Gender-Neutral Names
Gender-neutral names have gone from niche to mainstream. Parents like them because they’re flexible, modern and let a child grow into their own identity; adults choosing a new name like them for the same reasons. Many of the best are old surnames or nature words that never belonged to one gender in the first place.
Below you’ll find more than 90 gender-neutral names grouped by style, from familiar favorites like Avery and Quinn to rarer picks like Arden and Sparrow. For names chosen specifically by non-binary people, see our list of non-binary names; for short, friendly forms, try gender-neutral nicknames. Our unisex names hub has even more.
Gender-Neutral Names: browse all lists
Popular gender-neutral names
These names are given in meaningful numbers to both boys and girls in the US (SSA data), so they feel genuinely shared rather than borrowed.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Avery | Ruler of elves (from Alfred) | English |
| Riley | Rye clearing; valiant | English / Irish |
| Jordan | To flow down (the River Jordan) | Hebrew |
| Quinn | Descendant of Conn, “chief” | Irish |
| Rowan | Little red-haired one; rowan tree | Irish / English |
| Parker | Park keeper | English |
| Emerson | Son of Emery | English |
| Charlie | Free person (from Charles) | English |
| Hayden | Hay valley | English |
| Finley | Fair-haired warrior | Scottish |
| Dakota | Friendly, allied (Dakota people) | Sioux |
| Elliot | The Lord is my God (via Elias) | Hebrew / English |
| Skyler | Scholar (from Dutch Schuyler) | Dutch |
| Reese | Enthusiasm (anglicized Rhys) | Welsh |
| Morgan | Sea-born; sea circle | Welsh |
| Taylor | Tailor | English |
| Casey | Vigilant, watchful | Irish |
| Jamie | Supplanter (from James) | Scottish |
| Robin | Bright fame; the songbird | English |
| Alex | Defender (Alexander/Alexandra) | Greek |
Nature names for any gender
Trees, birds and landscapes don’t come with a gender attached. More in nature names.
| Name | What it refers to | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| River | Flowing water | Calm, free-spirited |
| Sage | Wise; the silver-green herb | Soft, thoughtful |
| Ash | The ash tree | Short, sturdy |
| Aspen | Quaking mountain tree | Airy, Western |
| Briar | Wild rose, thorny shrub | Romantic, a bit wild |
| Cedar | The fragrant evergreen | Earthy |
| Ocean | The sea | Expansive |
| Sky | The heavens | Open, light |
| Wren | Small songbird | Delicate, clever |
| Linden | The lime tree | Gentle |
| Oakley | Oak clearing | Sporty |
| Sparrow | Common small bird | Humble, artistic |
| Lake | Still water | Serene |
| Haven | Safe harbor | Warm |
| Rain | Rainfall | Quiet, poetic |
Surname-style unisex names
Surnames are the traditional home of gender-neutral naming — polished, a little preppy and easy to wear.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Sawyer | Woodcutter | English |
| Sutton | Southern settlement | English |
| Hollis | Near the holly trees | English |
| Lennox | Elm grove | Scottish |
| Marlowe | Remnants of a lake | English |
| Ellis | Benevolent; from Elias | Welsh / English |
| Kendall | Valley of the River Kent | English |
| Arden | Valley of the eagle; high forest | English / Celtic |
| Campbell | Crooked mouth | Scottish |
| Blake | Dark or fair (Old English, both) | English |
| Shiloh | Tranquil; a biblical town | Hebrew |
| Harlow | Rock hill; army hill | English |
| Remy | Oarsman | French |
| Rory | Red king | Irish |
Word and virtue names
Modern, meaning-first names. Our unique unisex names page has more like these.
