44 Gender-Neutral Baby Names You May Not Have Considered

When it comes to picking baby names, it seems like everyone has an opinion. Some people default to the classics, or choose something with religious significance. Others chase a sense of nostalgia, mining their favorite decade for ideas (like these popular baby names from the '70s that deserve a resurgence). But historically, many of these traditional names have been divided down gender lines, limiting your options — and making it hard to prepare a list if you're leaving the gender a surprise until birth.

Enter the wide-ranging realm of unisex names. Not only are gender-neutral names often adorable, but they have great versatility, making them a choice that can fit every baby — and every season of your little one's life. Whether your kid turns out to be an athlete or a poet, a tomboy or a girl's girl, or a wonderfully unique mashup of identities, unisex names have the charm and range to fit any possible future for your baby.

Whether or not you're an outdoorsy family, nature terms are a wonderful way to capture a special meaning for your baby without leaning into gendered names. Think about plant names like Sage, representing a fragrant garden herb; Rowan, which comes from a mountain tree; or Briar, for a thorny rose. While they all represent different botanicals, each carries a similarly green and wholesome vibe.

Bird names like Wren or Robin are also sweet for any little one, conveying a sense of freedom and bright-blue skies as you invite your baby to soar above the clouds. You could also pluck your name straight from the heavens with ideas like Elio, which represents the sun, or Cosmo, which brings the entire cosmos to mind. And for water-lovers, there are plenty of peaceful, unisex names like River and Rain. You could even opt for Sailor, which isn't quite a nature name, but certainly carries a sense of ocean waves.

Place names provide another quirky but accessible way to brainstorm some gender-neutral baby names for your shortlist. You could take name inspo from somewhere meaningful to you — maybe the place you and your partner first met, got married, or had your honeymoon. After all, your baby is part of your love story. Consider highlights from your own life and travels, including destination names like Caspian or Cairo, state names like Indiana, and city names like Brooklyn or Austin.

You could also choose an aspirational place name that represents a certain vibe or quality you want to manifest for your child. For instance, Holland sounds peaceful, London feels refined, and Sydney seems easygoing. Or for little wanderers, Everest, Denali, and Dakota are all unisex options that evoke adventure and wide open spaces. And just think how special it could be to someday take your little one to visit their namesake locale. That'll be a picture worth more than a thousand words.

They say that less is more. So if you want something a little less formal for your bundle of joy, why not skip the extra syllables and choose a nickname from the get-go? These days, many nicknames are unisex, and offer an immediate sense of fun and whimsy. A top choice: Once a shortened version of longer names like Charles or Charlotte, Charlie is a fantastic fit for any gender. In 1910, Charlie was still used as a name for American babies, but only 5% of those were girls (via Quartz). In 2016, female Charlies accounted for 51%, showing that this nickname has become a truly unisex option

Or how about short-and-sweet Kit, which is sometimes a nickname for Christopher or Katherine? Kit is also a name for a baby fox, which could be a fun and forest-y theme for your nursery. We also love Remy, which can act as a nickname for Remington or stand on its own. And don't overlook Stevie, which is charming for a boy or girl. (And, as a bonus, brings to mind nostalgic icons like Stevie Wonder, Stevie Ray Vaughan, or '70s music and style icon Stevie Nicks.)

Repurposing last names has become a hot trend, even if it's not exactly a new idea. In fact, some of today's most common first names started that way. As naming expert Laura Wattenberg told Today, "Many surnames are so well established in our first-name culture that we don't even think of them as surnames at all. ... You can find examples across the generations." But you don't necessarily have to pull from your own family tree to find a cute, surname-inspired option for your newborn. Last names like Harper, Emerson, and Parker are totally en vogue for the 2020s, and Murphy, Ridley, or Sutton would suit a boy or a girl.

You could also consider borrowing a last name from your favorite actor, athlete, or musician. For example, Keaton or Beckham both have a lovely, unisex ring. And names like Bowie, Lennon, or Hendrix could gift your baby with an edge of rock-star cool. As a bonus, Lennon also has a nice traditional meaning — it originally comes from an old Irish word for "lover." Imagine that.

If themed naming isn't your speed, why not consider some popular, all-purpose baby names? We know that many parents want to pick something unique or uncommon for their equally unique kiddo, but there's also something to be said for familiar names. After all, they become popular for a reason. And recent naming trends have featured plenty of fabulous non-binary monikers.

According to the Social Security Administration, gender-neutral options like Quinn, Wyatt, and Avery have all appeared among America's top names of the 2020s. Or, if those are a little too ubiquitous for your tastes, you can range farther down the list with ideas like Jesse, Ryder, or Peyton. Of course, modern lists aren't the only place to find name ideas. There are plenty of vintage baby names you can make feel fresh in 2026, including gender-neutral options like Billie and Marion that have stood the test of time.