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Favorite Unisex Names

  1. Abbott

    • Origin:

      Aramaic, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "father"

    • Description:

      This traditionally male surname name could find new life for girls thanks to its similarity to the popular Abby and Abigail.
  2. Ainsley

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "solitary meadow"

    • Description:

      This name will tick a lot of boxes for many parents: unisex; trendy sound; pretty instinctive to pronounce; and some great namesakes including British chef Ainsley Harriott and American footballer Ainsley Battles.
  3. Alexi

    • Description:

      Alexi is a masculine name with Greek origins, functioning as a diminutive or variant of Alexander, which means 'defender of the people.' This name is used in various cultures, including Greek, Russian, and Finnish traditions, though spelling variations exist (such as Alexei in Russian). Alexi has a cosmopolitan, international appeal that works well across cultural boundaries. The name carries a sophisticated yet approachable quality, balancing strength with a certain artistic flair. In the United States, Alexi has maintained modest but consistent usage, appealing to parents seeking a recognizable name that isn't overly common. Its connection to the widely popular Alexander gives it historical depth while its shorter form offers a more distinctive, contemporary sound.

  4. 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.
  5. Arbor

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      Arbor is an original unisex tree-related choice we're sure to hear more of. Highly unusual now, Arbor takes its place alongside other new arborial names ranging from the mighty Oak (or Oakley) to the more delicate Birch to the more flowery Juniper, Acacia, and Hazel.
  6. Artemis

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "safe or butcher"

    • Description:

      Artemis, one of the key figures of the female Greek pantheon, is the ancient virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, animals, childbirth, and a protector of young girls, later associated with the moon. Artemis is the equivalent to the Roman Diana, but a fresher and more distinctive, if offbeat, choice.
  7. Asher

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "fortunate, blessed, happy one"

    • Description:

      Asher—an excellent, soft and sensitive Old Testament choice—is a baby boy name on the rise, and is a Nameberry biblical favorite.
  8. Auburn

    • Origin:

      Color name

    • Meaning:

      "deep reddish-brown"

    • Description:

      A strong, warm name and a strong warm color. Would make an excellent alternative to August or Aubrey.
  9. Auden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "old friend"

    • Description:

      The poetic, soft-spoken Auden has recently started to be considered as a first name option, used for both sexes, appreciated for its pleasing sound as well as its link to the distinguished modern Anglo-American poet W.H. Auden.
  10. August

    • Origin:

      German form of Latin Augustus

    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"

    • Description:

      The name August is at its highest point since the 1890s, when it ranked among the Top 100 boy names in the US. And deservedly so, given its great meaning, historic roots, and cool nicknames.
  11. Bailey

    • Origin:

      Occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "law enforcer, bailiff"

    • Description:

      Bailey -- a jaunty surname -- was first used for a female TV character in 1978 in the show WKRP in Cincinnaati, then caught on big time. Bailey's still an appealing choice, though, and a celebrity fave. Parents of daughters named Bailey include Scot Baio and Stella McCartney.
  12. Bayou

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      A slow and sultry southern choice that's definitely cool for babies of either gender.
  13. Blair

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "dweller on the plain"

    • Description:

      One of the first generation of cool surname names, now largely used for girls in the US, but still popular for boys in its native Scotland. A prominent association for Brits is former prime minister Tony Blair, who was leader at the time of the Iraq War.
  14. Brady

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "broad meadow or large-chested"

    • Description:

      The Irish name given to Miranda Hobbes's son on the dearly departed Sex and the City is a friendly and energetic choice. You well might want to make your son part of the Brady bunch.
  15. Byrd

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "bird"

    • Description:

      One of the rare cases where spelling a name with a y makes it less rather than more feminine. Birdie might be the freshest choice in this aviary.
  16. Cairo

    • Origin:

      Egyptian place-name, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "the conqueror, the victorious"

    • Description:

      Cairo is an exciting place name possibility with upbeat o ending and an on-trend first syllable. Debuting in the US Top 1000 in 2015, it has been climbing ever since, and, as of 2023, it is given to more than 1000 babies each year.
  17. Clancy

