Naming a human is stressful. It’s arguably the first big "adult" test you face as a parent because you’re basically branding a person for life before you even know if they’ll be a morning person or a total night owl. Lately, though, the vibe has shifted. People are moving away from the rigid "pink or blue" categories. Instead, names of both genders—those flexible, unisex options like Charlie, River, or Sage—are absolutely exploding in popularity.
It’s not just a trend for the sake of being trendy.
According to data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the rise of gender-neutral names has been climbing steadily for over a decade. Parents are looking for something that feels less like a box and more like a blank canvas. If you look at the 2024 and 2025 naming charts, you’ll see that names previously parked in the "boys' section" are being reclaimed by girls, and vice versa. It’s a total linguistic blender.
The Psychology Behind Why We Choose Names of Both Genders
Why now? Honestly, it’s a mix of cultural shift and a desire for individuality. We live in an era where "traditional" feels a bit dusty.
Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist who has studied generational shifts for years, notes that parents today value uniqueness more than their own parents did. In the 1950s, everyone was a Michael or a Mary. Today, being one of five "Jacksons" in a kindergarten class feels like a failure to some. Choosing names of both genders provides a layer of protection against that. It feels modern. It feels like you’re giving your kid a bit of an edge in a world that is increasingly fluid.
Then there’s the "resume" factor. You've probably heard the anecdotes about "blind" hiring. Some parents choose gender-neutral names specifically so their child isn't immediately categorized by a hiring manager or an algorithm before they even walk into an interview. Whether that actually works is up for debate, but the intent is there. It’s a tactical move.
The "Stealing from the Boys" Phenomenon
Historically, this has been a one-way street. Girls take "boy names," and then those names become "girl names" forever. Think about Ashley, Beverly, or Courtney. All of those started as rugged, masculine choices.
Once a name becomes popular for girls, many parents of boys abandon it. It’s kind of a bummer, really. This "masculinity flight" means that names like Madison or Leslie, which were once firmly for men, are now almost exclusively female in the public consciousness. But that’s changing too. We’re seeing a new wave of parents who aren't afraid to give their sons names that have a softer, more melodic quality.
Real Examples of Names Crossing the Divide
Let's look at James.
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For centuries, James was the ultimate "boy" name. Then, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively named their daughter James, and the internet basically broke. Now, it’s a wildly popular middle name for girls. Is it a name for both genders? Officially, yes. But the data shows it’s still overwhelmingly male for first names, while the "neutrality" is happening in the secondary slot.
Then you have Logan.
- In the early 2000s, it was a Top 20 name for boys.
- By 2017, it cracked the Top 10.
- Now, it’s a Top 50 name for girls in several US states.
It’s a linguistic chameleon. It fits a toddler, a CEO, and a grandparent equally well. That’s the magic of these choices. They don't age out. They don't feel "too cute" when the kid is forty.
The Nature Connection
A huge chunk of the names of both genders movement comes from the outdoors. Nature doesn't care about the gender binary.
Names like Wren, Juniper, Sky, and Rowan are inherently neutral because they describe the physical world. A tree is just a tree. A bird is just a bird. These names feel grounded and "earthy," which is a big aesthetic goal for Gen Z and Millennial parents. Research from name databases like Nameberry shows that "Botanical Neutrality" is one of the fastest-growing search categories. It’s a way to be unique without being "weird."
The "Parker" Test: How a Name Evolves
Take a name like Parker.
Originally an English occupational surname (someone who looked after a park), it’s been a staple for boys for decades. But look at the charts over the last five years. The gap is closing. In some years, Parker is almost a 50/50 split between the genders.
This is what experts call a "true" unisex name. It’s not a boy name being borrowed; it’s a name that has successfully landed in the middle. Other names in this "Goldilocks Zone" include:
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- Emerson (The "son" ending doesn't stop it from being a girl's favorite)
- Finley (Super popular in the UK and catching up in the US)
- Dakota (A classic that has hovered in the middle for thirty years)
- Remi (Varying spellings like Remy make this one a total wildcard)
Common Misconceptions About Unisex Naming
Some people think choosing names of both genders will make life harder for the kid. They worry about "confusion" at the doctor’s office or on the first day of school.
