Gender-Neutral Baby Names: Complete Guide with Meanings (2025)

Choosing the perfect name for your baby is one of life's most exciting decisions. Gender-neutral baby names have been trending upward dramatically since the 1990s, making up 17% of names in 2023 — with no signs of slowing down this year. Whether you're keeping your baby's gender a surprise, embracing inclusive naming practices, or simply love the versatility of unisex names, gender-neutral baby names offer endless possibilities for your little one.

From nature-inspired choices like River and Sage to modern favorites like Avery and Quinn, gender-neutral names are more stylish and diverse than ever before. These names provide your child with flexibility and freedom while often carrying beautiful meanings rooted in various cultures and traditions. In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover over 200 gender-neutral baby names with their meanings, origins, and current popularity trends to help you find the perfect name for your bundle of joy.

Why Choose Gender-Neutral Baby Names?

The rise in gender-neutral naming reflects broader cultural shifts toward inclusivity and flexibility. Modern parents are drawn to these names for several compelling reasons that go beyond just keeping baby's gender a surprise.

Inclusivity and Future Flexibility

Gender-neutral names provide children with the freedom to define themselves without the constraints of traditional gender associations. These names work beautifully regardless of how your child expresses their identity as they grow. Many parents appreciate giving their children names that won't need to be changed or adapted as they mature and discover themselves.

Breaking Traditional Stereotypes

More recently, the maps show how dramatically usage has increased across the entire country, indicating that gender-neutral names are becoming mainstream across all regions. These names help challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes, allowing children to pursue their interests and talents without preconceived notions based on their names.

Professional Advantages

Research suggests that gender-neutral names can provide professional advantages in certain fields. Names like Taylor, Cameron, or Jordan don't immediately reveal gender, which can help reduce unconscious bias in hiring processes and professional communications.

Celebrity Influence and Modern Trends

They join celebrities like Meghan Fox (who named her son Journey), Paris Hilton (mother of Phoenix), Gigi Hadid (who chose Khai) and Lea Michele (mother of Ever) in choosing gender-neutral names. Celebrity choices have significantly influenced the popularity of gender-neutral names, making them more socially acceptable and trendy.

Top 50 Popular Gender-Neutral Names with Meanings

Here are the most popular gender-neutral names currently trending, complete with their meanings and origins to help you make an informed choice.

Nature-Inspired Favorites

River has become incredibly popular in recent years. River is pretty straightforward compared to the rest on this list; its etymology translates to the Anglo-Norman word meaning "river." This flowing name represents life, movement, and natural beauty.

Sage carries both botanical and intellectual meaning. Sage is of Latin origin and means "wise." It's perfect for parents who value both nature and wisdom.

Rowan offers Celtic charm with nature connections. A nature-inspired name meaning "little redhead," Rowan is vibrant and memorable. This name works beautifully for children of any background.

Aspen brings mountain freshness to mind. Inspired by the quaking tree, Aspen is elegant and refreshing. It's ideal for families who love the outdoors or mountain adventures.

Classic Unisex Choices

Avery has surged in popularity recently. This gender-neutral name has an adorable meaning: "ruler of elves." It combines whimsy with strength, making it appealing to many modern parents.

Quinn offers Irish heritage with modern appeal. Quinn is a Gaelic and Irish surname that first became popular as a first name in the US. In the 1960s it was a popular boy's name, but it has become gender-neutral over the years.

Charlie remains timelessly popular across generations. It works as both a standalone name and nickname for Charles or Charlotte, providing flexibility as your child grows.

Dylan has maintained its appeal for decades. Dylan (No. 28 for boys, No. 696 for girls) shows its current usage patterns, demonstrating its true unisex nature.

Modern Trendy Options

Logan continues to rank highly among gender-neutral choices. Last year, Logan was in the top spot. But this year, Logan fell to number three. This Scottish name meaning "small hollow" has maintained strong popularity.

Parker represents the trend toward surname-as-first-names. Parker, Riley—just some of the baby names the website Names.org predicts will be the most popular this year. Originally meaning "park keeper," it has a contemporary professional sound.

Riley brings Irish charm with universal appeal. This classic name has British and Irish roots and means "wood clearing."

