In today’s day and age, the idea of “girls’ names” and “boys’ names” can feel a little outdated. While there’s nothing wrong with a more traditional male or female name, there’s also nothing wrong a name that works for both girls AND boys, otherwise known as unisex names.
Even if you’ve never thought you’d like these gender neutral names, you might be surprised by how adorable some of these are! Here are 25 of our favorite monikers that work for either gender.
1. Alex
You’ve definitely heard Alex as a nickname for Alexander or Alexandra, making it one of the oldest gender neutral nicknames to date. However, Alex — just Alex, not as a nickname — has been seeing a rise in popularity. As a full name, it currently stands at no. 128 for boys and no. 1607 for girls.
2. Bailey
This adorable name is popular with both sexes but is currently much higher for girls. It ranks no. 116 for girls but only at no. 1945, but it’s definitely on the rise. Some famous babies named Bailey are the daughters of Scott Baio and Stella McCartney.
3. Charlie
One of our favorites! Charlie has long been thought of as the nickname for Charles, but it’s also a popular nickname for the name Charlotte. As a girls’ name, it’s currently ranked no. 185 and as a boys’, no. 227. Celebrities like Jerry O’Connell are loving this unusual choice for little girls and so are we.
4. Drew
You might think Drew is typically used as a nickname for the male name Andrew, but that’s not the case! Think about one of America’s undeniable sweethearts, Drew Barrymore. Right now, Drew is ranked no. 397 for little boys, but we anticipate seeing a rise in this moniker for girls, too.
5. Gray
The name Grayson for boys has been insanely popular in the last few years and the nickname Gray is just too cute. This might be perceived as just a name for boys, but Gray — sometimes spelled Grey — is really catching on right now. The trendy name is currently ranked no. 663 for boys, and no. 2421 for girls.
6. Harper
Once the Beckhams gave the name Harper to their only daughter, it immediately shot up in popularity for girls, putting it at no. 10 in 2016. But parents really like it for their little boys too, considering that it’s ranked no. 728 among boy names.
7. Hayden
This is already a popular unisex name among celebrities (think Hayden Panettiere and Hayden Christensen), so we’re not surprised that this gender neutral name is holding on strong. Currently more popular with boys, the name ranks at no. 169, but girls named Hayden aren’t far behind at no. 205.
8. Jaden
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett’s son Jaden has made this a very popular moniker, currently placing it at no. 219. As a girls’ name, it’s currently far less popular with a ranking of no. 4668, but it’s still an adorable, elegant name for both genders.
9. Jordan
Although it’s usually thought of as a boys’ name (think Jordan Peele or even Michael Jordan), Jordan makes it into the top 300 names for girls, too! Actress Jordan Carver or singer Jordin Sparks are a few great examples. For boys, Jordan is ranked no. 67, and for girls, no. 289.
10. Jules
Often a nickname for Julie or Julia, Jules has become popular with the boys over the years. We can’t help but think of famous author Jules Verne! For girls, it’s ranked no. 2041 and for boys, it doesn’t quite make the list yet. But in France, Jules for boys is currently ranked no. 6 and is predicted to become a hit over here in the U.S. in the next few years — so keep an eye out.
11. Kennedy
This a classic name with powerful connotations, and it’s commonly for both sexes. However, this moniker often thought of as a girls’ name because it’s vastly more popular for females. This strong name is currently coming in at no. 59 for girls and no. 2758 for boys.
12. Kyle
This is probably one of the more traditionally gendered names on this list, usually skewing towards boys. But think of ladies like actress Kyle Richards and you might see how this name can be adorable for a little girl, too. Kyle still reigns as a popular boys name at no. 199, but it’s on the rise for girls.
13. Logan
We’d be lying if we didn’t know PLENTY of men and women named Logan nowadays; for both genders, it’s a very popular moniker. The film Logan, based on the “real name” of X-Men‘s Wolverine, has helped encourage a spike in this name, but it’s been a moniker on the rise for some time. Currently, Logan is ranked no. 18 for boys and no. 384 — and rising — for girls.
14. Micah
Traditionally a boys’ name, Micah is now being given to girls as well — possibly as an alternative to the increasingly popular Michaela. Currently, Micah for girls is ranked no. 996 and no. 115 for boys.
15. Nico
Actress Thandie Newton may have given the name Nico to her daughter, but it’s clearly a more popular choice for boys with a ranking of no. 496 versus no. 2674 for girls.
16. Parker
The preppy name is still as popular now as it was in the early 2000’s. It currently comes in at no. 87 for boys, but it’s becoming an extremely trendy name for girls. For female babies, the name ranks at no. 217, thanks in part to indie queen Parker Posey, who’s started a female skew towards the name.
17. Phoenix
This edgy name is trending for both baby boys and baby girls; for males, it ranks at no. 238 and for females, no. 422. Former Spice Girl Mel B. is a fan — she gave the name to her daughter.
18. Reagan
Reagan, which occasionally is spelled Regan, is typically more popular with girls, but certainly works as a boys’ name as well. Reagan, which ironically means “little king,” is ranked no. 999 for boys and a higher no. 106 for girls.
19. Riley
About 5,000 baby girls are named Riley each year, so that makes sense that it’s on the rise, currently coming in at no. 47 on the girls’ list. For boys, it’s less popular, but still in the top 200 with a ranking of no. 173.
20. River
Actor River Phoenix gave this name a traditional association with boys, but since Kelly Clarkson gave the name to her daughter, it’s slowly increasing in popularity for little ladies. Currently, River for girls is ranked no. 286 which is seriously catching up to the no. 214 ranking for boys.
21. Rowan
Irish name Rowan, which means “little red head,” is popular with both sexes. For girls, it’s ranked no. 239, and for boys, no. 182. One of the most famous Rowans is the one and only Mr. Bean, otherwise known as British actor Rowan Atkinson.
22. Sawyer
Sawyer has always been more popular for boys, maybe going all the way back to Mark Twain’s famous character Tom Sawyer. But recently stars like Sara Gilbert have taken to giving the name to their daughters, which, no doubt, will make it more popular for females in the next few years. Sawyer is ranked no. 248 for girls and no. 97 for boys.
23. Sasha
A traditionally female name, this name has been seeing a huge spike in popularity for boys recently. Perhaps thanks to Sacha Baron Cohen (who pronounces is “Sasha”), the moniker is at no. 1462 for males. However, the name Sasha, which means “defender of men,” is still more popular for ladies at no. 569.
24. Skyler
Skyler — often spelled Skylar for girls — is ranked no. 352 for boys and no. 302 for girls. The name is actually a variation of the name Schuyler, which is a Dutch surname. Needless to say, some of the characters from the smash hit Hamilton (the Schuyler sisters, of course) may be responsible for this rise in female popularity.
25. Taylor
Once typically used just for girls, Taylor — partly thanks to Taylor Lautner — has been climbing the ranks with boys. As a boys’ name, it sits at no. 435, and for girls, it’s ranked no. 77. For ladies, current reigning lady of pop Taylor Swift has been keeping this once outdated name in the limelight.