Unisex names can be used for both boys and girls, including traditional names like Pat and modern names like Jordan. Some non-traditional names, like London and Austin, are also considered gender-neutral. Unisex names can lead to social awkwardness and confusion, but some parents choose them to keep the same name regardless of gender. Unisex names declined in popularity between 1995 and 2005, as some names became associated with one gender or the other over time.
Unisex names are those that can be used for both boys and girls. Classic examples include Pat, Chris, Robin, Terry, Lee and Jamie. Names like Reese, Jordan, Alexis, Angel, Hayden, Dylan, Taylor, Cameron, Jayden or Jaden, Avery, Peyton or Payton and Riley were popular for both genders in 2005. Some non-traditional names, such as those that have their own origins of place names, such as London, Austin, and Dakota, are considered gender-neutral. Some names have different meanings depending on whether they are used to name a boy or a girl.
Unisex names occur in other cultures. For example, almost all Sikh first names are gender-neutral. Gender is indicated by the child’s surname, with Kaur signaling a girl and Singh a boy. Such names can also be found in Japanese and Nigerian cultures, among others.
Social awkwardness is a concern when choosing a unisex name for a baby boy. Some parents choose such names so that they can keep the same name regardless of the child’s gender. Unisex names can, however, lead to teasing or insulting of a child when they are assumed to be of the wrong gender.
This can be particularly problematic during early childhood when children emphasize gender differences as part of their psychological development. Studies have also shown that men with unisex names aren’t as successful in business as their clearly named competitors. This confusion can sometimes be avoided by choosing a middle name that clearly indicates gender.
Unisex names declined in popularity between 1995 and 2005. One reason for this change is that some names that started out as appropriate for both boys and girls have become primarily associated with one gender or the other over time. While Erin, Lynn, Carroll, Meredith, Leslie and Madison were once considered unisex names, they are now mostly used to name baby girls. Similarly, Adrian, Blake and Carson have generally ceased to be considered unisex names and are now mostly applied to males. Nouns that start as gender-neutral are more likely to end up being considered feminine than masculine.
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