Once upon a time, names were neatly divided into pink and blue. In this corner, you have your Marys, Margarets and Catherines. And in that corner, you have your Johns, Roberts and Williams. It was all very predictable, going way, way back to the Middle Ages. Today, however, the naming game is all about breaking the mold. Enter the gender-neutral revolution, where names like Avery, Quinn, and Rowan effortlessly sidestep tradition, valuing individuality over outdated labels. Whether stylish, strong, or refreshingly modern, unisex names are rewriting the rulebook—one Riley, Jordan, and Hayden at a time.
But is this a one-way street? The rise of gender-neutral names is often portrayed as a balanced, progressive shift toward inclusivity, but a deeper look reveals a clear pattern: most so-called gender-neutral names start as traditionally male names and are increasingly adopted for girls—but not the other way around.
Take Riley, Avery, Quinn, Morgan and Taylor, for example. All were once considered male names before gaining popularity for girls. Over time, as their use for females increased, they started to decline for boys. This pattern—where a name shifts from male to unisex to predominantly female—suggests that parents are comfortable giving their daughters "strong" or "masculine" names, but there's less willingness to give boys "feminine" names.
Celebrities have always had an outsized influence on baby name trends, and their love for gender-neutral names is rubbing off. Stars like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds named their daughter James, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have a daughter named Lincoln, and Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis named their daughter Wyatt. These choices have helped normalize and popularize gender-neutral naming in mainstream culture. But you don't often hear about celebs naming their sons Emily or Olivia.
The Great Gender Equalizers: 10 Names That Play for Both Teams
We thought it would be fun to look at the most balanced gender-neutral names. Here's a countdown of the Top 10 that are used with the most neutrality, or the most gender-blind.
10. Justice
A name that plays fair on all sides, Justice isn’t just blind—it’s also well-balanced between boys and girls. A virtue name with an edge, it ensures you’re always on the right side of history. Justice derives from Latin justus “just, fair.” The concept of justice is critical to civilized human behavior; as the great philosopher Plato said: “Knowledge without justice ought to be called cunning rather than wisdom,” while his famous student Aristotle said: “The virtue of justice consists in moderation, as regulated by wisdom.”
9. Remington
From polished aristocracy to Wild West grit, Remington can suit a poet or a sharpshooter. Whether boy or girl, this name brings a refined yet rugged appeal—just like the timeless typewriters and rifles that bear its name. It comes from a place name in West Yorkshire, England and means “town near the boundary stream,” signifying a settlement established along the banks of a stream. It's been used as a surname since the 14th century (first given to the Lord of the Manor). Though it's increasingly used for girls, it remains more popular for boys thanks to the handsome and dashing eponymous hero of the popular detective series Remington Steele (1980s).
8. Shiloh
A biblical name with a whisper of mystery, Shiloah defies gender labels with a quiet, sacred grace. First occurring in Genesis 49:10 and given with reference to the Messiah (“until Shiloh come”), the name comes from Hebrew and means "tranquil, peaceful" (consistent with the Jewish expectation that the Messiah should be a peacemaker). Additionally, this is the name of the ancient city where the Israelites assembled after crossing the River Jordan into the Promised Land around the 15th century BCE and notably where the Ark of the Covenant dwelled for several centuries prior to the Temple of Solomon. Today only scant ruins of Shiloh are left but it remains an important symbolic and spiritual place within the Judeo-Christian narrative.
7. Phoenix
Rising from the ashes of boy-versus-girl distinctions, Phoenix is pure fiery rebirth. Mythology never picked a side, and neither does this name—it simply soars. The name ultimately comes from the Greek φοινιξ (phoinix) “crimson-red,” in reference to the bird’s colorful feathers and tail of brilliant crimson. The Phoenix is a symbol of rebirth and renewal by virtue of its 500 year life-cycle during which time it builds a nest and ignites the pyre in a brilliant, fierce flame. From these ashes springs a phoenix reborn (emblematic of idealism and hope for any gender).
6. River
No dams can hold this one back! A nature name that rushes freely between genders, River is fluid, adaptable, and endlessly cool. A powerful symbol in all early mythologies of the early Indo-Europeans, rivers are a moving constant in an otherwise stationary world. Until the invention of modern transportation, rivers served a critical purpose as the main superhighways of the past and were vital to the development of civilization. It's use as a gender-neutral forename arose among the counter-culture generation of the 1960s when unconventional “nature” names like River, Rainbow, Sky, Leaf and Echo came into vogue.
