Trending Gender-Neutral Baby Names for 2023
These unisex names are creating a buzz with modern expecting parents.
Naming your baby-to-be is a monumental task with many things to consider: What does the name mean? What will their initials be (and will it give them an unflattering nickname)? How will it sound on an adult? Do I know anyone with the name who is a total jerk? Is it unique enough without being too different? What if my child shares the same name with five other children in their grade? These details play a significant role when deciding what will ultimately impact your little one’s identity.
The problem is you haven’t met your baby yet, let alone gotten a sense of their personality, interests, or preferences. Putting a name to someone without really knowing them is challenging, which is one reason why gender-neutral names have become popular with parents in recent years. Choosing a name that’s neither overly masculine nor feminine leaves room for your kiddo to grow into a version of themselves that they’ll hopefully feel comfortable with and proud to be. Another idea is using a gender-neutral option as a middle name your child can go by later if desired.
Also, gender-neutral names are just great choices, and their fluid attributes can better fit the person wearing them without being tied to a traditional “girl name” or “boy name.” What’s more, if you’re waiting to find out the sex of your baby at birth, you’re only on the hook for finding one name versus two—because how much harder is it to find a baby girl name and a baby boy name at the same time, for the same person?
Therefore, if you’re searching for that perfect fit for your budding babe, check out these trending 2023 unisex baby names, their origins, and their meanings:
- Adair (Irish): “Fort of the oak”
- Alex (Greek): “Defender of men”
- Blake (English): “Black”
- Cameron (Gaelic): “Crooked nose”
- Charlie (French): “Free man”
- Chris (Greek): “Follower of Christ”
- Devon (English): “From Devon”
- Ellis (Welsh): “Whole”
- Harper (German): “Harp player”
- Jordan (Hebrew): “Descending”
- Parker (English): “Park keeper”
- Reese (Welsh): “Rhys’s son”
- Riley (Irish): “Rory’s little one”
- Robin (German): “Bright fame”
- Sam (Hebrew): “God has heard”
- Taylor (English): “Tailor”
- Tyler (English): “Tile-maker”
- Valentine (Latin): “Strong, healthy”
- Wren (English): “Small bird”
Still not convinced? Don’t fret! Many familiar names have been used as male and female monikers throughout history, but you might not have considered them unisex. For example, the name Ashley has a long history as a male name in England, France, and Germany, but it peaked in popularity in the U.S. in the early ’90s and has since been associated as a female name. Similarly, Billy (also spelled Billie), derived from William, was traditionally a masculine name for most of the 1800s but has exponentially grown in favor as a girl’s name thanks to icons like Billie Holiday and Billie Eilish. Therefore, if you feel pulled toward a specific name, research and learn more about it before making your decision.
Finally, don’t be afraid to select a name you may commonly associate with a particular gender and use it differently. For instance, the name Rowan for a girl is gaining popularity (how cute!), and Whitney is lovely for a boy. Whatever your thought process or method for choosing your baby’s name, the most important thing is that you love it and feel it’s the right choice for your child.
