8864 Unisex Baby Names From Across Cultures

From Ala to Zeya, a treasury of names starting with each letter of the alphabet.

Written by Kavita Kankani, MBA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 7 years

Kavita has a diverse background in finance, human resources, and teaching. She did her MBA in Finance and HR at Solapur University, and bachelor in Education at Pune University. After working for three years in the banking industry, Kavita took up teaching before moving to writing.

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Edited by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Fact-checked by Sakshi Mishra, MSc Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 3 years

Sakshi holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and a master’s in Bioinformatics from Panjab University, India. She has worked on a research project, “In silico ligand designing exhibiting anti-diabetic activity derived from responsible phytochemicals of selected herbs.

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Last Updated on Aug 8, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

When it comes to naming your baby, there are no hard and fast rules. With the recent trends shifting towards unisex baby names, the traditional gender norms have been revoked. Celebrities like Kim and Kanye named their daughter North while Kristen and Dax named their daughter Lincoln.

Historically, while some cultures had laws preventing the use of unisex names, others have maintained a degree of flexibility in naming practices. In Native American cultures, names were tied to nature, qualities, or achievements rather than gender. Such names were given to a child based on the traits they seemed to possess. Similarly, Tibetan cultures had names made of familiar words and, thus, were used commonly for both genders. The culture majorly relied on their lineage, and thus such names reflected familial or communal values more than gender-specificity. Several African cultures, such as the Bantu group of Shona, have used unisex names to indicate worship and days of birth. Indian names have been known to follow a unisex format since immemorial, especially when interpreted into other languages. For instance, among the Sikh community, names such as Baldeep, meaning lamp of strength, Dalbir, meaning soldier, and Gurdeep meaning radiance of the guru, are all gender-neutral. Such names thus require a suffix such as Singh or Kaur to identify whether the person is male or female.

In modern times, there has been a significant rise in unisex names among the Vietnamese and Israeli populations. However, in Vietnamese, unisex names are identified by the use of the middle name, while the Israelis use Hebrew unisex names as first names. With celebrities choosing unconventional names for their children, character names from books, movies, and television shows are becoming inspirational for those seeking names that defy traditional gender norms.

The increasing acceptance of non-binary and transgender identities further fuels the popularity of unisex names, thus acting as the medium for communicating one’s gender. So, if you are still unaware of the gender of your baby, but want to decide on a name beforehand, do consider taking a look at this list of unique unisex names.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Evelyn	Girl	Life; Hazelnut; Lake; Beauty
Logan	Boy	Little hollow
Wyatt	Boy	Brave at war; War strength
Brooklyn	Girl	Broken land; Marsh; One who lives near a brook
Hunter	Boy	A Hunter; Pursuer
Naomi	Girl	Pleasantness; Beautiful; Straight; Direct
Cameron	Boy	One with the crooked nose
Kennedy	Girl	Helmeted head; Armored head
Nolan	Boy	Champion; Famous; Loud; Descendant of Nuallán
Kai	Boy	Sea; Keeper of the keys; Shell; Pier; From the sea

Christian	Boy	A Christian; Follower of Jesus Christ
Jordan	Boy	To descend; To flow down
Parker	Boy	Keeper of the park
Piper	Girl	Pipe player; Pepper
Rylee	Girl	Rye clearing
Peyton	Girl	Fighting man's estate; Warrior's town
Rowan	Boy	Red-haired; Little redhead; Descendant of Ruadhán; River in paradise
Micah	Boy	Who is like Yahweh?
Iris	Girl	Rainbow; Bringer of Joy; Irish flower; Colored part of the eye
Maria	Girl	Bitter; Beloved; Of the sea

Alexis	Girl	Defender; Helper
Eden	Girl	A place of delight; Pleasure; Plain; Wealthy bear
Milo	Boy	Soldier; Peaceful; Favored
Andrea	Girl	Strong; Manly
Ashton	Boy	Ash tree town; From the ash tree farm
Juniper	Girl	Young; Evergreen; A type of tree
Alex	Boy	To defend; To protect
Bryce	Boy	Freckled; Strength; Swift; Speckled
Reese	Girl	Enthusiasm; Ardor
Kaiden	Boy	Loving companion; From the wetlands; Warrior

