50 Rare Gender-Neutral Names Heating Up
Gender neutral names are extremely fashionable right now — but that can pose a problem to parents looking for a cool but uncommon unisex baby name.
Familiar favorites such as River (Number 116 for boys in 2023, and Number 193 for girls) and Charlie (Number 175 for boys, Number 125 for girls) enjoy a double dose of popularity that makes them feel more common than the official stats would suggest.
That means that parents in search of names that are both gender-neutral and unique need to look further afield.
We’ve scoured the latest popularity charts to identify 50 cool gender-neutral names that don’t make the Top 1000 for either sex, but were given to at least 100 babies in total last year.
These truly unisex choices are rare but broadly appealing and right on trend, and have no more than a 35:65 gender split in either direction.
Read more about our top 10 under-the-radar favorites below, or scroll down for the full list of 50 cool uncommon unisex names we’re watching.
10 Cool Gender-Neutral Names
Cove
This sparky nature name was stopped in its tracks by COVID-19, but now it's on the rebound. TikTok may tell you that Cove is majorly trending, but it's still a rare choice, given to only 237 babies in 2037.
Cypress
This intriguing nature name plays on gender convention, with its strong Cy syllable balanced out by the softer -ess ending sound. Due to their height and resilience, cypress trees symbolize hope, strength and immortality.
Halston
Fashion great Halston lends this preppy surname name an eternally cool, high-style appeal. With echoes of popular choices like Hudson and Weston for boys, Hallie and Sutton for girls, it’s a stylish fit for any gender.
Honor
A meaningful virtue name with a double personality. For girls, it’s a strong and glamorous vintage gem; for boys, it’s a dynamic modern word name — a rarer spin on Justice or Legend.
Jupiter
An originally male Roman god name that underwent a dramatic gender switch in the mid-2010s in the US, by analogy with the nature name Juniper. Ashley Tisdale used Jupiter for her daughter in 2021, sending this name even higher for both sexes.
Lowen
The long O sound is everywhere right now, from Top 20 names Olivia and Owen to fast risers Harlow, Rowan and Elowyn. Cornish Lowen remains under the radar (at present) but we wouldn't be surprised if it takes off.
Merritt
Not technically a virtue name, but it sure sounds like one! Merritt is an uncommon and upbeat alternative to surname names like Wyatt, Everett, Beckett and Truett — all boasting that smart and stylish double T ending.
Ridley
Legendary director Sir Ridley Scott gives this quirky surname a dashing, artistic flair for boys, but it’s also a cute and quirky alternative to the likes of Hadley and Ripley for girls.
Robbie
This vintage male nickname has moved into gender-neutral territory thanks Barbie's Margot Robbie, plus the recent trend of grandpa names for girls, a la Scottie, Georgie, and Leni.
Wynn
The fashionable nickname Winnie and rise of names like Brynn and Flynn have transformed Wynn from a rare Welsh boy name to a fresh possibility for both sexes.
Best Rare Gender Neutral Names
And now for the full roster of Nameberry’s favorite cool gender-neutral baby names below the Top 1000.
None of these truly unisex names has more than a 35:65 gender split, but the color indicates the slightly dominant sex (for now — many of these are in a state of gender flux).