Unisex baby names are on the rise, according to name experts, with a new wave of parents becoming more accepting of the gender identities their children may take on in the future.
Sophie Kihm, name expert at Nameberry, says data shows names that typically can be used for both boys and girls are climbing in popularity.
She says: ‘Gender neutral names are rising both because they give children flexibility should they not identify with their birth gender, but also because gender neutral names are modern choices with contemporary style.’
In England and Wales, the number of names considered unisex has increased by 56%, which is why we’ve seen a rise.
For example, names like River or Riley was originally considered to be a boys’ name, but are now given to both both boys and girls. In 2014 actress, Blake Lively, named her daughter, James, traditionally a boys’ name.
In 2021, 6% of American babies were given androgynous names – which is five times as many as there were in the 1880s.
As well as the issue of gender identity, the trend could also be put down to the rise in less common names.
Parents are swapping traditional and popular names for rarer and atypical alternatives – the 603% increase in Barbie as a baby name is only evidence of this. Though traditionally short for Barbara, using the nickname as a registered moniker suggests people are seeking creative options.
Among the new popular unisex names in England and Wales, Marlowe is a top choice, along with Blair and Ronnie – names that previously weren’t in the top 1000, that now are.
The fastest-rising unisex names in England and Wales:
Baby girls have been named:
- Marlowe, up 266 spots from 2020-21
- Oakley, up 249 spots
- Blair, new to the Top 1000
- Ronnie, new to the Top 1000
- Noa, up 190 spots
Baby boys have been named:
- Noa, new to the Top 1000
- Marlow, new to the Top 1000
- Ren, new to the Top 1000
- Ocean, new to the Top 1000
- Sunny, up 195 spots
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