14 Gorgeous Gender-Neutral Baby Names From The '80s

Calling all parents to be: Whether you're a millennial longing for some nostalgic naming inspo from your youth or a zoomer seeking retro vibes from before your time, the 1980s are a treasure trove of adorable baby names. For instance, the most popular '80s-inspired names of 2026 include timeless classics like Elizabeth, Maria, and Matthew. But what if you're looking for something a little more versatile? Something that will suit any baby, whether your bundle of joy is a boy or a girl?

You're in luck, as the '80s also boasted plenty of fantastic gender-neutral names, from puckish nicknames to star-studded monikers worthy of the red carpet. And you don't have to consume the entire Brat Pack filmography searching for ideas (unless you really want to). To help you quickly and easily round out your shortlist, we scoured data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) on America's top names of the 1980s, identifying the best fun and unisex options for modern babies.

For pithy, upbeat energy, gender-neutral nicknames are a perfect choice, and the 1980s had a lot to offer in this regard. As shown in the SSA data, chart-topper James had to make room for two gender-neutral demonyms that decade: Jamie, which ranked 152nd for boys and 34th for girls, and the alternative spelling Jaime, which ranked 198th for boys and 173rd for girls. Either of these would still be totally precious for a new baby today, but you can make this name extra personal with your own twist on the spelling — why not Jaimie, Jaimee, or even Jayme?

Another cute nickname with the power to stand alone is Terry. Originally short for longer names like Terence and Theresa, this unisex classic is now a solid choice unto itself. No wonder it ranked 122nd for boys in the 1980s. For a little girl, you can easily keep the Y at the end, or switch things up with an I in spellings like Terri or Teri.

Short and sweet Alex also brings big '80s vibes, with multiple variations making the SSA's list for both boys and girls. Alexander and Alex ranked for little boys, while Alexandra and Alexis ranked for little girls, creating fertile ground for this nickname. Today, use Alex as-is for any kiddo, or have fun with the vowels in spellings like Alyx or Alix.

To capture perfect '80s vibes, look no further than the stars of the age — there are some great unisex baby names inspired by iconic '80s stars. For instance, Corey. The 1980s had not one, but two idols named Corey — Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, who starred together in the seminal '80s vampire flick "Lost Boys." So it should come as no surprise that Corey was the 62nd most popular name for boys at the time, with the alternate spelling Cory following close behind at number 70. And this name would be equally adorable for a young lady, whether you want to use Haim and Feldman's Corey spelling, the nearly as popular Cory, or go rogue with the more feminine Cori.

Similarly, the name Drew came in 174th for boys in the '80s, but can definitely work for all genders. Just look at Drew Barrymore, a beloved '80s child star who appeared in movies like "E.T." long before her rise to contemporary talk show fame. She proves that Drew, while originally a shortening of Andrew, can suit a girl just as well as a boy.

You can also pull inspo from your favorite A-listers who were born in the 1980s and rep some of the era's most popular names. For instance, universal mega-star Taylor Swift was born in 1989, and her name ranked in the SSA's top 200 for both boys and girls that decade. Take note, Swifties: This is your perfect excuse to name a kid after your idol.

The Social Security Administration typically delineates its top name lists by gender, splitting the data into two separate categories for boys and girls. But who says you can't borrow from either column in your search for the perfect fit? For instance, take these top-200 boys' names from the 1980s and imagine how cute they'd be for a girl: Blake, Cameron, Devin, and Dylan all make for fabulous unisex options.

On the flip side, some names that ranked high for girls in the '80s would be equally fitting for a little boy. Top unisex picks from the SSA's female list include Morgan, Robin, and Jordan, which all carry a plucky, adventurous vibe that transcends gender.

Lastly, an honorable mention: The SSA data reveals that Casey was a top contender for any '80s baby, ranking 86th most popular for boys in the U.S. and 103rd for girls. But if none of these names hit quite right, you don't have to limit yourself to one particular era — for other options, here are more gender-neutral baby names you may not have considered.