Gender-neutral names have become a lasting part of American naming. Some, like Taylor and Jordan, have been shared by boys and girls for decades. Others, like River, Sage, and Rowan, are newer favorites. Here are 60 unisex names with their meanings and origins, grouped so you can find the style you like.
Start with the main list of 40, then explore nature names, surname-style names, and short names. At the end, you will find tips for choosing a middle name that balances a unisex first name.
Why Parents Love Unisex Names
- Flexibility. A gender-neutral name works for any child at any stage of life.
- A fresh sound. Many unisex names come from surnames, places, or nature, so they feel modern.
- No need to wait. If you are not finding out the sex before birth, you can pick one name ahead of time.
40 Gender-Neutral Names
These are some of the most familiar unisex names in the U.S., from long-time favorites like Jordan and Taylor to newer picks like Marlowe and Oakley.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avery | Elf ruler | Old English, via Norman French |
| 2 | Riley | Valiant; also “rye clearing” | Irish, English |
| 3 | Jordan | To flow down | Hebrew |
| 4 | Quinn | Descendant of Conn (“chief”) | Irish |
| 5 | Rowan | Little red one; the rowan tree | Irish |
| 6 | Parker | Park keeper | English |
| 7 | Taylor | Tailor | English |
| 8 | Morgan | Often explained as “sea-born” | Welsh |
| 9 | Cameron | Crooked nose | Scottish Gaelic |
| 10 | Hayden | Hay valley | English |
| 11 | Emerson | Son of Emery | English |
| 12 | Reese | Ardor, enthusiasm | Welsh |
| 13 | Sage | Wise; the herb | Latin |
| 14 | River | A flowing stream | English |
| 15 | Skyler | Scholar | Dutch |
| 16 | Dakota | Friend, ally | Sioux |
| 17 | Finley | Fair warrior | Scottish Gaelic |
| 18 | Charlie | Free; short form of Charles or Charlotte | Germanic |
| 19 | Remy | From the French name Rémy (Latin Remigius, “oarsman”) | French |
| 20 | Elliott | From Elias, a form of Elijah | Hebrew, via English |
| 21 | Blake | Dark, or pale | Old English |
| 22 | Sawyer | Woodcutter | English |
| 23 | Peyton | From an English place name | English |
| 24 | Kendall | Valley of the River Kent | English |
| 25 | Ellis | From Elias, a form of Elijah | Hebrew, via Welsh |
| 26 | Jamie | Supplanter; form of James | Hebrew, via Scottish |
| 27 | Phoenix | The mythical firebird | Greek |
| 28 | Rory | Red king | Irish |
| 29 | Harper | Harp player | English |
| 30 | Robin | Bright fame; also the songbird | Germanic |
| 31 | Spencer | Steward, dispenser of provisions | English |
| 32 | Indigo | The deep blue dye | Greek |
| 33 | Marlowe | Remnants of a lake | Old English |
| 34 | Hollis | Near the holly trees | English |
| 35 | Lane | Narrow road | English |
| 36 | Oakley | Oak clearing | English |
| 37 | Shiloh | A biblical place name | Hebrew |
| 38 | Alex | Defender; short form of Alexander or Alexandra | Greek |
| 39 | Kai | Sea (Hawaiian); used in many cultures | Hawaiian and others |
| 40 | Ari | Lion (Hebrew); eagle (Norse) | Hebrew, Old Norse |
Nature-Inspired Unisex Names
Nature names are a natural fit for a gender-neutral choice. Trees, birds, weather, and landscapes don’t belong to either gender, so these names tend to feel balanced. Sage, River, Rowan, and Oakley from the main list fit here too. For more ideas, see our baby names inspired by seasons.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wren | The small songbird | English |
| 2 | Sky | The sky | English, from Old Norse |
| 3 | Aspen | The aspen tree | English |
| 4 | Briar | Thorny shrub; wild rose | English |
| 5 | Linden | The linden (lime) tree | Old English |
| 6 | Ocean | The ocean | English, from Greek |
| 7 | Winter | The winter season | English |
Keep in mind that some nature names lean toward one gender in practice, even though their meanings are neutral. If balance matters to you, check how each name is used for boys and girls in the SSA data before you decide.