Honestly? Most kids today don't care.
In a classroom where you have kids named X Æ A-12 or North or Apple, a girl named Elliott or a boy named Indigo isn't going to raise an eyebrow. The "confusion" is usually an adult problem. Kids are remarkably adaptable. In fact, having a name that doesn't immediately signal gender can lead to some interesting social experiments in digital spaces like Discord or gaming lobbies, where the person's identity is shaped by their actions rather than a prefix.
The "Surname as a First Name" Trick
One of the easiest ways people find names for both genders is by raiding the graveyard of old surnames.
- Sullivan
- Miller
- Collins
- Lennox
These names feel prestigious. They have a certain "old money" vibe, but because they are surnames, they don't have a gendered history in the same way that "William" or "Elizabeth" does. It’s a loophole. It allows parents to give a name that feels established and traditional without the gendered baggage.
The Global Perspective
It’s not just an American or English thing, though the "unisex" trend is definitely strongest in Anglophone countries.
In France, names like Camille have been used for both genders for centuries, though they lean female now. In Japan, names like Aoi (Blue/Hollyhock) or Hinata (Sunflower/Facing the sun) are frequently used for both boys and girls, depending on the kanji used to write them.
The Western trend is actually a bit late to the party.
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The global shift toward names of both genders suggests a broader human desire to move past labels. As we become more interconnected, our naming conventions are becoming more fluid. We’re borrowing from different cultures and different histories to create something new.
How to Actually Choose a Name of Both Genders
If you’re staring at a blank list and feeling overwhelmed, you need a strategy. Don't just pick something off a "Top 10" list because that’s how you end up with a kid who is "River B." in a class with three other Rivers.
First, check the "Trend Velocity." Use the SSA's "Popularity of a Name" tool. If a name has jumped 500 spots in two years, it’s a "flash name." It might feel dated in a decade (think "Tiffany" in the 80s). You want something with a slow, steady burn.
Second, say it out loud with your last name. Over and over. "Casey Miller" sounds great. "Casey Case" sounds like a cartoon character. Names of both genders often end in "y," "ie," or "n" sounds, which can clash with certain surnames.
Third, consider the spelling. If you choose a name like Jordan, the spelling is pretty standard. But if you try to make it "unique" (Jordyn, Jorden, Jordin), you’re actually just making it more gendered. "Jordyn" is almost exclusively used for girls now. If you want true neutrality, stick to the most common, traditional spelling.
Actionable Steps for the Naming Process
Choosing from the pool of names of both genders requires a bit of research and a lot of gut feeling. Follow these steps to narrow it down:
- Audit your family tree for surnames. Look for grandmothers' maiden names. Names like Greer, Blair, or Marlow often hide in family trees and make for incredible, sophisticated unisex first names.
- Use the "Starbucks Test." Go to a coffee shop and give the name you’re considering. See how it feels to have it called out. See if people ask, "How do you spell that?" or if they assume a gender immediately. It’s a low-stakes way to "test drive" the identity.
- Check the initials. This is a classic mistake. "Assher Riley Smith" seems fine until you realize the initials are ARS. With unisex names, people often get creative with middle names, so make sure the monogram doesn't create a playground disaster.
- Look at the "Sibling Set." If you have a son named "Robert" and a daughter named "Indigo," the styles might clash a bit too much. Try to find a cohesive "vibe" for the whole family.
- Ignore the "Gendered" sections of websites. Many naming sites are still stuck in 2005. Look for lists specifically curated as "non-binary," "unisex," or "neutral."
The world of names is changing. Whether you’re looking for something rugged like Wilder or something soft like Briar, the options for names of both genders are more diverse than ever. It’s a chance to give a child a name that grows with them, regardless of who they turn out to be.
Focus on the sound, the heritage, and the meaning. Everything else is just noise.