150+ Gender-Neutral Names for a Progressive World in 2025

In a world increasingly embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion, the significance of names—particularly gender-neutral names—has taken on new depth.

A name is more than a label; it’s a marker of identity, culture, history, and self-expression. As conversations around gender fluidity and non-binary identities gain momentum, gender-neutral names are emerging as powerful tools for creating a more inclusive and progressive society.

What Are Gender-Neutral Names?

Gender-neutral or unisex names are those that are not specifically associated with a particular gender. Unlike traditional names, such as “Michael” or “Emily,” which are generally perceived as masculine or feminine respectively, names like “Taylor,” “Jordan,” or “Alex” can be used regardless of gender identity.

These names offer flexibility and freedom, allowing individuals to define their identities on their own terms. They also reflect the evolving understanding that gender is not binary but exists on a spectrum.

The Rise of Gender-Neutral Naming

The growing popularity of gender-neutral names is not a coincidence. It aligns with a broader social movement that challenges rigid gender norms and promotes personal autonomy. Here are some key drivers of this shift:

1. Recognition of Non-Binary and Trans Identities

Non-binary individuals, who do not identify strictly as male or female, often seek names that reflect their authentic selves without tying them to a specific gender. For transgender people, choosing a new name can be a vital part of transitioning. A gender-neutral name provides a safe, affirming option.

2. Parental Preference for Flexibility

Many parents today opt for gender-neutral names for their children to avoid societal gender biases. A name like “Rowan” or “Skyler” allows children to grow into their identities without being constrained by traditional gender expectations.

3. Workplace Equality and Bias Reduction

Studies have shown that gendered names can lead to unconscious bias in hiring and professional settings. A gender-neutral name may help to level the playing field, allowing individuals to be judged by their skills and qualifications rather than assumptions based on gender.

Cultural Shifts and Celebrity Influence

Cultural norms around naming are changing rapidly. In popular culture, celebrities like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds named their daughter “James,” breaking gender conventions. Singer Billie Eilish and actor Elliot Page are also influential figures in normalizing conversations around gender identity and self-expression.

Moreover, tech companies and schools are increasingly allowing individuals to choose display names and pronouns, further embedding inclusivity into everyday systems.

Examples of Gender-Neutral Names

Here is a list of popular and meaningful gender-neutral names:

• Alex – Short for Alexander or Alexandra, but often used on its own.

• Quinn – Irish origin, meaning “wisdom” or “chief.”

• Riley – Meaning “courageous,” of Irish origin.

• Morgan – Of Welsh origin, meaning “sea-born.”

• Avery – Meaning “ruler of the elves,” popular in both the U.S. and UK.

• Charlie – Derived from Charles or Charlotte.

• Skyler – Meaning “scholar,” modern and versatile.

• Rowan – A nature-inspired name linked to the rowan tree.

• Dakota – A Native American tribal name meaning “friend” or “ally.”

• Jordan – A biblical name, tied to the River Jordan, used universally.