| Name | Meaning | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Ever | Always | Hopeful |
| True | Genuine | Honest, simple |
| Justice | Fairness | Principled |
| Lyric | Words of a song | Musical |
| Echo | Repeated sound; Greek nymph | Mysterious |
| Story | A tale | Whimsical |
| Journey | A voyage | Adventurous |
| Royal | Kingly | Confident |
| Onyx | Black stone | Bold |
| Phoenix | Mythical firebird | Resilient |
| Indigo | Deep blue-violet | Artistic |
| Bellamy | Fine friend | Charming |
Gender-neutral names from around the world
Many cultures have long-standing unisex names. Browse Hebrew names and Japanese names for more.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Noor | Arabic | Light |
| Kai | Hawaiian / Japanese / Scandinavian | Sea (Hawaiian); many meanings elsewhere |
| Sasha | Russian | Defender (from Alexander/Alexandra) |
| Yuki | Japanese | Snow; happiness (depending on kanji) |
| Hikaru | Japanese | Light, to shine |
| Ariel | Hebrew | Lion of God |
| Eden | Hebrew | Delight, paradise |
| Shai | Hebrew | Gift |
| Tal | Hebrew | Dew |
| Lior | Hebrew | My light |
| Jun | Chinese / Japanese / Korean | Obedient; pure; talented (depending on characters) |
| Kiran | Sanskrit | Ray of light |
| Amani | Swahili | Peace |
| Dara | Irish / Persian | Oak (Irish); star (Persian) |
| Ren | Japanese | Lotus; love (depending on kanji) |
| Sol | Spanish / Latin | Sun |
| Andrea | Italian (male) / English (female) | Manly, brave |
| Nikita | Russian (male) / Indian (female) | Victor / unconquered |
| Ayo | Yoruba | Joy |
| Rumi | Japanese / Persian | Beauty (Japanese); the Persian poet |
Short and sweet unisex names
One-syllable names that suit anyone. For playful short forms, see gender-neutral nicknames.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Jo | Short for Joseph/Josephine | English |
| Sam | God has heard (Samuel/Samantha) | Hebrew |
| Max | Greatest (Maximilian/Maxine) | Latin |
| Lou | Famous warrior (Louis/Louise) | French |
| Ray | Beam of light; counsel protector | English |
| Bo | Short for Robert/Bonita; Scandinavian “to live” | Various |
| Kit | Short for Christopher/Katherine | English |
| Jules | Youthful (Julius/Julia) | Latin / French |
| Blair | Plain, field | Scottish |
| Lane | Narrow road | English |
How to choose a gender-neutral name
- Look at the actual split. Some “unisex” names lean heavily one way in the US today (Harper and Avery lean girl; Riley and Jordan are closer to even). Check current SSA data if balance matters to you.
- Pair it thoughtfully. A neutral first name with a traditionally gendered middle name gives your child options; a neutral middle keeps things open.
- Consider nicknames. Names like Alex, Sam and Charlie come from longer gendered names but work perfectly on their own.
- Say it with the surname. Surname-style names can clash with surname-style last names (Parker Hollis). Try the full name out loud.
- Think long term. Neutral names give flexibility: whoever your child grows up to be, the name comes with them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular gender-neutral name?
In recent US data, names like Avery, Riley, Jordan, Quinn, Rowan and Charlie are among the most common names given in significant numbers to both boys and girls.
What is the difference between gender-neutral and unisex names?
The terms are mostly interchangeable. “Unisex” traditionally describes names used for both boys and girls, while “gender-neutral” emphasizes that the name carries no gender expectation at all. See our unisex names for more.
Are gender-neutral names becoming more popular?
Yes. Over the past few decades, more American parents have chosen names shared across genders, and surname and nature names in particular have grown in use.
What are good gender-neutral names for adults choosing a new name?
Many people pick names like River, Sage, Rowan, Ellis, Quinn or Remy. Our list of non-binary names is written with that choice in mind.
Do gender-neutral names tend to shift to one gender?
Some do. Names like Ashley, Leslie and Madison were once mostly male and became mostly female in the US. Names with a steady split, like Jordan and Riley, tend to stay shared longer.