These days, gender reveals are an increasingly popular way to find out your baby's sex and announce it to the world. But if you’re one of those parents who would prefer to be surprised in the delivery room rather than in front of friends and family while cutting cake, these unisex names will save you a lot of in-the-moment deliberation and stress.
Plus, you might be surprised: Many monikers that have traditionally been thought of as a boy or girl name make a great gender-neutral name, too. You’ll love seeing how so-called boy’s names work for a baby girl, and vice versa — sometimes all it takes is one creative parent (or a famous celebrity) to change the perspective.
Here, some of our favorite unisex baby names for a baby boy or a baby girl. You can't go wrong with any of these gender-neutral ideas.
Gender-neutral names
1. Alex
The variations of this classic unisex name can be written a few different ways on your child's birth certificate: Alex is, of course, a go-to nickname for Alexandra and Alexander, but it can also be shortened from Alexis, Alexia, Alexa or Alexandria — or simply opt for Alex on its own.
2. James
You might not have considered the name James as being gender-neutral until actress Blake Lively gave her daughter the name in 2017. Nicknames like Jim or Jimmy work well for a boy, while Jamie is a sweet option for a girl.
3. Blake
Much like her daughter, Blake Lively knows what it’s like to navigate the world with a unisex name. Blake is a popular unisex name for both boys and girls, landing number 210 on the Social Security Administration's (SSA) list of top names in 2020 for boys, and 219 the same year for girls.
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4. Kyle
Real Housewives fans will instantly recognize where the inspiration for this unisex baby name comes from: Kyle Richards of the Beverly Hills cast.
5. Drew
Drew Barrymore, Drew Carey, Drew Brees. This four-letter name is easy to pronounce, easy to spell and easy to choose, whether you're expecting a boy or a girl.
6. Taylor
Another old-school favorite unisex baby name that has stood the test of time. Not only does the name Taylor work for both girls and boys, but it’s a common surname, too.
7. Kennedy
Although currently more popular for girls than boys — the name took spot 72 on the SSA's 2020 list for girls, compared to 996 for boys — Kennedy is a noble name perfect for a natural-born leader.
8. Jordan
Jordan is a classic gender-neutral baby name, nabbing spot 435 in 2018 for girls and 82 for boys. Celebrities like Jordan Sparks and Jordan Peele come to mind.
9. Parker
Parker is one of those charming gender-neutral names that works just as well in the baby years as it does into adulthood. Plus, it sounds perfect alongside basically any middle or last name.
10. Avery
This unisex baby name was one of the most popular names for girls in 2020, landing spot 19, but works equally well for boys (it nabbed spot 212 that same year).
11. Ryan
Ryan might seem like a boy’s name, but it's become more popular over the past few years for baby girls. You can also choose an alternate spelling, such as Rhyan or Ryann.
12. Brooklyn
Brooklyn Decker rocks her name, and Brooklyn Beckham sure does, too. This location-inspired name is a no-brainer.
13. Cameron
Cameron Diaz is one famous Cameron, but this unisex baby name works also works well for boys. Plus, the nickname Cam couldn’t be cuter.
14. Logan
Although often thought of as a boy’s name, Logan is absolutely a unisex baby name that has an equally nice ring for any lucky little girl.
15. Emerson
Perhaps this baby will be a creative like his or her philosopher namesake: Ralph Waldo Emerson. Consider this unisex baby name if you envision raising a free thinker.
16. Charlie
More and more, this now-unisex baby name is being used for girls. Think: Rebecca Romijn’s daughter with husband Jerry O'Connell. Charly or Charley are sometimes used as alternate spellings.
17. Ezra
This unisex baby name also made our list of the top hipster baby names, and for good reason. Ezra works perfectly for a boy or girl, is easy to spell and blends seamlessly with many middle or last names.
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