origin:
Spelling variation of HaydenDescription:
This play on Hayden is likely influenced by the popularity of the Aiden names. It has appeared in the US Top 1000 for eight of the past twelve years.
- Jamison
Description:
A variation of Jameson. Both names have climbed in popularity in recent years, though Jameson remains the preferred spelling.
- Boston
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Unseen in the USA since 1901, Boston rocketed back into the Top 1000 in 2004 and, like other place-names such as Brooklyn, London and Paris, is now a reliable presence on the list.
- Devan
Description:
Devan is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins, making it an interesting cross-cultural choice. In Sanskrit, it derives from "deva" meaning "divine" or "god," while in Irish it's a variant of Devon, originally a place name referring to the county in England. The name has gained moderate popularity in the United States since the 1980s as parents sought modern-sounding alternatives to traditional names. Devan has a contemporary feel while maintaining a connection to ancient traditions. It's sometimes used for girls as well, though less commonly. The name conveys strength and uniqueness without being too unconventional, balancing modern appeal with subtle cultural depth.
- Camron
Origin:
Spelling variation of Cameron, ScottishMeaning:
"crooked nose"Description:
With the increasing popularity of Cameron, we've seen more and more creative spellings—including this one, which may be influenced by rapper Cam'ron. It rose up the US charts during the 90s, however it fell out of favor in 2017. Given to around 80 boys in a recent year, it is far less popular than the classic Cameron — in fact, for every one boy named Camron, there are 66 called Cameron.
- Tristen
Description:
Variation of Tristan.
- Alijah
Origin:
Spelling variation of Elijah, HebrewMeaning:
"Yahweh is God"Description:
Elijah is in the US Top 10 and is popular across New Zealand, The Netherlands, and The UK. Spelling variation Alijah however only appears in the US charts, where it has ranked in the Top 1000 since 2001. Given to 700 boys in a recent year, for every one baby Alijah, there are 16 Elijahs.
- Carsen
Description:
Carsen is a modern unisex name that leans slightly masculine in usage. It represents a contemporary spelling variation of Carson, which originated as an English and Scottish surname derived from 'carr' meaning 'marsh' or 'wetland' and 'son,' literally 'son of the marsh-dweller.' The name gained popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, part of the trend toward using surnames as first names. The variation with 'e' instead of 'o' gives it a softer, slightly more modern feel. Carsen projects a strong yet approachable image, balancing traditional roots with contemporary style. It has been moderately popular in North America but rarely reaches the top rankings, appealing to parents seeking something recognizable yet not overly common. The name works well professionally while still feeling youthful.
- Deandre
Origin:
Modern invented nameMeaning:
"son of Andre"Description:
A popular choice amongst the African American naming community in the 90s, Deandre has been falling out of style in favor of more contemporary choices.
- Tristin
Origin:
Spelling variation of TristanDescription:
Flailing attempt to switch up popular Tristan.
- Semaj
Origin:
Variation of James, English from HebrewMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Popular enough in the Indian community to have made it onto the US Top 1000 every year from 2001 to 2014 and now again in 2023, possibly inspired by Jamaican activist Leachim Semaj (born Michael James).
- Camdyn
Origin:
Spelling variation of CamdenDescription:
Less popular than Camden by a lot and Kamdyn by a little. The prominent trend of substituting other vowels with a y continues to propel new spellings of names up the popularity list, which was the case when Camdyn made its first appearance on the US Top 1000 in 2010.
- Jakobe
Origin:
Spelling variation of JacobDescription:
Jacob meets Jakob meets Kobe -- and apparently, parents in 2013 are fans. It rose 153 spots to break into the Top 1000, making it one of the year's fastest-rising names.