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "red-haired warrior"

    • Description:

      Clancy, one of the original crossover Irish surname names, is as energetic and appealing as ever — full of moxie, more distinctive than Casey, and also one of the less obvious of the red-headed names.
  18. Columba

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "dove"

    • Description:

      Columba is an early saint's name that rhumbas to a modern beat. While the original St. Columba is male, the name sounds more appropriate for a girl in the modern world. Leave variations Colm and Callum for the boys.
  19. 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.
  20. Destry

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "war horse"

    • Description:

      Destry rides again, this time as a Western flavored baby name. Derived from the French surname Destrier, from an Anglo-Norman word meaning "warhorse", this rugged name was popularized by the 1930 novel Destry Rides Again by Max Brand, subsequently adapted for the big screen.
  21. Dexter

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "right-handed, skillful"

    • Description:

      Dexter turned ultracool for a girl when Diane Keaton named her daughter Dexter Dean. Dexter is getting a new style gloss for both genders thanks to (unlikely) baby name role model, television's Dexter the genial serial killer.
  22. Dune

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "sand hill"

    • Description:

      Dune is a name of several layers. It's a modern nature name, like Ocean, Bay and Reef, although rarer, conjuring up images of breezy sand dunes on summer beach days.
  23. Dusty

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      Dusty first became popular as a girl's name thanks to singer Dusty Springfield - born Mary. She used her childhood nickname professionally, and many parents embraced Dusty as a name for their daughters, especially in the 1970s.
  24. Ember

    • Origin:

      French variation of Amber

    • Description:

      Unlike Amber, which is in decline, this name still has a bit of a glow left -- though confusions between the two will inevitably arise.
  25. Erie

    • Description:

      Erie is an uncommon feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from the Erie Native American tribe and the Great Lake named after them, giving it a natural, geographical connection. The name could also relate to the Old English 'eerie,' meaning fearful or mysterious, though this association is less common. As a given name, Erie has remained quite rare throughout history, never achieving widespread popularity. It offers a concise, distinctive option for parents seeking a name with natural connections that's easy to spell and pronounce. The name's brevity and open 'e' ending give it a light, airy quality that feels both distinctive and unpretentious.

  26. Ever

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "always, constantly, eternally"

    • Description:

      Similar in sound to Evan and Everett, Ever is an evocative word name that's currently on the rise. Used by Alanis Morissette and Souleye back in 2010, Ever was given to more than 200 boys in 2023, compared to 125 girls.
  27. 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.
  28. Everly

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "wild boar in woodland clearing"

    • Description:

      Evokes 1960s brotherly close harmony. The Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis named his son Everly Bear, and it is also an explosively popular choice for girls. We predict that all the "Ever" names will be one of the defining trends of the 2010s-20s.
  29. 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.
  30. Fable

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Inventive name for the child of a writer.
  31. Fallon

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "leader"

    • Description:

      Fallon is one of several boyish surname names introduced in the over-the-top 1980s nighttime soap Dynasty: they sounded cutting-edge at the time, but no longer.
  32. Fifer

    • Origin:

      Scottish occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "piper"

    • Description:

      This musical choice fits right in with all the new hard-working Millers and Gardeners. It's also a Scottish demonym, referring to an inhabitant of the historic Scottish county of Fife.
  33. 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.
  34. Hartley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "stag meadow"

    • Description:

      Smart and sharp but with a touch of heart and charm, Hartley is a surname style name that could work as an alternative to Harley, Harvey, Artie, or Harry. Quietly used as a masculine name throughout the 20th century, the arrival of two celebrity-baby girl Hartleys in 2010 has meant the name has been used as a predominantly feminine one in recent years. However, since 2020, Hartley has doubled in use for boys too, and was give to a modest 30 in 2023. .
  35. Hayden

    • Origin:

      English place name

    • Meaning:

      "hay hill; hay valley"

    • Description:

      A newly successful name for girls, which, like Brayden and Caden, used to be strictly for the boys. Young Heroes and now Nashville star Hayden Panettiere planted it in the girls' camp.
  36. Hermes