100 gender-neutral names

1. Adley – Hebrew origin, meaning “God is just”
2. Aiden – Gaelic origin, meaning “little fire”
3. Amos – Hebrew origin, meaning “carried”
4. Arden – Celtic origin, meaning “high” or “noble”
5. Aria – Hebrew/Italian origin, meaning “lion” or “air”
6. Asher – Hebrew origin, meaning “happy”
7. Atlas – Greek origin, meaning “enduring”
8. Aubrey – English origin, meaning “elf ruler”
9. Avery – English origin, meaning “ruler of the elves”
10. Bailey – Old English origin, meaning “bailiff” or “steward”
11. Blair – Scottish origin, meaning “plain” or “field”
12. Blake – English origin, meaning “dark” or “fair-haired”
13. Briar – English origin, meaning “thorny bush of wild roses”
14. Brooks – English origin, meaning “of the brook”
15. Camden – Scottish origin, meaning “winding valley”
16. Cameron – Scottish origin, meaning “crooked river”
17. Casey – Irish origin, meaning “vigilant” or “watchful”
18. Charlie – English origin, meaning “free one”
19. Cleo – Greek origin, meaning “glory”
20. Dakota – Native American origin, meaning “friend” or “ally”
21. Dallas – Irish origin, meaning “from the meadow dwelling”
22. Darcy – French origin, meaning “from Arcy”
23. Dorian – Greek origin, meaning “from Doris” or “gift”
24. Drew – Welsh origin, meaning “wise”
25. Ellery – English origin, meaning “island with elder trees”
26. Ellis – Welsh origin, meaning “benevolent”
27. Emerson – English origin, meaning “son of Emery”
28. Emery – German origin, meaning “brave”
29. Evelyn – English origin, meaning “wished-for child”
30. Flynn – Irish origin, meaning “descendant of Flann” or “red-haired”
31. Finley – Scottish origin, meaning “fair warrior”
32. Frankie – Latin origin, meaning “free one”
33. Grey – English origin, a color-inspired name
34. Harlow – English origin, meaning “army hill”
35. Harper – English origin, meaning “harp player”
36. Hayden – English origin, meaning “heathen” or “fire”
37. Hollis – Old English origin, meaning “near the holly trees”
38. Hunter – English origin, meaning “one who hunts”
39. Indie – English origin, meaning “independent”
40. Jaden – Hebrew origin, meaning “thankful”
41. Jamie – Hebrew origin, meaning “supplanter”
42. Jayden – Hebrew origin, meaning “God has heard”
43. Jessie – Hebrew origin, meaning “gift”
44. Jordan – Hebrew origin, meaning “to flow down”
45. Jules – Latin origin, meaning “youthful”
46. Justice – Latin origin, meaning “fairness”
47. Kai – Hawaiian origin, meaning “sea”
48. Keegan – Irish origin, meaning “son of Egan”
49. Kendall – English origin, meaning “valley of the river”
50. Kori – Greek origin, meaning “maiden”
51. Lane – English origin, meaning “path” or “roadway”
52. Lennon – Irish origin, meaning “lover”
53. Lennox – Scottish origin, meaning “elm grove”
54. Levi – Hebrew origin, meaning “joined”
55. Logan – Scottish origin, meaning “little hollow”
56. London – English origin, inspired by the city name
57. Lou – French origin, meaning “famous warrior”
58. Mackenzie – Gaelic origin, meaning “child of the wise leader”
59. Marley – English origin, meaning “pleasant seaside meadow”
60. Marlow – English origin, meaning “driftwood”
61. Max – Latin origin, meaning “greatest”
62. Merritt – English origin, meaning “boundary gate”
63. Micah – Hebrew origin, meaning “who is like God?”
64. Milan – Slavic origin, meaning “gracious” or “dear”
65. Morgan – Welsh origin, meaning “sea-born”
66. Noah – Hebrew origin, meaning “rest” or “comfort”
67. Nova – Latin origin, meaning “new”
68. Ocean – Greek origin, meaning “sea”
69. Parker – English origin, meaning “park keeper”
70. Payton – Irish origin, meaning “noble”
71. Phoenix – Greek origin, meaning “dark red”
72. Quincy – Latin origin, meaning “estate of the fifth son”
73. Quinn – Irish origin, meaning “wise”
74. Reese – Welsh origin, meaning “enthusiasm”
75. Remi – French origin, meaning “oarsman”
76. River – English origin, inspired by nature
77. Riley – Irish origin, meaning “valiant”
78. Robin – English origin, meaning “fame and brightness”
79. Rory – Gaelic origin, meaning “red king”
80. Rowan – Gaelic origin, meaning “little red one” or “tree with red berries”
81. Ryan – Irish origin, meaning “little king”
82. Sage – Latin origin, meaning “wise”
83. Sam – Hebrew origin, meaning “told by God”
84. Sawyer – English origin, meaning “woodcutter”
85. Shay – Irish origin, meaning “admirable”
86. Sky – English origin, meaning “atmosphere”
87. Skylar – Dutch origin, meaning “scholar”
88. Sloane – Irish origin, meaning “raider”
89. Spencer – English origin, meaning “steward”
90. Tanner – English origin, meaning “leather maker”
91. Taylor – English origin, meaning “tailor”
92. Teagan – Irish origin, meaning “attractive”
93. Toby – Hebrew origin, meaning “God is good”
94. Toni – Latin origin, meaning “priceless”
95. Valen – Latin origin, meaning “strong”
96. Vesper – Latin origin, meaning “evening star”
97. Whitney – English origin, meaning “white island“
98. Winter – English origin, inspired by the season
99. Wren – English origin, inspired by the small bird
100. Zuri – Swahili origin, meaning “beautiful”