5. Dakota
Meaning "friend and ally," Dakota stands with everyone, never picking a side. Whether you picture open plains or modern edge, this name is as boundless as the land itself. It's the name of a Native-American subtribe of the Sioux; the Dakotas are an indigenous people who dwelled in the northern region of the Mississippi Valley speaking a Siouan language. It derives from dakhota meaning “friendly” (sometimes translated as “allies”). The tribe's name was first recorded by Lewis & Clark in 1804 as Dar co tar. The Dakotas were particularly admired for their physical strength, unwavering courage, mental sharpness and moral righteousness (apropos, making them valuable friends or allies to other native tribes and European settlers alike).
4. Rory
Whether you’re a "red king" or a "red queen," Rory wears the crown of unisex royalty. Fiery and fearless, this name refuses to be boxed in. It derives from Old Irish-Gaelic Ruaidhrí (Ruairidh in Scots-Gaelic) meaning, literally, “red king” (or "queen" in the feminine). The name is found in Ireland since medieval times and was famously borne by the last undisputed High King of Ireland, Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair (12th century). Ruaidrí was anglicized to Rory under oppressive British rule when men with Gaelic-looking names had a difficult time finding work. The name fell from use in Ireland after the Middle Ages but the Scots kept it in popular circulation until it managed to return to Ireland in the 18th century where it remains a consistent favorite throughout the island. Incidentally, America is the only place that employs Rory as gender-neutral.
3. Charlie
Short for Charles or Charlotte, but just as often standing alone, Charlie is the ultimate free spirit—fitting, since it means “free.” No matter who wears it, it’s always charming. lt comes from Old High German karl “free and independent". All of the names deriving from Charles owe their endurance to Charlemagne (“Charles the Great”), the historic 8th/9th century King of the Franks and first unifying leader of Western Europe after the Fall of the Roman Empire. Due to his renown, the name was assumed among the royal and noble classes across Continental Europe, cementing its lasting popularity. The colloquial “-ie” suffix was attached to English names during the Middle Ages as a form of endearment (Robbie, Willie, Richie). These diminutives became especially popular as stand-alone female names in the late 19th century (Nellie, Jessie, Addie, etc.).
2. Blake
“Burns and shines” sums it up perfectly—Blake flickers between genders like a poetic wildfire. Whether evoking literary genius or modern cool, this name is effortlessly stylish. Like many gender-neutral names, Blake began as a medieval surname. In this case, from a nickname. Blake comes from one of two opposing Olde English words: blæc “black” or blac “white,” yet remarkably, both words having been traced to the same prehistoric Indo-European root *bhleg- itself of dual meaning “to burn” (darken, blacken) and “to shine, flash” (white, colorless). In medieval England, both nicknames were used to describe a person’s physical features: either dark like the native Celts or pale like the Jutes, Angles and Saxons. Sometime after the 11th century, the bynames merged together into the same surname making it impossible to determine its original derivation. Blake Lively sent the name climbing the female charts after Gossip Girl (2007-2012).
1. Parker
The ultimate equal-opportunity name, Parker started as an occupational surname but now just means “cool.” Whether keeping parks or breaking gender norms, Parker does it all with ease. The word itself is borrowed from the Old French parchier “keeper of the park” (during the Middle Ages, a “park” was generally defined by a large enclosed preserve of land set aside by the monarchy, a member of the nobility, or some wealthy landowner for the leisurely sport of hunting). As the overseer of park lands, particularly in its protection from opportunists of the local peasantry poaching for deer, the parker held a lofty position in medieval English society (an important and dignified trade even if some of his duties included doling out rather harsh punishments). This was one of the earliest surnames on record in England, first appearing in the famous Domesday Book of 1086 as “Parcher.” It's currently ranked #91 for boys in America and #121 for girls.
What’s Next?
As more parents move away from traditional boy/girl names, we can expect gender-neutral names to keep rising. Some experts predict that even classic names like James and Noah may soon be seen as unisex. Plus, with more people creating unique names or reviving old ones (looking at you, Marlowe and Ellery), the possibilities are endless.
So, will the future of baby names be completely gender-free? Maybe not entirely—but one thing’s for sure: names are no longer just about tradition. They’re about choice, freedom, individuality and a little bit of fun.
What do you think about the trend? Would you pick a gender-neutral name for your child? Let’s talk names in the comments!
Photo Cred: Tima Miroshnichenko