Nature names also pair easily with siblings’ names. A Wren and a Rowan, or an Aspen and a River, sound like they belong together without being too matchy.
Surname-Style Unisex Names
Many unisex names began as English, Irish, or Scottish family names. They often describe a job (Bailey, Parker, Sawyer), a place (Sutton, Arden), or a family line (Murphy, Emerson). Surname names can also be a meaningful way to carry a family name forward as a first name.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bailey | Bailiff, a steward or official | English, from Old French |
| 2 | Sutton | South town | Old English |
| 3 | Campbell | Crooked mouth | Scottish Gaelic |
| 4 | Tatum | Often explained as “Tata’s homestead” | Old English |
| 5 | Ellery | From a surname related to Hilary, “cheerful” | English, from Latin |
| 6 | Murphy | Descendant of Murchadh (“sea warrior”) | Irish |
| 7 | Arden | From an English place name, as in the Forest of Arden | English |
Tip: If a surname is already in your family tree, using it as a first or middle name honors that side of the family while giving your child a fresh, modern-sounding name.
Short Unisex Names
Short names are easy to spell, easy to say, and work well with long last names. Several of these started as nicknames for longer names, so your child can grow into a formal version later if they like. Sam could become Samuel or Samantha, and Drew could become Andrew, while Lee, Noel, and Bryn stand well on their own. For more one- and two-syllable picks, browse our list of short baby names.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam | God has heard; short for Samuel or Samantha | Hebrew |
| 2 | Drew | Manly, strong; short for Andrew | Greek |
| 3 | Lee | Meadow, clearing | Old English |
| 4 | Noel | Christmas | French |
| 5 | Jules | From the Roman family name Julius | Latin, via French |
| 6 | Bryn | Hill | Welsh |
How to Pick a Balanced Middle Name
A middle name can do a lot of work with a unisex first name. It can add a classic touch, give your child an alternative to go by, or carry a family name. Here are a few simple ways to find the right fit.
- Mix modern and classic. A traditional middle name, such as Grace, James, Rose, or Henry, grounds a modern first name like Phoenix or Marlowe.
- Vary the syllables. A one-syllable first name like Quinn or Wren often flows better with a longer middle name, and a longer first name like Emerson pairs well with something short.
- Decide how neutral you want the full name to be. Some parents choose a clearly gendered middle name, while others keep both names unisex. Neither is wrong; it depends on what feels right for your family.
- Say it with your last name. Read the full name out loud several times and check the initials.
- Use the middle name for family. A grandparent’s name in the middle spot honors them without changing the feel of a modern first name. For example, Quinn Eleanor or Rowan Thomas keeps the first name unisex and adds a personal touch.
Find more pairings in our list of middle names for girls and boys.
Choosing a Gender-Neutral Name
Some names that started as unisex now lean strongly toward one gender. Ashley, for example, was once mostly a boys’ name and is now used mostly for girls. If you want a name to stay balanced, you can check how it is used for each gender on the SSA’s baby names website, which breaks down its data by sex. Names drawn from nature, such as River, Sage, and Rowan, often stay more evenly shared.
For a step-by-step approach to narrowing down your list, read our guide on how to choose a baby name.
REFERENCES
Frequently Asked Questions
A gender-neutral, or unisex, name is one that is commonly given to both boys and girls, such as Avery, Riley, Jordan, or Quinn.
Yes. Some names shift toward one gender over the years. Ashley was once more common for boys and is now used mostly for girls.
The Social Security Administration publishes baby name data every year, broken down by sex, so you can see how often a name is given to boys and to girls.
A classic middle name such as Grace, Rose, James, or Henry can balance a modern unisex first name. You can also choose a second unisex name if you want the full name to stay neutral.
Hello! I’m Emma Carter, born in 1990, and a passionate child development specialist. Alongside my work, I have a deep love for helping parents discover beautiful and meaningful baby names. I believe a name is more than just a label — it’s the beginning of a child’s story. I draw inspiration from languages, cultures, traditions, and even the hidden meanings behind names to help find the perfect fit for every little one’s bright future.