Additional Top Names

Here are more popular gender-neutral names with their meanings:

• Atlas: Greek origin, "to carry" - inspired by the mythological figure
• August: Latin origin, "majestic" - perfect for summer babies
• Blake: Old English, "dark" or "fair" - simple yet sophisticated
• Cameron: Scottish Gaelic, "crooked nose" - traditional with modern appeal
• Drew: Welsh origin, "wise" - often used as a nickname for Andrew
• Ellis: Welsh origin, "benevolent" - short but impactful
• Emery: German origin, "brave" and "powerful"
• Finley: Irish origin, "fair warrior"
• Hayden: English origin, "hay valley"
• Jordan: Hebrew origin, "to flow down"
• Kendall: English origin, "royal valley"
• Lane: English origin, "narrow road"
• Marlo: English origin, "driftwood"
• Noah: Hebrew origin, "rest" or "comfort"
• Peyton: English origin, "fighting man's estate"
• Reese: Welsh origin, "enthusiasm"
• Skylar: Dutch origin, "scholar"
• Taylor: English origin, "tailor"

Gender-Neutral Names by Origin and Culture

Exploring names from different cultures can help you find meaningful connections to your family heritage or simply discover beautiful names with rich histories.

Celtic and Irish Origins

Celtic names often carry deep historical significance and natural imagery. Bryn, meaning "hill" in Welsh, offers geographical beauty in a short, memorable package. Bryn – A Welsh name meaning "hill," Bryn is short and striking.

Sloan provides an interesting historical connection. Sloan(e) is the anglicized form of an Old Irish clan name, from the Gaelic Ó Sluaghhadáin (descendents of Sluaghhadáin). Sluaghhadáin uses the Irish diminutive suffix "-áin" attached to the ancient Gaelic personal name "Sluaghadh" meaning "raid." Therefore, as a diminutive, Sloan means 'little raider.'

Other beautiful Celtic options include:

• Cael: Irish origin, "slender"
• Erin: Irish origin, "Ireland"
• Morgan: Welsh origin, "sea-born"
• Teagan: Irish origin, "little poet"

Scandinavian and Germanic Roots

Nordic names often emphasize strength and natural elements. These names carry the legacy of Viking culture and Scandinavian traditions:

• Ari: Norse origin, "eagle"
• Kai: Scandinavian origin, "sea"
• Leif: Norse origin, "heir"
• Storm: English/Germanic, "tempest"

Japanese-Inspired Names

Looking to Japan for inspiration for gender-neutral baby names is a smart idea because the names have such beautiful meanings. Japanese names offer unique sounds with profound meanings:

• Aki: "bright" or "autumn"
• Haru: "spring" or "clear weather"
• Ren: "lotus" or "love"
• Yuki: "snow" or "happiness"

Latin and Romance Language Origins

Latin-derived names provide classical elegance with timeless appeal:

• Adrian: Latin origin, "from Hadria"
• Phoenix: Greek/Latin origin, "deep red"
• Robin: Germanic/Latin, "bright fame"
• Val: Latin origin, "strong"

Modern and Unique Unisex Name Ideas

For parents seeking something distinctive, these contemporary and unique gender-neutral names offer originality while maintaining usability.

Atmospheric and Weather Names

Airy, sky-bound names will fly high in 2024. Names that evoke the open sky, like Aura, Cielo, and of course, Kylie Jenner's baby name, Aire, are poised to soar in the coming year.

Weather-inspired names capture the beauty and power of natural phenomena:

• Aura: Latin origin, "gentle breeze"
• Cloud: English origin, atmospheric imagery
• Rain: English origin, "abundant blessings"
• Snow: English origin, "frozen precipitation"
• Thunder: English origin, "loud sound"

Landscape and Geographic Names

Landscape names particularly appeal to parents in search of frills-free names that are easily understood, but not endemically popular. They're also inherently gender-neutral, a strong selling point for many contemporary namers.

