Baby Names
12 unisex names to love for baby
If you’ve just found out you’re expecting a baby, you’re probably already thinking of names for your new arrival. One of the hottest trends in baby naming is unisex baby names—they fit equally for baby boys and baby girls. Unisex names can work well if you’re choosing not to find out your baby’s sex ahead of time, and they can also be a unique or fun way to use a family name like Kennedy, Collins or Morgan. Some baby names may be more associated with one gender or the other, but a tweak in spelling can make them more gender-neutral. Read on to see 12 unisex baby names that just might inspire you.
Fun unisex baby names:
- Avery: This name has Anglo-Saxon and French roots and is generally thought to be derived from the name Alfred. It’s now especially popular in European and English-speaking countries, including the United States (in 2020, Avery was the 19th most popular name for girls and ranked 212th for boys). It means “ruler,” “powerful” and “elf.”
- Quinn: This gender-neutral name has Irish, Celtic and Gaelic roots. The literal meaning is “descendent of Conn” (or O’Cuinn, an Irish surname), however, it’s also thought to mean “wise” or “intelligent.” Parents-to-be who want a slightly more feminine spelling could consider Quinne.
- Reese: If you want your baby to grow up to have “passion” and “enthusiasm” for life, pick this unisexname of Welsh origin that means exactly those things. Actress and business mogul Reese Witherspoon is currently the most famous person with this fun name. It can also be spelled Reece, if you want to put an even more unique spin on this gender-neutral baby name.
- Alexis: Equally appropriate for baby boys and baby girls, this name has Russian origins as the diminutive of Alexander. It means “defender of the people,” a worthy goal for any person. Depending on your preference, you might choose from nicknames such as Allie, Al, Lexi or Lex.
- Finley: Derived from the Gaelic last name Fionlagh, this unisex name means “hero” or “fair warrior” and might inspire courage. One alternate spelling is Finnley, which could be shortened to Finn as a cute nickname.
- Darcy: Jane Austen fans will recognize this name from Mr. Darcy, the male love interest for heroine Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice. The name is originally the French last name “d’Arcy” which indicated someone was from the village of Arcy and can also mean “dark” (maybe a good idea for a dark-haired baby?). In modern literature, one of the female leads in bestselling author Emily Giffin’s Something Borrowed was named Darcy. The book was later turned into a film, and actress Kate Hudson played the character.
- Adair: This name has English and Scottish roots, meaning “fortune” or “spear.” It may have originally come about from the last name Edgar, but in modern times, it’s a popular baby name for boys and girls.
- Dallas: American moms and dads will know that this unisex name is a large city in Texas (the city also inspired a popular television series of the same name). It has Scottish origins that mean “from the meadow dwelling.” Sports fans might know baseball coach Dallas Green and film buffs will recognize actress Bryce Dallas Howard.
- Sidney: This unisex name is of Old English origin and means “wide meadow.” Some parents prefer alternate spellings including Cydney (most often used for girls) and Sydney (the same spelling as one of Australia’s largest cities).
- Teagan: Meaning “little poet” from Irish origins and “pretty, fair” from Welsh traditions (spelled Tegan), a little boy or a little girl would be equally happy to sport this sweet gender-neutral name.
- Sterling: British history buffs won't be surprised that this name has English roots, since the country’s currency is in pounds sterling, as in silver. It also means “starling” or “little star.” This name used to be overwhelmingly more popular for boys, but of late parents have been naming their baby girls this valuable title.
- Tyler: This name is a great example of baby names inspired by professions. Tyler is of English origin Tyler and means “roofer” or “tile maker.” The original Tylers were probably boys, but now girls also proudly wear this name.
Claire Bradley
Looking for more gender-neutral baby name inspiration? Try Huggies’ Baby Name Finder!
Looking for more gender-neutral baby name inspiration? Try Huggies’ Baby Name Finder!