Choosing a baby name is an exciting and important decision. You have to find options you love but also ones you think will suit the new member of your family. Parents go about choosing baby names in a variety of ways – sometimes they find inspiration in other parts of their life, and other times they simply go with what feels right. In other words, the journey to find your baby name will be as one-of-a-kind as your son or daughter.
For many new moms and dads, it’s important to choose a name that fits into their values. And for an increasing number of people, that means finding a name that’s gender neutral (suitable for both a boy and a girl). Read on for more about how to choose a baby name that’s gender-neutral.
A new trend in baby names
Unisex baby names are becoming increasingly popular. Why? Some say it has to do with how open-minded the millennial generation is. With the generation’s focus on the gender equality issue, it makes sense that they would choose names that allow their children to develop their own gender personality. Unisex baby names take a couple of different forms: using traditionally masculine names for girls (Like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynold’s daughter James) or using names that are truly not gender specific (like Martha Stewart’s daughter Alexis).
Why go gender neutral?
There are a few great reasons to name your son or daughter something neutral – besides just being open-minded and accepting. For one, if you’d like to wait to find out your baby’s sex until after giving birth, unisex baby names allow you to develop some ideas you love a few months beforehand. For another, neutral names are often creative and unique, giving you the option of choosing a name that’s a little nontraditional.
Tips for choosing a gender-neutral name
If you’re not sure whether you want to go gender-neutral or not, there are a couple of ways you can come to a compromise when choosing unisex baby names. First, try altering the spelling of the name to make it slightly more masculine or feminine. For example, Charlie is a traditionally masculine name, but using a spelling like Charley could make the name a bit more girly. Second, pair your unisex choice with a more gender-specific middle name. Cameron Rose is clearly a girl’s name, while Cameron Xavier is perfect for a son. Finally, if there’s a name that runs in your family, play with the idea of using it for a nontraditional gender – this could make your choice even more meaningful.
Gender-neutral baby name ideas
Need some ideas for unisex names? Here’s a list of 10 gender neutral names that could work for a boy or a girl to get your creative juices flowing:
