gender neutral names I personally like
- Ryn
Origin:
Variation of Rynn, EnglishMeaning:
"pure"Description:
A great middle name option to honor a Kathryn. Coco Rocha used it for her daughter Iley's middle name.
- Flannery
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of Flannghal"Description:
Flann variation that's most familiar as the name of writer Flannery O'Connor. It derives from the Irish surname Ó Flannghaile, meaning "descendant of Flannghal".
- Lakeland
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"lake district"Description:
Combining the sounds of Lake, Lachlan, and Landon, Lakeland is a surname-style name that could fit in with other contemporary names like Holland, Leland, Ryland, Camden, and Bristol. Given to just 12 boys in 2024, it could make a unique but familiar option for any gender.
- Cypress
Origin:
Botanical nameDescription:
Lovely entry into the tree name genre, joining Juniper, Maple, and Willow. Nearly 200 babies were named Cypress in the US last year, about 40 percent of them female.
- Yuri
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"lily"Description:
Most familiar to American ears as the Russian variation of George. Not recommended for a daughter.
- Mason
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"stoneworker"Description:
Mason is a supertrendy name for boys that's starting to cross over -- Kelsey Grammer used it for his daughter. Creative speller's delight.
- Coda
Description:
Coda is a masculine name with Italian musical origins, derived from the term meaning 'tail' or 'ending' in music notation, indicating the concluding passage of a piece. This contemporary name has gained modest attention among parents in creative fields, particularly musicians and composers. As a given name, Coda suggests finality, completion, or culmination—symbolizing the perfect finishing touch to a family. Its brief, two-syllable structure offers simplicity while remaining distinctive. The name carries artistic associations while maintaining an accessible sound pattern. Though still uncommon in mainstream usage, Coda appeals to parents seeking a modern, meaningful name with musical connections and a contemporary edge.
- Wade
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"at the river crossing"Description:
An established male name that might cross over to the girls' side -- though if it's a water name you're after, there are so many prettier choices.
- Thistle
Origin:
botanical nameDescription:
The thistle is the botanical emblem of Scotland and would make a good if unusual patriotic choice for people with Scottish heritage. One of the few flower names that could be worn by a boy with as much ease as a girl.
- Pax
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"peace"Description:
A cool name, representing the Roman goddess of peace and offering a positive message to bestow upon a child. Pax is one of the most stylish new names that mean peace.
- Clove
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"clove"Description:
Clove is a spice name that is a tad more piquant than Saffron or Cinnamon. It might get more attention now as a member of The Hunger Games family of names.
- Blaise
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"one who stutters"Description:
Despite its modern sound, Blaise has plenty of history as a given name (for boys), from a Christian martyr to Arthurian legends. Today Blaise feels like the cool and edgy Blaze with a French accent.
- Clarke
Origin:
Variation of ClarkDescription:
A rising choice for girls that fits in with tailored surnames such as Sloane, Greer, and Blair.
- Ace
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"one, unity"Description:
Ace is a retro nickname most often used for boys, as in Ace Ventura. While some celebrities have adopted it for their sons, there's nothing that makes this name exclusively male.
- Essa
Description:
Essa is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Arabic, it's a variation of Isa (the Arabic form of Jesus) and means 'God is salvation.' In Irish contexts, Essa derives from the Gaelic 'os' meaning 'deer' or possibly as a diminutive of Esther. In some South Asian cultures, particularly in Pakistan and India, Essa appears as both a feminine and masculine name. The name remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, making it a distinctive choice. Its brevity and melodic quality with soft consonants give it an appealing, gentle sound while maintaining a unique character. Essa has seen modest usage in recent decades without becoming mainstream, appealing to parents seeking a simple yet uncommon name with multicultural resonance.
- Shelley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"clearing on a bank"Description:
The Shirley of the 1950s. Shelley Winters was born a Shirley.
- Callaway
Origin:
English from LatinMeaning:
"pebbly place"Description:
A surname-style choice with jazzy ties to Cab Calloway and a more sporty association leant to it by a golfing company, Callaway has seen moderate gains in the US since the 2000s. In a recent year, 67 boys (and 58 girls) received the name, while alternative spelling Calloway was given to 87 boys (and 22 girls).
- Rayne
Origin:
Variation of Rain or Raine, nature nameMeaning:
"queen"Description:
Rayne may be considered a modern respelling of the nature name Rain or a variation of the surname Raine, which comes from the Old French word reine, meaning "queen."
- Thistle
Origin:
English flower nameMeaning:
"to prick"Description:
Quirky and charming flower name. Thistle is Scotland's national symbol.
- Eiden
Origin:
GaelicMeaning:
"little fire"Description:
One of many Aidan variations — all stemming from the original Gaelic Aodhán — Eiden was the third fastest-rising boy name of 2023 and a new entry to the US Top 1000. Interestingly, despite this spelling's current success, Aidan, Aiden, Ayden, and Aden are all on the downswing.
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