Kimberly	Girl	Royal fortress meadow; Cyndeburg's field; War chief
Mckenzie	Girl	Son of Coinneach (handsome, beautiful, good)
Ruth	Girl	Friend; Famous spear
August	Boy	Respected; Esteemed; Venerable; Exalted
Bradley	Boy	A broad clearing or field
Harmony	Girl	Unity; Concord
Jasper	Boy	One who brings treasure; Treasurer
Kendall	Girl	Kent river valley; Valley of kings
Holden	Boy	Hollow valley
Riley	Boy	Clearing of rye; Valiant

Phoenix	Boy	A bird that gets reborn from ashes; Dark red; Excellent person
Kameron	Boy	Crooked nose
Wren	Girl	Small, singing bird
Remington	Boy	Settlement by the Riming stream
Cody	Boy	The son of Oda; Descendant of the helpful one
Lennox	Boy	Place of elms
Nico	Boy	Victory of the people
Payton	Girl	Fighter's estate; Noble; Descendant of Peatan
Tatum	Girl	Tata's homestead
Raegan	Girl	Little king

Cassidy	Girl	Curly hair; Curly head
Ember	Girl	Spark; Precious stone
Niko	Boy	Victory of the people
Jaiden	Boy	Thankful one; God will judge
Lane	Boy	Narrow lane; Path; Meadow
Dallas	Boy	From valley meadows; Valley house
Rory	Boy	Red king; Joyful
Karson	Boy	Son of marsh-dwellers
Caiden	Boy	Strength; Battle spirit; Gentle
Cohen	Boy	One who performs sacred rituals; Priest

Aspen	Girl	Aspen tree; Shaking or quaking tree
Kenzie	Girl	Handsome; Beautiful; Good
Rylan	Boy	A meadow on an island; Little king
Nicole	Girl	Victory of the people
Jaylen	Boy	Tranquil; Blue-crested bird
Arlo	Boy	Fortified hill; Between two highlands
Sage	Unisex	Type of herb; Wise person
Grady	Boy	Noble; Renowned; Illustrious
Kira	Girl	Throne; Lord; Young; Humiliator of the enemy; Sunbeam; Ray of light; Sparkling
Rylie	Girl	Courageous; Rye clearing

Royce	Boy	Rose; Ruddy; Of renowned king
Drew	Boy	Manly; Masculine; Virile
Anaya	Girl	God answers; Misfortune; Adversity; Without a superior; He who no one can lead; Lord Vishnu; Brother; Spanish town
Noel	Boy	Christmas
Corey	Boy	Cauldron; Curly-haired; Maiden
Lyric	Girl	Songlike
Ari	Boy	Lion; Eagle; Brave; Most holy; Sun-like; Visible; Generous; Chief; Superior
Cadence	Girl	Rhythm; Flow; Falling
Leland	Boy	Fallow land
Maren	Girl	Of the sea; Star of the sea; True love; Ocean loving

Jamie	Boy	Supplanter; Holder of the heel
Harley	Boy	Hare's meadow
Jaime	Boy	Supplanter; One who follows; Holder of the heel
Kaison	Boy	Calf; Pollen; Warrior
Lucca	Boy	Bringer of light; Marshy
Kora	Girl	Maiden; Heart; Horn; Of the Lord; Fuel; Fire
Saige	Girl	A wise person; A type of spice
Ariel	Boy	Lion of God
Addison	Boy	Son of Adam; Son of Addie
Kobe	Boy	Holder of the heel; May God protect; City of Kobe; Tortoise

Asa	Boy	Physician; Healer; Goddess; Morning; Child of light
Murphy	Unisex	Sea battle; Descendant of Murchadh
Blair	Girl	Field; Plain; Battlefield
Lorelai	Girl	Murmuring rock; Alluring temptress
Zaire	Boy	River that swallows other rivers
Kylo	Boy	Sky
Baylee	Girl	Bailiff; Administrator
Colby	Boy	From a coal town; From a dark town
Imani	Girl	Faith; Belief
Sutton	Boy	Southern homestead

1 2 3 … 89 »

Throughout history, names were often closely linked to gender roles, and societal expectations. Unisex names stand as a testament to the power of language to shape and reflect our world. From Tibet to India to America, while some cultures have grown to adopt gender-neutral names, others have had them from time immemorial. These names highlight the ongoing evolution of societies' attitudes toward gender and identity. The above names are some such unique names that draw their awe-inspiring meanings from diverse cultures, histories, nature, and global religions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which unisex baby names are associated with different colors?