Names That Ranked Higher for Boys

1. Noah (No. 2 for boys, No. 640 for girls)
2. Ezra (No. 15 for boys, No. 763 for girls)
3. Dylan (N0. 34 for boys, No. 648 for girls)
4. Logan (No. 39 for boys, No. 356 for girls)
5. Carter (N0. 48 for boys, No. 510 for girls)
6. Cameron (No. 58 for boys, No. 480 for girls)
7. Kai (No. 61 for boys, No. 940 for girls)
8. Angel (No. 63 for boys, No. 524 for girls)
9. Rowan (No. 76 for boys, No. 233 for girls)
10. Ryan (No. 83 for boys, No. 677 for girls)
11. Parker (No. 91 for boys, No. 121 for girls)
12. Jordan (No. 98 for boys, No. 499 for girls)

Names That Ranked Higher for Girls

1. Avery (No. 29 for girls, No. 241 for boys)
2. Nova (No. 35 for girls, No. 952 for boys)
3. Riley (No. 43 for girls, No. 223 for boys)
4. Emery (No. 70 for girls, No. 750 for boys)
5. Eden (No. 77 for girls, No. 438 for boys)
6. Quinn (No. 85 for girls, No. 452 for boys)

Classic gender-neutral baby names

1. Alex
2. Jordan
3. Taylor
4. Tyler
5. Casey
6. Max
7. Sam
8. Jamie

Surnames as gender-neutral names

9. Chandler
10. Remy/Remington
11. Palmer
12. Spencer
13. Parker
14. Monroe
15. Sumner
16. Sawyer
17. Smith
18. Dawson
19. Emerson
20. Campbell
21. Prescott
22. Schuyler/Skyler
23. Miller
24. Murphy
25. Bennett
26. Jones
27. Hayes
28. Bowie

Midcentury modern gender-neutral names

29. Frankie
30. Scottie
31. Stevie
32. Lenny/Leni
33. Mickey
34. Bobby
35. Kit
36. Charlie

Former “girl” gender-neutral names

37. Aubrey
38. Ashley
39. Courtney
40. Beverly
41. Marion
42. Evelyn

Place gender-neutral names

43. Jupiter
44. Milan
45. Eden
46. Phoenix
47. Denali
48. Dakota
49. Dallas
50. London

Nature-inspired, gender-neutral names

51. River
52. Lake
53. Skye
54. Winter
55. Willow

Celebrity gender-neutral baby names

56. Vanja (child of Chloe Sevingy and Siniša Mačković).
57. Malti (child of Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas).
58. Riot (child of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky).
59. Wren (child of Chrissy Teigen and John Legend).
60. Leodis (child of Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson).
61. Bingham (child of Kate Hudson and Matt Bellamy).
62. James (child of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively).
63. Lincoln (child of Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell).
64. Wyatt (child of Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher).
65. Journey (child of Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green).
66. Khai (child of Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik).
67. Arlo (child of Julia Stiles and Preston Cook).
68. Atlas (child of Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel).
69. Blue (child of Beyonce and Jay-Z).
70. Esti (child of Chrissy Teigen and John Legend).

More unique gender-neutral names

71. Amari
72. Hollis
73. Zephyr
74. Rowan
75. True
76. Brave
77. Teagan
78. Tiernan
79. Scout
80. Arden

Challenges and Considerations

While the adoption of gender-neutral names is largely seen as progressive, it also raises complex issues:

• Cultural Sensitivity: Some names may carry cultural or ethnic significance that shouldn’t be appropriated without understanding.

• Legal and Institutional Barriers: In some countries, official documents still require gendered naming conventions.

• Family and Societal Expectations: Individuals may face resistance from traditional family members or conservative communities.

However, these challenges also highlight the importance of continuing the conversation around identity, respect, and autonomy.

Conclusion on A Name, A Choice

Gender-neutral names are more than a trend—they are a reflection of a world in flux, moving toward greater empathy and inclusivity. They empower individuals to define who they are without the constraints of gender stereotypes. Whether chosen at birth or adopted later in life, a gender-neutral name can represent personal liberation, cultural shift, and societal progress.

In a progressive world, names that transcend gender serve as small but potent symbols of equality. As we embrace these changes, we take one more step toward a future where everyone is free to be exactly who they are—no labels, no limits.

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