Gender-Neutral Baby Names

  1. Khari
    • Origin:

      West African
    • Meaning:

      "kingly"
    • Description:

      Though used quite often for babies of both sexes, Khari, meaning "kingly," was traditionally a boys' name. Musical couple Fetty Wop and Masika Kalysha, however, named their daughter Khari.
  2. Aris
    • Origin:

      Modern Greek spelling of Ares,"ruin, bane"
    • Meaning:

      "ruin, bane"
    • Description:

      This modern Greek spelling is currently in the Top 1000 in England and Wales, and in France.
  3. Jael
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "mountain goat"
    • Description:

      This attractive Old Testament option is the name of a place in northern Israel.
  4. Justice
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "the quality of being just, impartial, or fair"
    • Description:

      Justice, one of the rare virtue names for boys, entered the popularity ranks in 1992, and has remained on the list ever since. Parents' search for names implying virtue has led to a mini-revival of this long-neglected name in both its German homonymic form, Justus, and as the word itself. Steven Seagal was ahead of the curve when he used it back in 1976.
  5. Layne
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Lane
    • Description:

      As surname Lane becomes more popular, so too does this variant. Regardless, it does create the possibility for spelling confusion.
  6. Gentry
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "aristocracy"
    • Description:

      A distinctive surname that, despite its meaning, has a cowboy swagger, a la Autry.
  7. Laine
    • Origin:

      Variation of Lane
    • Meaning:

      "a small roadway or path"
    • Description:

      Unisex Lane is a hit for boys in the last few decades, remaining around the 200s in popularity. Laine may lean a bit more feminine, but still has that unisex feel.
  8. Austen
    • Origin:

      Literary surname and shortened form of Augustine, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"
    • Description:

      Parents who love the great English novelist Jane Austen may choose this spelling of the popular name Austin to honor the author of Emma and Pride and Prejudice.
  9. Ridley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "cleared wood; reed clearing; channel clearing"
    • Description:

      Can one prominent character affect the gender identity of a name? Definitely, as has supernatural bad girl Ridley Duchannes of the Beautiful Creatures series-turned-movie, played by the gorgeous Emmy Rossum.
  10. Armani
    • Origin:

      Italian surname derived from Herman or Arman, German or Persian
    • Meaning:

      "soldier or wish,hope"
    • Description:

      Armani is catching on along with other brand names, and this one is among the most gender-neutral — sitting in the Top 500 for both boys and girls.
  11. Ramsey
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "low-lying land"
    • Description:

      A surname with potential as a first — Ramsey was given to a little over 100 baby boys in 2022.
  12. Reilly
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "courageous"
    • Description:

      Riley is the spelling of this lively Irish name most often picked for girls, but this version is occasionally used.
  13. Storm
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      The name of one of the most powerful Marvel superheroes — and the first major black female comic book heroine — is certainly a big one to live up to! Portrayed in the live-action X-Men movies first by Halle Berry and then by Alexandra Shipp, Storm is a mutant descended from a long line of African witch-priestesses, who can bend the weather and atmosphere to her will.
  14. Iman
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "faith"
    • Description:

      One of the best-known African names in the Western World because of the Somali-born model and wife of the late David Bowie.
  15. Lake
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Evocative modern unisex choice brought into the spotlight by actress Lake Bell.
  16. Landry
    • Origin:

      French and English
    • Meaning:

      "ruler"
    • Description:

      Landry is one rising surname name, often after legendary Dallas Cowboys football coach Tom Landry, that is given to boys and girls. But the y ending does give it a feminine sound (as opposed to the more boyish and more popular Landon). Land is a Landry nickname that might work for boys or girls.
  17. Truth
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "the state of being the case"
    • Description:

      True has become an accepted first and middle name; Truth makes an even stronger statement. And with nearly 150 baby boys named Truth in the US in the most recent year counted, as many as were named Ross, the word name is edging up on the Top 1000.
  18. Sidney
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "Saint Denis"
    • Description:

      While Sidney in this spelling has a long history as a girls' name, it fell off the Top 1000 from the early 50s until 1990. Then it reemerged as one of the newly chic androgynous names for girls, rising into the Top 300 before falling off the Top 1000 list again in 2016. Sydney is now the more fashionable form.
  19. Loren
    • Origin:

      English spelling variation of Lauren, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "from Laurentum or bay laurel"
    • Description:

      The spelling Loren turns Lauren or its male form Laurence into a gender-neutral name. Last year 75 baby girls were named Loren in the US vs. 60 baby boys, making this name a good nonbinary choice.
  20. Raleigh
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "meadow of deer"
    • Description:

      An attractive North Carolina unisex place name, Raleigh's soft sound is particularly appropriate for a girl.