Unisex baby names are associated with different colors based on cultural and personal interpretations. For example, 'Indigo' is a unisex name associated with indigo, representing leadership (1). the name 'Green' represents nature and growth. 'Azure' is linked to the blue of the sky and sea. 'Jade' is a green gemstone and a bluish-green color, symbolizing elegance and natural beauty.

2. Why would someone choose a unisex name?

By choosing a name that is not distinctly associated with a specific gender, individuals can challenge traditional norms and encourage inclusivity. Unisex names also offer flexibility and can be seen as more modern and progressive. Additionally, a unisex name can provide practical benefits, such as avoiding potential bias or discrimination in certain situations and providing a sense of uniqueness and individuality.

3. What are some unisex but feminine names?

Unisex names that have a feminine touch include Charlie, Taylor, Parker, and Remi' These names can be used for both boys and girls. Still, they are commonly associated with femininity due to their softer sounds and cultural references.

4. What are some unisex names associated with royalty?

Some unisex names associated with royalty include 'Emyr,' Welsh for 'king' or 'lord.' Another option is 'Reagan,' an Irish name meaning 'little king.' The name 'Rex' is also derived from Latin and directly translates to 'king.' These names can evoke a sense of regality and grandeur without being tied to a specific gender.

5. Is Kai considered a unisex name?

Yes, the name 'Kai' is considered a unisex name. It originates in various cultures and can be used for both sexes. 'Kai' means 'sea' in Hawaiian and 'forgiveness' in Japanese, highlighting its gender-neutral nature.

6. Is Karina a unisex name?

Karina' is typically considered a feminine name rather than a unisex name. It is derived from 'Katherine' and is commonly associated with girls.

7. What are some unisex names commonly used in India?

In India, several popular unisex names are widely embraced. One such name is 'Kiran,' derived from the Sanskrit word 'kiraṇa,' meaning 'ray' or 'ray of light' or 'beam of light.' Another commonly used unisex name is 'kamal,' which denotes a lotus. Additionally, the name 'Lucky,' commonly referred to as a lucky person, is a popular choice for both sexes in India.

8. What are some unisex baby names inspired by mythology?

Here are some unisex baby names inspired by mythology. 'Loki,' originating from Norse mythology, is a name that possibly means 'lock (2).' 'Phoenix,' derived from Greek mythology, symbolizes rebirth and is associated with dark red (3).' Another option is 'Rowan,' which has roots in Celtic mythology and is connected to the rowan tree, often seen as a protective symbol. 'Rowan' is also associated with the color 'red (4).'

9. What are some unisex baby names inspired by pop culture?

Unisex names influenced by pop culture have become popular. Examples include 'Harley,' associated with Harley Quinn from DC Comics, meaning 'hares' meadow.' 'Peyton,' inspired by pop culture and known from 'One Tree Hill,' means 'fighting man's estate.' 'Charlie,' meaning 'free man,' draws inspiration from various characters, including Charlie Bucket from Charlie and the chocolate factory.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

WHAT IS INDIGO?
https://indigo.site.seattleartmuseum.org/what-is-indigo/
LOKI
https://sites.psu.edu/miamidolphins/2017/03/16/loki/
Mountain ash
https://treetour.wwu.edu/details.aspx?treeID=54
The Phoenix Through the Ages
https://www.swarthmore.edu/bulletin/archive/wp/october-2008_the-phoenix-through-the-ages.html

Infographic: Exquisite Unisex Baby Names From Across Cultures

Unisex Baby Names From Across Cultures blend diverse traditions with rich history and cultural influences. Whether you seek a classic name or one infused with contemporary flair, our infographic below has several options that fit most preferences. Explore them to find a perfect name for your precious child. If you find our infographic useful, share it with your fellow parents to introduce them to the world of Unisex Baby Names From Across Cultures.

Unisex Baby Names From Across Cultures(infographic)

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