gender neutral names I personally like
- Edison
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of Edward"Description:
Thomas Edison’s surname is an inventive take on Addison when used for girls. It's an English surname deriving from either Adam or Eda, a medieval diminutive of Edith.
- Eiden
Origin:
GaelicMeaning:
"little fire"Description:
One of many Aidan variations — all stemming from the original Gaelic Aodhán — Eiden was the third fastest-rising boy name of 2023 and a new entry to the US Top 1000. Interestingly, despite this spelling's current success, Aidan, Aiden, Ayden, and Aden are all on the downswing.
- Eliot
Origin:
Variation of ElliotMeaning:
"Jehovah is God"Description:
Sleekened spelling.
- Eliot
Origin:
Variation of ElliotMeaning:
"The Lord is my God"Description:
Eliot is the sleekest spelling of the original, very occasionally used for girls, perhaps to honor novelist George Eliot.
- Essa
Description:
Essa is a multicultural masculine name with various origins and meanings across different traditions. In Arabic contexts, it is the form of Jesus (Isa) used in the Quran, carrying profound religious significance. In African traditions, particularly West African cultures, Essa can mean 'sixth-born child' in some communities. The name also appears in Nordic countries as a variant of Esau or as a short form of names containing 'Es-'. With its brevity and melodic quality, Essa has gained popularity in diverse communities for its cross-cultural appeal and easy pronunciation. The name's simplicity, combined with its rich cultural heritage, makes it increasingly popular among parents seeking names that work well internationally.
- Essa
Description:
Essa is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Arabic, it's a variation of Isa (the Arabic form of Jesus) and means 'God is salvation.' In Irish contexts, Essa derives from the Gaelic 'os' meaning 'deer' or possibly as a diminutive of Esther. In some South Asian cultures, particularly in Pakistan and India, Essa appears as both a feminine and masculine name. The name remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, making it a distinctive choice. Its brevity and melodic quality with soft consonants give it an appealing, gentle sound while maintaining a unique character. Essa has seen modest usage in recent decades without becoming mainstream, appealing to parents seeking a simple yet uncommon name with multicultural resonance.
- Ester
Origin:
Variation of EstherMeaning:
"star"Description:
This simplified spelling is a bit too polyester, though this is also the authentic Slavic version of an Old Testament name that's being rediscovered.
- Evan
Origin:
Welsh variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Evan has a mellow nice-guy image that has kept it popular, while it has been widely used in Wales since the nineteenth century. And interestingly—and surprisingly—enough, Evan charts highly for boys in France.
- Evan
Origin:
Welsh variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Evan is a boys' favorite that has been given the feminine touch by talented actress Evan Rachel Wood. If you want to move beyond Eva and Evelyn and like unisex names, this may be a good bet for you (though like Evan Rachel Wood, you may want a feminine name in the middle name position to clarify matters). Evanna is also another alternative.
- Even
Origin:
NorwegianMeaning:
"gift or winner"Description:
Even is a popular boys' name in Norway, derived from the Old Norse Eivindr. Another popular variation is Eivind, which is pronounced like Ivan.
- Ever
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"always, constantly, eternally"Description:
Similar in sound to Evan and Everett, Ever is an evocative word name that's currently on the rise. Used by Alanis Morissette and Souleye back in 2010, Ever was given to more than 200 boys in 2023, compared to 125 girls.
- Ever
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"always, eternally, constantly"Description:
A simple, unusual word name with an evocative meaning, Ever feels similar enough to Eva, Evelyn, and Everly that it shifts easily into name territory. Actor Robert Carradine was ahead of the trends when he named his now grown-up actress daughter Ever back in the 70s, while more recently, it was used by both Milla Jovovich and Owain Yeoman.
- Evergreen
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"always green"
- Evergreen
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"always green"Description:
This offbeat botanical name boasts the trendy Ever sound and a cool wintery vibe. Evergreen was only given to a handful of baby girls in recent years, but would work just as well for a boy.
- Everly
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wild boar in woodland clearing"Description:
Evokes 1960s brotherly close harmony. The Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis named his son Everly Bear, and it is also an explosively popular choice for girls. We predict that all the "Ever" names will be one of the defining trends of the 2010s-20s.
- Everly
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wild boar in woodland clearing"Description:
Sweet and stylish, with a sporty, energetic undertone, Everly is a name that ticks lots of boxes.
- Everson
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"son of Evert or Eve"Description:
An established surname that fits well with today's trend for the "Ever" sound – and a similar-yet-different alternative to Emerson. Historically, it denoted a descendent of Evert, a form of Everard, meaning "brave boar", or a descendent of Eve or its medieval English diminutive Evot, meaning "life".
- Evon
Description:
Evon is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Yvonne, which comes from the Germanic name element 'iv' or 'yew,' symbolizing the yew tree that represented strength and endurance. Alternatively, it could be a variation of Evan, with Welsh roots meaning 'young warrior' or 'well-born.' The name has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, giving it a distinctive quality. Evon has a gentle yet strong sound, with its short, two-syllable structure making it both modern and timeless. Its rarity makes it appealing to parents seeking something familiar-sounding yet unique for their daughters.
- Evyn
Description:
Evyn is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It can be considered a modern spelling variation of Evan, which derives from the Welsh name Ieuan, a form of John meaning 'God is gracious.' Alternatively, it could be related to the Irish name Eoin or the Gaelic Eoghan, meaning 'born of the yew tree' or 'young warrior.' This contemporary spelling gives the traditional name a fresh, distinctive edge while maintaining its classic roots. Evyn remains relatively uncommon, offering parents a recognizable yet unique option. The name carries a smooth sound and conveys qualities of strength and gentleness simultaneously. Its brief, clean spelling appeals to those seeking a name that's straightforward yet subtly distinctive.
- Evyn
Description:
Evyn is a modern feminine variation of Evan, which derives from the Welsh name Iefan, a form of John meaning 'God is gracious.' Though traditionally a masculine name, Evyn has gained popularity as a feminine option for parents seeking a name with a contemporary edge while maintaining traditional roots. The unique spelling with a 'y' gives this name a distinctive touch while preserving the familiar pronunciation. Evyn represents a trend toward gender-neutral naming, offering a strong yet versatile choice for girls. While not among the most common names, its similarity to popular names like Evelyn and Eva has helped it gain recognition in recent decades.