Geographic names offer endless inspiration:

• Canyon: Spanish origin, "deep gorge"
• Cove: English origin, "small bay"
• Dell: English origin, "small valley"
• Harbor: English origin, "safe place"
• Mesa: Spanish origin, "table land"
• Ridge: English origin, "mountain crest"

Color-Inspired Names

Color names provide simple beauty with modern appeal:

• Gray/Grey: English origin, neutral elegance
• Indigo: Greek origin, "Indian dye"
• Sage: Latin origin, both herb and color
• Slate: English origin, "blue-gray stone"
• Teal: English origin, "blue-green color"

Virtue and Concept Names

Names representing positive qualities or concepts:

• Brave: English origin, "courageous"
• Justice: Latin origin, "fairness"
• Liberty: Latin origin, "freedom"
• Peace: Latin origin, "tranquility"
• True: English origin, "genuine"

Musical and Artistic Names

For creative families, these names reflect artistic sensibilities:

• Cadence: Latin origin, "rhythm"
• Harmony: Greek origin, "agreement"
• Jazz: American origin, musical style
• Lyric: Greek origin, "words of a song"
• Sonnet: Italian origin, poetic form

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Gender-Neutral Name

Selecting the ideal gender-neutral name requires thoughtful consideration of multiple factors that will impact your child throughout their life.

Consider Sound and Flow

Practice saying potential names with your last name to ensure they flow well together. Pay attention to rhythm, alliteration, and how the full name sounds when spoken aloud. Practice saying the first name and last name together, paying close attention to the rhythm of the name, the syllables and ease of saying the full name.

Short, crisp names like Max or Sage pair well with longer last names, while longer first names like Sebastian or Alexandria might work better with shorter surnames. Consider how the name will sound in various contexts - from playground calls to professional introductions.

Think About Nicknames

"It's likely that gender-neutral names are even more common in everyday life than the Social Security data would suggest," the website notes. "For instance, Charlie is a gender-neutral baby name that is used as a nickname for Charles and Charlotte."

Many traditional names can become gender-neutral through nicknames:

• Alex (Alexander/Alexandra)
• Chris (Christopher/Christine/Christina)
• Sam (Samuel/Samantha)
• Jamie (James/Jamesina)

Check Initial Combinations

And, of course, remember to check the initials of your unisex baby names to make sure you don't accidentally spell something unintended. Initials will be required at some point, so plan ahead! Avoid combinations that might create unfortunate acronyms or abbreviations.

Consider Cultural Sensitivity

When choosing names from cultures other than your own, research their significance and pronunciation. Ensure you're honoring rather than appropriating cultural names, especially those with religious or ceremonial importance.

Test for Professional Settings

Imagine your child's name in professional contexts - on business cards, in email signatures, or during job interviews. Gender-neutral names can be advantageous in professional settings, but ensure the name maintains dignity and clarity.

Plan for Different Life Stages

Consider how the name will suit your child at different ages. Parents are aware of naming not just babies but the grownups they will become. A name that works for a toddler should also work for a teenager and adult.

Regional Considerations

Louisiana takes the top spot with 17.5% of babies given gender neutral names. Rhode Island has the fewest number of babies with unisex names at 9.1%. Consider your geographic location and local naming trends, though don't let this limit your choices if you love a particular name.

Family Heritage and Meaning

Choose names that resonate with your family's values and heritage. Many parents find meaning in names that honor ancestors, represent family traits, or connect to important places or experiences.

Future Flexibility

Remember that your child may want to use variations of their name as they grow. Names like Elizabeth offer multiple nickname options (Liz, Beth, Ellie), while shorter names like Blake offer less variation but can stand alone beautifully.

Gender-neutral baby names offer incredible versatility and beauty for modern families. Whether you choose a nature-inspired name like River, a classic option like Charlie, or a unique modern choice like Zephyr, these names provide your child with flexibility and freedom to define themselves.

The trend toward gender-neutral naming reflects our evolving understanding of identity and inclusivity. According to data from baby name website names.org, gender-neutral baby names have been trending upward dramatically since the 1990s, making up 17% of names in 2023 — with no signs of slowing down this year. This growing acceptance means your child will be part of a generation where diverse naming choices are celebrated and understood.

As you make this important decision, remember that the perfect name is one that feels right to you and your family. Consider the meaning, sound, and future implications, but ultimately trust your instincts. Your child's name will be one of the first gifts you give them - make it one that reflects your hopes, values, and love.

Ready to explore more naming options? Use a Baby Name Generator to discover additional possibilities and find inspiration for your perfect gender-neutral name. Whether you're drawn to traditional choices or seeking something completely unique, the right name for your little one is out there waiting to be discovered.