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "cairn, pile of stones, boundary marker"

    • Description:

      These days, some may think of Hermes as an upscale brand name like Chanel and Porsche, or a strange choice thanks to the parcel delivery company. However, with names from Greek mythology very much in style, it is possible there will be plenty who link it to the Green messenger god.
  37. Hero

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "demi-god"

    • Description:

      Despite the possibility of gender confusion, the Hero in Greek myth was a woman. Myleene Klass got that when she chose Hero for her daughter, and Sam Taylor-Wood and Aaron Johnson used it as their daughter's middle--and we wouldn't be surprised to see more girls with this heroic name.
  38. Hero

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "demi-god"

    • Description:

      Though the mythological Hero was female, this name might prove too big a responsibility for a little guy to shoulder.
  39. Jude

    • Origin:

      Latin diminutive of Judah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "praised"

    • Description:

      Jude is a modern star, maintaining a steady level of popularity -- but not TOO much popularity, in the US at least. Thank Jude Law and the great Lennon-McCartney song "Hey Jude", double-handedly responsible for propelling Jude up the charts.
  40. Keelin

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "slender and fair"

    • Description:

      Keelin is a form of Keelan, the Anglicized phonetic form of Caelan or Caoilinn, said to be a unisex name but in practice used almost exclusively for boys. Girls would more often be called Keela, Keeley, or Keely.
  41. Kennedy

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "misshapen head"

    • Description:

      This attractive surname name still projects that Kennedy family charisma. While it didn't come into widespread use until long after the deaths of martyred heroes President John F. or Senator Robert Kennedy, Kennedy is now one of the most popular unisex names, particularly for girls. This is one name that manages to sound trendy and traditional at the same time.
  42. Lee

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "pasture, meadow"

    • Description:

      The original brief, breezy name is somewhat out of favor now even as a middle name. The Leigh spelling has more substance and is more identifiable as female.
  43. Leighton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "meadow town"

    • Description:

      One of those names that's suddenly on the map because of a celebrity's influence, Leighton Meester of the TV show Gossip Girl. She pronounces it LAY-ton but some will intuitively say LEE-ton.
  44. Lou

    • Origin:

      Short form of Louise

    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      Lou is usually a short form of Louise, Louisa, or Lucy in English-speaking countries, when Lou is used for girls at all. But in France and Germany, it's a fashionable choice all on its own, sure to gain even more widespread style credibility since Heidi Klum and Seal chose it for their daughter.
  45. Luce

    • Description:

      Luce is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from 'lux' meaning 'light.' Used primarily in French and Italian cultures, Luce functions as either a standalone name or as a shortened form of Lucille, Lucia, or Lucienne. In France, it has maintained steady but modest popularity for centuries, appreciated for its elegance and simplicity. The name carries positive associations with illumination, clarity, and brightness, reflecting its etymological connection to light. In English-speaking countries, Luce remains uncommon but recognizable, offering a sophisticated European alternative to more familiar light-themed names like Lucy or Claire. Its brevity and soft sound give it a subtle charm, while its meaning provides rich symbolic significance. Luce balances traditional roots with a contemporary minimalist appeal.
  46. Lynx

    • Origin:

      Animal name

    • Description:

      One of the fierce new animal names new to name lists, helped by its strong x-ending.
  47. Mackenzie

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Kenneth"

    • Description:

      This lively Scottish surname is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Coinnich, Coinnich being one of the original Gaelic forms of Kenneth.
  48. March

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "month name"

    • Description:

      March has never been popular as a month name, possibly because of its slightly abrupt sound. But with all kinds of month (and season, day, and holiday) names, from January to December, Sunday to Easter, Winter to Midnight, coming to the fore, March is beginning to seem eminently baby-ready.
  49. Marlow

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "driftwood"

    • Description:

      An old English surname name that sounds just like the invented Marlo. Though the final w places it among the more buttoned-up androgynous baby names, all spellings of the name, which also include Marlowe, are gaining in popularity for girls.
  50. Mercury

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "Roman messenger god"

    • Description:

