Gender-neutral name options

A strong, warm name and a strong warm color. Would make an excellent alternative to August or Aubrey.

As modern as it sounds, Blaise is an ancient Christian martyr name. In Arthurian legend, Blaise is the name of Merlin the Magician's secretary. Its relation to the word and name Blaze gives it a fiery feel. Amanda Beard named her baby boy Blaise Ray.

Cerulean is just beginning to be heard as a name thanks to its distinctive sounds and the appealing electric-sky-blue it evokes. Reminiscent of Ocean, Aurelian, Cyrus, and Caspian, it was given to just 6 babies in 2023, but that could change in coming years.

Ether is an uncommon feminine name derived from scientific and philosophical concepts rather than traditional naming conventions. The word 'ether' historically referred to the fifth element in ancient and medieval science, thought to fill the upper regions of space. It was considered the material that made up the heavens and celestial bodies. The name evokes ethereal qualities—lightness, elegance, and otherworldliness. In modern contexts, it might appeal to parents drawn to scientific terminology or abstract concepts as naming inspiration. While quite rare as a given name, Ether offers a distinctive choice with philosophical depth and celestial associations, fitting among other element-inspired names but with a more mystical quality.

Inventive name for the child of a writer.

Gideon is a no-longer neglected Old Testament name, but still makes an excellent choice for parents looking to move beyond such overused biblicals as Benjamin and Jacob. In the Old Testament, Gideon was a judge called on by God to rescue the Jews from the Midianites, and the name was popular among the Puritans.

The girls have Violet and Scarlet and Ruby and Rose, but for the boys there's a much more limited palette of color names. Grey/Gray is one exception, which could make for a soft and evocative—if slightly somber—choice, especially in the middle. Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney named their son Leo Grey.

The longer Isabella stays in the Top 10—and it's been there for more than a decade—the more we hear the nickname Izzy (especially if we watch Grey's Anatomy). it's just a matter of time before it stands on its own, as it has as a first name for the daughter of Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher.

This super-charged variation of Jett is on the rise -- along with the unlikely newcomer Jetson.

Kiley as a masculine name represents an interesting gender crossover from what has become predominantly feminine usage in recent decades. Originally an Irish surname derived from 'Caollaidhe' meaning 'slender' or 'narrow,' Kiley emerged as a given name for both genders. While it has trended strongly female since the 1980s, it maintains a presence as a boy's name in some communities, reflecting the ongoing tradition of Irish surnames as male first names. For boys, Kiley carries a modern, dynamic quality while maintaining Celtic roots. The pronunciation is straightforward (KY-lee), making it accessible across cultures. As a masculine name, Kiley offers a distinctive option that balances traditional origins with contemporary sound.

Kyrie may be a name of God used widely in the ancient church refrain Kyrie Elieson, or Lord, have mercy, but it's rising in popularity for boys in the US on the strength of basketball star Kyrie Irving. Irving pronounces the first syllable of Kyrie to rhyme with my, whereas with the religious word it rhymes with fear.

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.