One of the biggest decisions parents-to-be are faced with is choosing a baby name. Sounds a bit dramatic, sure, but a name, unlike paint colors and onesies, is something your child will have forever — or at least a very long time. Enter in gender-neutral baby names — a contemporary choice that adds creativity and meaning to this important decision.
Perhaps given the permanence of monikers, coupled with more progressive mindsets, Sophie Kihm, editor-in-chief of Nameberry, notes that many parents are now opting for gender-neutral baby names, which can be used for a person of any gender. “In practice, there is a subset of names that are used for both female and male babies, and we’d define these names as gender neutral,” she explains.
If you’re anticipating parenthood or hoping to add a new addition to your family in 2024, here’s a list of popular unisex baby name options recommended by experts and inspired by celebrity trends — as well as information about the ongoing infatuation with gender-neutral baby names and why you might want to get in on it.
Popular gender-neutral baby names in 2024
Here, Kihm, along with Taylor Humphrey, founder of What’s in a Baby Name, and Jennifer Moss, founder and CEO of BabyNames.com, share their list of gender-neutral baby names.
Classic gender-neutral baby names
- Alex
- Jordan
- Taylor
- Tyler
- Casey
- Max
- Sam
- Jamie
Surnames as gender-neutral names
- Chandler
- Remy/Remington
- Palmer
- Spencer
- Parker
- Monroe
- Sumner
- Sawyer
- Smith
- Dawson
- Emerson
- Campbell
- Prescott
- Schuyler/Skyler
- Miller
- Murphy
- Bennett
- Jones
- Hayes
- Bowie
Midcentury modern gender-neutral names
- Frankie
- Scottie
- Stevie
- Lenny/Leni
- Mickey
- Bobby
- Kit
- Charlie
Former “girl” gender-neutral names
- Aubrey
- Ashley
- Courtney
- Beverly
- Marion
- Evelyn
Place gender-neutral names
- Jupiter
- Milan
- Eden
- Phoenix
- Denali
- Dakota
- Dallas
- London
Nature-inspired, gender-neutral names
- River
- Lake
- Skye
- Winter
- Willow
Celebrity gender-neutral baby names
- Vanja (child of Chloe Sevingy and Siniša Mačković).
- Malti (child of Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas).
- Riot (child of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky).
- Wren (child of Chrissy Teigen and John Legend).
- Leodis (child of Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson).
- Bingham (child of Kate Hudson and Matt Bellamy).
- James (child of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively).
- Lincoln (child of Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell).
- Wyatt (child of Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher).
- Journey (child of Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green).
- Khai (child of Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik).
- Arlo (child of Julia Stiles and Preston Cook).
- Atlas (child of Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel).
- Blue (child of Beyonce and Jay-Z).
- Esti (child of Chrissy Teigen and John Legend).
More unique gender-neutral names
- Amari
- Hollis
- Zephyr
- Rowan
- True
- Brave
- Teagan
- Tiernan
- Scout
- Arden
Why might you consider a gender-neutral baby name?
There are a number of reasons to choose a gender-neutral baby name, according to both Kihm and Humphrey. These include:
1. Flexibility
Gender-neutral baby names allow for flexibility in terms of gender identity, explains Kihm. “Many modern parents understand that their child’s gender may not match their assigned sex at birth,” she notes. “Giving their child a gender-neutral name increases the chances that the child will feel connected to their name.”
“Giving their child a gender-neutral name increases the chances that the child will feel connected to their name.”
— Sophie Kihm, editor-in-chief of Nameberry
To that point, Humphrey adds: “As society evolves in its understanding and acceptance of gender fluidity, a gender-neutral name ensures that the child’s name remains relevant and inclusive.”
2. Gender nonconformity
According to Humphrey, gender-neutral names can also help eliminate — or minimize, at least — gender stereotypes. “A gender-neutral baby name may help kids explore their interests and personality without societal pressures based on their name.” A child named Sawyer, for example, signing up for both baseball and sewing? Yes, please!
3. Personal preference
Everyone has their own style, and baby names are no different. “Sometimes, the allure of a gender-neutral name lies simply in its unique sound, which parents find appealing,” notes Humphrey.
“Sometimes, the allure of a gender-neutral name lies simply in its unique sound, which parents find appealing.”
— Taylor Humphrey, founder of What’s in a Baby Name
Gender-neutral baby names, Kihm adds, typically err on the side of being stylish and modern. “Many unisex names are contemporary and appeal to parents with modern style,” she says. “Newer categories of names — nature names, place names, word names — are inherently gender neutral.” Think: River, Phoenix and Sage.
4. Ancestral connection
A growing trend, according to Humphrey, is using family surnames (or maiden names) as first names (for example, Riley, Harper, etc.). These names, she explains, often carry subtle-yet-significant meaning.
“Given their generally gender-neutral sound, surnames offer a creative way to honor relatives across genders,” Humphrey says. “For instance, a son might bear the maiden name of a beloved female relative, or a daughter might carry the surname of a male family member as her first name. This approach not only preserves family heritage but also supports the concept of gender-neutrality in naming.”
How common are gender-neutral names?
Both Kihm and Humphrey note that gender-neutral baby names are on the rise. However, the trend first started gaining momentum in the 1980s.
“This change was partly influenced by the evolving societal roles and aspirations for women,” Humphrey explains. “Many parents, including a significant number of women who were pioneers in their families as college graduates and young professionals, began choosing names that transcended traditional gender boundaries. It reflected a desire for their daughters to have every opportunity in life.”
These days, though, gender-neutral names are growing in popularity across the board — not just from male to female, notes Kihm. “Once traditionally male names were adopted for baby girls, parents of boys abandoned them for their sons,” she explains. “But the data shows that this trend has slowed down significantly. Also, many new names have been added to the pool that are used for both sexes.”
There are plenty of reasons to be enamored with gender-neutral baby names in 2024, and likely for years to come.