      Adventurous parents are starting to look back to names of ancient gods like Mercury, Zeus, and Apollo. This one is also a planet and a metallic element, and has a friendly nickname, Merc. The Roman god Mercury, which derives from the Latin words for trade or wages, is the patron of tradesmen and travelers and the fastest-moving planet in the solar system. Mercury is the planet associated with the sign of Virgo, so this is one of the prime names for Virgo babies.
  51. Mica

    • Origin:

      Short form of Michal

    • Description:

      Mica is not the same name -- though it sounds the same -- as Micah, but the h makes it feel more masculine.
  52. Micah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "who is like the Lord"

    • Description:

      The bright, playful Micah feels like the middle ground between the safe, solid qualities of Michael and the flair and energy of Luca. Both Biblical and stylish, Micah is proving popular among parents today.
  53. Mischa

    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of Mikhail

    • Description:

      This was a 100 percent boys' name till the willowy Mischa Barton of TV's "The OC" made it unisex, a la Sascha.
  54. Newlyn

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "new pond"

    • Description:

      Male name that seems feminine enough to switch genders, if you're looking for a new lyn spin.
  55. Nicola

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"

    • Description:

      Nicola may be more familiar as a female name in English-speaking countries, but it's a popular classic choice for Italian baby boys – currently just outside the Top 50 there. A historic bearer is Nicola Pisano, a renowned and influential thirteenth century sculptor.
  56. Nike

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "victory"

    • Description:

      Cool goddess name, but you might need to brace yourself for lots of sneaker jokes, depending on where you live.
  57. Ocean

    • Origin:

      English, nature name

    • Meaning:

      "ocean"

    • Description:

      Nature names like Ocean and River are flowing back into favor, especially with nature lovers and green-oriented parents.
  58. Paris

    • Origin:

      French place-name

    • Description:

      The first famous Paris was a mythological prince of incredible beauty. The most recent was media darling Paris Hilton, inspirer of a generation of baby-girl namesakes. But since Pierce Brosnan and other celebs have continued to use it for their sons, the name retains some masculine identity. For girls, it jumped from #464 to #412 in the past year alone.
  59. Pax

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  60. Piper

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "pipe or flute player"

    • Description:

      Piper is a bright, musical name that entered the list in 1999, one year after the debut of the TV series Charmed, which featured a Piper, and it's been a consistent riser since. Piper Kerman is the memoirist whose prison experiences provided the basis for the hit Netflix series Orange is the New Black.
  61. Poe

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "peacock"

    • Description:

      Hip new middle-name choice, conjuring up the gothic tales of Edgar Allan, and current single-named pop singer Poe.
  62. Presley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "priest's meadow"

    • Description:

      More universal than Elvis...and more conventionally attractive, too. Cindy Crawford used it for her son, though it's on the rise mainly for girls. The last time Presley ranked in the Top 1000 for boys was 1903, 120 years ago. Today, it's used for girls 14 times as often as for boys, mainly because of the -ley ending.
  63. Rebel

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "rebel"

    • Description:

      Asking for trouble. Rebel Wilson is female, but this name is truly gender neutral, though hardly neutral in any other way. Rebel is undoubtedly one of the edgiest boys' names starting with the letter R.
  64. Reed

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "red-haired"

    • Description:

      Sleek, unisex surname rarely heard for girls -- which could be seen as an asset.
  65. Roux

    • Origin:

      French From Latin

    • Meaning:

      "russet"

    • Description:

      Roux, a color name meaning russet or reddish brown, is a possible middle name for your little auburn-haired babe, though a post-Hunger Games child would more likely be called Rue. Roux is also a culinary term for a mixture of fat and flour used in French cooking to make sauces.
  66. Rowan

    • Origin:

      Scottish and Irish

    • Meaning:

      "rowan tree; little redhead"

    • Description:

      With its gentle sounds and earthy vibes, the name Rowan feels like a fusion of different styles. A word name, a surname, and a gender-neutral name, Rowan is rustic but trendy, blending the vibes of both Owen and Oakley.
  67. Sascha

    • Origin:

      German variation of Sasha

    • Meaning:

      "defending warrior"

    • Description:

