unisex names

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…

Kitto

Cornish, diminutive of Christopher, Greek and Latin

"bearer of Christ"

Kitto updates Dad Name Christopher with a trendy o-ending short form. Use it as an honor name or an original nickname.

Kris

Short form of Kristof or Kristofer

"Christian"

Many European cultures spell Christopher with a K and thus the short form Kris. There were about 35 baby boys named Kris, just Kris, in the US last year, and only a handful of baby girls -- this…

Linden

Variation of Lyndon

"linden tree hill"

The graceful, natural image of the verdant shade tree transcends any connection with President Johnson. A sturdy tree that can live for centuries, Linden was actually quite a popular boys' name from…

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…

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…

Lou

Diminutive of Louis or Lewis, French and German

"renowned warrior"

Lou, all by itself, is become fashionable for girls, which usually makes a name LESS fashionable for boys. But Lou, like Bill or Jim, is rarely used on its own for boys anyway. (You wouldn't name a…

Lyndon

English

"linden tree hill"

An English surname-turned-first-name whose most famous bearer is former US president Lyndon B. Johnson. His appointment in 1963 caused a huge spike in use for his unusual name the following year,…

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…

Lynx

Animal name

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

Lysander

Greek

"liberator"

Lysander is a distinctive Greek name that could be thought of as a more creative cousin of Alexander. In ancient history, Lysander was the name of an esteemed Spartan naval commander and his literary…

Mackenzie

Scottish

"son of Kenneth"

This lively Scottish surname is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Coinnich , Coinnich being one of the original Gaelic forms of Kenneth. As a given name, it caught on for girls in a big way…

Matty

Matty functions as both a standalone masculine name and a familiar diminutive of Matthew, which derives from the Hebrew name Mattathia meaning 'gift of God.' While traditionally used as a nickname,…

Mel

English, diminutive of Melvin

"council protector"

Though most Mels are playing pinochle with Murray and Morris, there was a notable Saint Mel. He is one of the earliest Irish saints, a nephew of St. Patrick. He became a priest, then built a great…

Meredith

Welsh

"great ruler"

Meredith has been considered primarily a girl's name since the fifties, before which it was more commonly used for boys. Comic actor Jay Mohr recently named his son Meredith, which might help it…

Naji

Arabic

"safe"

Spelled Najee, this was chosen by rapper LL Cool J for his son several years ago.

Nicky

Diminutive of Nicholas or Nicole

Nicky is a forever-cute short form of Nicholas once used as a full name but now relegated to nickname (no pun intended) status.

Ollie

Diminutive of Oliver, Latin

"olive tree"

Ollie is the versatile go-to nickname for the hugely popular Oliver, though the large majority of parents prefer to have the more formal name on the birth certificate. Even in the UK where nickname…