Gender neutral baby names: 150 unisex names

Here are 150 gender neutral baby names, grouped by style: popular unisex names, nature names, surnames, short names, unique picks and middle names. Any of them can suit a boy or a girl, and you don’t need to know the sex of your baby to start your list.

Popular gender neutral names

In one analysis of Social Security data that kept names with a near-even split between boys and girls, Charlie, Finley, Blake, Dakota and Tatum came out on top (source). The others here are also given to both boys and girls in that data.

  • Charlie
  • Finley
  • Blake
  • Dakota
  • Tatum
  • Avery
  • Riley
  • Parker
  • River
  • Quinn
  • Rowan
  • Emerson
  • Hayden
  • Skyler
  • Phoenix

Nature names

Trees, plants, weather and water suit any baby.

  • Sage
  • Wren
  • Ash
  • Aspen
  • Lake
  • Ocean
  • Sky
  • Rain
  • Briar
  • Clover
  • Linden
  • Bay
  • Reed
  • Fern
  • Moss
  • Heath
  • Cedar
  • Storm
  • Sunny
  • Indigo

Surname-style names

Last names used as first names are one of the easiest routes to a unisex name, and a family surname can make it personal.

  • Harper
  • Morgan
  • Taylor
  • Jordan
  • Cameron
  • Reese
  • Logan
  • Bailey
  • Campbell
  • Ellis
  • Greer
  • Hollis
  • Kendall
  • Lennon
  • Marlowe
  • Monroe
  • Sutton
  • Spencer
  • Sloan
  • Tyler

Short names

One or two syllables, easy to spell and easy to shout across a playground.

  • Drew
  • Kai
  • Lane
  • Rory
  • Sam
  • Alex
  • Jules
  • Remy
  • Robin
  • Shea
  • Dale
  • Jesse
  • Kit
  • Nico
  • Blue

Unique gender neutral names

These unique baby names are less common, so check how each one sounds with your last name before you commit.

  • Arden
  • Ellery
  • Lumen
  • Onyx
  • Oakley
  • Sparrow
  • Zephyr
  • Vesper
  • Rune
  • Everest
  • Lark
  • Ridley
  • Zion
  • Sol
  • Jupiter
  • Sailor
  • Cove
  • Marin
  • Teagan
  • Lennox

Classic unisex names

These have been shared between boys and girls for generations, so they feel familiar right away.

  • Casey
  • Jamie
  • Kelly
  • Leslie
  • Shannon
  • Tracy
  • Terry
  • Marion
  • Lee
  • Kerry
  • Jackie
  • Sidney
  • Dana
  • Lynn
  • Courtney

Names from places

A place you love can become a name. Say it with your last name first, since some read more like an address.

  • Eden
  • Denver
  • London
  • Milan
  • Salem
  • Cairo
  • Sierra
  • Boston
  • Dallas
  • Vienna
  • Ireland
  • Holland
  • Camden
  • Devon
  • Laramie

Word and virtue names

Everyday words with a meaning you can explain to your child one day.

  • True
  • Ever
  • Justice
  • Haven
  • Honor
  • Story
  • Lyric
  • Merit
  • Harmony
  • Journey
  • Noble
  • Royal
  • Bliss
  • Echo
  • Legend

Gender neutral middle names

Many short boy middle names work just as well for a girl, and a one-syllable middle name balances a longer first name.

  • James
  • Grey
  • Jude
  • Blaise
  • Hale
  • Wynn
  • Vale
  • Pax
  • Ray
  • Rhys
  • Dean
  • Jay
  • Reign
  • Ford
  • Tate

How to agree on a name

  • Write everything down first. Each of you makes a long list, including the silly ones, before anyone says no.
  • Say it with your last name. Read the whole name out loud, then call it across a room.
  • Check the initials and nicknames. Spell out the initials and think about what kids might shorten it to.
  • Score your favorites. Rate each name separately, then compare. Our baby name planner has a long list, a scoring sheet and a page for the final choice.

Boy names, girl names and everything between

Most baby names lists split into boy names and girl names, but many names are used for both, and the balance can shift from year to year. The Social Security Administration publishes its baby name data by year and by sex, so you can check how any name on this page has been used.

Questions

What is the most gender neutral name?

It depends on how you measure it. One ranking of Social Security data by how evenly a name is split puts Emerson first, followed by Landry and Kerry (source). A ranking that also weighs popularity puts Charlie first.

What is the difference between gender neutral and unisex names?

In everyday use they mean the same thing: a name given to both boys and girls.

What are some unique gender neutral names?

Lumen, Vesper, Ellery, Zephyr and Sparrow are all on our list. They are less common, so try each one out loud with your last name.

Can I use a gender neutral middle name with a traditional first name?

Yes. A short middle name such as Grey, Jude or Wynn pairs well with a longer first name, whichever first name you choose.


Sources