      In Europe, this name is mostly male, but here it's more fashionable for girls. It's a diminutive of Alexander.
  68. 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.
  69. Sawyer

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "woodcutter"

    • Description:

      Sawyer is a surname with a more relaxed and friendly feel than many others, and is one of the hottest occupational names right now, with the Nameberry seal of approval. Sawyer is becoming one of the top unisex names. Both Sara Gilbert and Diane Farr used Sawyer for their daughters, while it was given a boost as a boys' name by the character Sawyer on Lost, an alias for the character really named James Ford.
  70. Scully

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "herald or town crier"

    • Description:

      Relaxed, with an appealing touch of swagger.
  71. Seneca

    • Origin:

      Latin surname and Native American

    • Meaning:

      "people of the standing rock"

    • Description:

      Seneca's distinguished heritage as the name of the ancient Roman philosopher-playwright who tutored Nero, and of an Iroquois tribe makes this an interesting choice for either sex.
  72. Shiloh

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "tranquil"

    • Description:

      Haunting biblical and Civil War place-name; now unisex—especially after the mega-high-profile Brangelina couple picked it for their daughter. It debuted in the Top 1000 for boys in 2015.
  73. Sinclair

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "from the town of St. Clair"

    • Description:

      The most famous Sinclair was the (male) writer Lewis, but these days the name works at least as well for a girl.
  74. Sloane

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "raider"

    • Description:

      Sloane is a sleek, sophisticated surname name that has gradually morphed over to the girls' side. With its distinctive and intriguing sound, Sloane has been in the US Top 1000 since 2009, and in 2022, it made its first appearance in the UK charts, jumping more than 400 places in a single year.
  75. Spruce

    • Origin:

      Tree name

    • Description:

      A handsome, spruced-up post-Bruce tree name.
  76. Sweeney

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "the little hero"

    • Description:

      The double 'e' gives this Celtic surname a genial sound. It derives from an old Irish name — Suibhne (SHEEV-ne) that was borne by several early saints and kings, including, unfortunately, one known as Mad Sweeney who spent his life living in trees and composing nature poetry. Another possible drawback is the association with Sweeney Todd, the bloodthirsty butcher of Sondheim stage-musical fame.
  77. Tarot

    • Origin:

      French, fortune-telling cards

    • Description:

      A psychic mystique clings to this name of cards used in fortune-telling.
  78. Teagan

    • Origin:

      Irish or Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "little poet or fair"

    • Description:

      Teagan is a cousin of trendy names Reagan and Keagan now given to girls about six times as often as boys. As an Irish name, it's a diminutive of the original Tadhg. Teagan may also be a variation of the Welsh Tegan, a saint's name that means fair.
  79. Temple

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "dweller near the temple"

    • Description:

      The old word name Temple has gained some recent notice as a girls' name via admired autistic writer and inventor Dr. Temple Grandin (born Mary Temple), subject of an acclaimed biopic, in which she was played by Claire Danes.
  80. Troy

    • Origin:

      Greek, French

    • Meaning:

      "of Troyes"

    • Description:

      Troy shot to popularity as a first name in tandem with that of 1960s heartthrob Troy (born Merle) Donahue; its image has now, thanks in part to the Brad Pitt-starring epic, Troy, receded back to conjuring up the ancient site of the Trojan wars.
  81. West

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Straightforward yet romantic, this is one newly minted name with long-term appeal, especially as a middle name. It was used as such for Tea Leoni and David Duchovny's Madelaine, whom they call West. Definitely ambigender, it was chosen by Marley Shelton for her daughter.
  82. Zo

    • Description:

      Zo is a concise masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Greek, it relates to "life" (from zoe), while in some African cultures, particularly Madagascar, it can mean "ancestor" or carry spiritual significance. The name has been used in East Asian contexts as well, where short names are often valued. Its brevity gives it contemporary appeal in Western naming trends that favor short, punchy names with impact. Zo functions well internationally due to its easy pronunciation across languages. While uncommon in mainstream Western usage, it has gained some traction among parents seeking minimalist names with cross-cultural resonance and meaningful depth beyond its simple two-letter structure.