unisex names

Harper

English

"harp player"

Harper got its start as a celebrity baby name when Paul Simon chose it for his now-grown son. Since then, other famous parents have followed suit: musician Tim Finn and actor Cecilia Peck both have…

Loren

Variation of Laurence, English from Latin

"from Laurentum or bay laurel"

A variant form of Laurence or Lawrence which ranked in the #200s in the US from the 1900s through to the 1960s. It didn't fall off the boys' Top 1000 until the late 1990s, following the huge…

Lynn

Welsh

"lake"

Traditionally used for boys before the 20th-century, Lynn was solidly used as a masculine name in the US, right up until the 70s when it fell out of favor. Prior to that, however, it had already…

Sammy

Hebrew

"god has heard"

Short for Samuel or long for Sam, Sammy is a sweet midcentury nickname name that we can see coming back.

Teagan

Irish or Welsh

"little poet or fair"

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…

Cass

Diminutive of Casper etc

A light variation of any of the weightier names beginning with Cas, such as Casper, Cassius etc- this is a beautifully mellow and soft name that bears greater consideration.

Clarence

Latin

"bright"

The name of the guardian angel in It's a Wonderful Life is rarely heard the rest of the year because of its studious, near-nerdy image, but this could change in the current naming climate. An English…

Dominique

French form of Dominic, Latin

"belonging to the lord"

Unisex option Dominique peaked for boys at Number 170 in 1991, perhaps due to the popularity of basketball player Dominique Wilkins. While it has now fallen out of the popularity charts in both the…

Val

Diminutive of Valentine, Latin

"strength, health"

Val as a boys' name is closely associated with the late actor Val Kilmer.

Prentice

English

"apprentice"

Long-used surname name that's up for promotion to greater popularity.

Cassidy

Irish

"curly-headed"

A lean and lanky Irish cowboy name with great nickname potential to boot (Cass or Sid are both options). This is one of the great under-rated American names !

Blaine

Irish and Scottish

"yellow"

Attractive Scottish and Irish surname name of a seventh-century saint, associated with the illusionist and escape artist David Blaine.

Kennedy

Irish

"misshapen head"

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…

Raven

Word name

Make that bird name, and while it does work for both genders, it's far more popular for girls, via Raven Symone.

Bailey

English occupational name

"law enforcer, bailiff"

Extremely amiable, open-sounding surname that's gradually being taken over by the girls.

Theron

Greek

"hunter"

Theron is best known these days as the surname of actress Charlize, but it does have a long history as a first name, ranking in the Top 500 in the early part of the 20th century and only dropping out…

London

Place-name

"Capital city of England"

In the US, London is popular for both sexes, though as the name has risen for girls, it's levelled off for boys. Currently given to around 200 boys each year, it is nearly five times more popular for…

Adair

Scottish and Irish, Brazilian, "oak tree ford; wealthy spearman; wealth and fame"

"oak tree ford; wealthy spearman; wealth and fame"

Adair has flair, the grace of a Fred Astaire, and a daring, spirited vibe. It's usually considered a Scottish surname, derived from the name Edgar, though other possibilities are that it derives from…