IN THIS ARTICLE
Harlowe, Atlas, and Sailor are just a few of the cute unisex baby names that are now getting entered on birth certificates. Baby naming in 2023 may not look like what it used to. More recently, parents have been moving away from using traditional gender-specific names and exploring monikers that may not ascribe to just one gender.
In the past 20 years, gender-neutral names have been on the rise. School rosters are no longer filled with the usual lineup of Kimberlys, Timothys, and Ashleys but with Ryans, Averys, and Rivers. The shift toward androgynous names has parents avoiding the usual trends and finding a name that they think will truly best fit their child.
Check out the charming gender-neutral names parents are choosing.
More from Mom.com: How to Explain Gender Neutrality to Your Child
Popular vs. unique: Why gender neutral?
While naming babies has usually been about checking out the latest list of most popular names, nowadays parents want to look beyond the lists and see what names might capture their child’s personality the best.
Author Laura Wattenburg of The Baby Name Wizard has been watching the trend toward unisex names climb. “Parents are actively seeking novelty,” Wattenberg told The Atlantic. “That means throwing away, to a large extent, traditional names that had dominated for centuries, and that means throwing away names with gender associations.”
Instead of heading toward the popular route or doing what is common, try a unique name in which your child might even be more encouraged to forge their own path.
“We chose a gender-neutral name, Riley, for my daughter,” Lori Kinkler, a psychologist in San Antonio, TX, shared with the New York Post. She went on to express how important it was to support her daughter’s future choices. “We knew her sex, but gender is fluid and yet to be determined. Of all the difficulties faced by those who live beyond, or across, the binary, we didn’t want name-changing to be one of them.”
More from Mom.com: 12 Gender-Neutral Nursery Must-Haves
Cute baby names that are appropriate for every baby
While all names have certain meanings attached to them, sometimes the cuteness of the name outshines its origin. Here are some adorable names that can prompt a smile.
Lindsey
Popularity rank in the US: No. not ranked (boys), No. not ranked (girls)
Meaning: Lincoln's marsh
While Lindsey is a more common English name for a male, here in the U.S. it has been a popular name for females spelled “Lindsay."
Cameron
Popularity rank in the US: No. 62 (boys), No. 468 (girls)
Meaning: Crooked nose, crooked stream
This Scottish name has the sporty nickname Cam that works with either gender.
Parker
Popularity rank in the US: No. 93 (boys), No. 113 (girls)
Meaning: Keeper of the forest or park
Parker's more popular with boys than girls, perhaps because it has a slightly tomboyish edge. It's still fitting for a girl, and it's a timeless name.
Sawyer
Popularity rank in the US: No. 114 (boys), No. 216 (girls)
Meaning: Woodsman
This name tends to fly under the radar, and it is perfect for those parents who want a name that's not too common.
Unisex baby name meanings
Beyond the joy of choosing a name that sounds good, the meaning of a name can help create the foundation of a child. So, see how these meaningful names not only sound good but offer a solid path for a baby to grow on.
Avery
Popularity rank in the US: No. 210 (boys), No. 19 (girls)
Meaning: Ruler of the elves
Admittedly, the original Old English meaning of Avery — "ruler of the elves" — might not have any real-world significance for you unless you're a "Lord of the Rings" superfan. In any case, this is a simple name with a slightly aristocratic air.
Beck
Popularity rank in the US: No. not ranked (boys), No. not ranked (girls)
Meaning: Brook or stream
With a famous musician claiming the name, Beck can be the perfect fit for a boy or a girl who desires tranquility over anything else.
Ryan
Popularity rank in the US: No. 66 (boys), No. 495 (girls)
Meaning: Little king or ruler
Another Gaelic name, Ryan is a classic choice for a boy and a little trendier option for a girl. Its meaning — "little ruler" — may seem all too appropriate once your Ryan enters toddlerhood.
James
Popularity rank in the US: No. 5 (boys), not ranked (girls)
Meaning: Supplanter (one who takes the place of another)
Everyone knows a male James, whether it's a newborn or your grandfather. But while this strong, stoic name is a classic for boys, it's also a surprisingly fitting name for a girl. Model Jaime King went by James for a time, and Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have a baby girl named James.
Quinn
Popularity rank in the US: No. 405 (boys), No. 80 (girls)
Meaning: Intelligent, wise
Quinn comes from Gaelic for wise, but it's hardly limited to babies born of Irish heritage. This is a simple, graceful name for a child of either gender.
Sage
Popularity rank in the US: No. 427 (boys), No. 179 (girls)
Meaning: Wise one
A young Sage can expect to be needled by teachers over the years — after all, this is an English synonym for an intelligent or wise person. If you're hoping for an astrophysicist, choosing this name could be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Shiloh
Popularity rank in the US: 581 (boys), No. 410 (girls)
Meaning: The one to whom it belongs; peace; the messiah
Shiloh got a boost when Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt chose it for their daughter. Before that, this Hebrew name was known for its place in the Bible; its exact meaning is unknown, but possible interpretations include "peace" and "the Messiah."
River
Popularity rank in the US: No. 110 (boys), No. 151 (girls)
River is the kind of Zen name you'd expect to belong to a vegan poet or sensitive singer-songwriter. It's also the name chosen by Kelly Clarkson for her baby girl.
