It’s 2024 and by now, we should all fully agree that gender is a social construct. Despite what the patriarchy has brainwashed us into believing, the male-female binary is not only very tired, but also, like, factually inaccurate. Not to sound like your quirky women's studies professor, but gender is fluid and falls along a spectrum, meaning you can express yourself outside of the confines of just two options.
And since gender identity is personal, a lot of folks are becoming more mindful about what name they give their kids. There’s already so much stress involved in naming your sweet offspring, and trying to stick with “traditional” male and female names just makes it harder.
To be fair, you can name a human baby whatever you very well please, no matter the sex they’re assigned at birth. But if you don’t want to give your bundle of joy a traditionally gendered name, then you’ve come to the right place. It’s already tough enough to find a name—the child has to live their full life being called this!—much less come up with something that doesn’t feel overused, dated, or potentially inauthentic for your little one in the future.
To make the process easier, we rounded up 150 unisex and gender-neutral baby names that’ll be perfect for your future angel. And as a bonus, a lot of them are really unique too. Some have historically been used for a particular gender, and others have always been around for their nonbinary potential. So yes, this is your cue to toss those outdated color coded baby-name books that your mom dusted off (and, sorry mom, but who reads baby-name books when Google exists, anyway?) Sorry to all baby-name book writers out there, but we have all the unisex and gender-neutral baby names you need below.
1. Atlas
C’mon, baby global citizen! Here’s a unique and modern name for any gender.
2. Valentine
Doesn’t this one just make your heart swell? It’s actually derived from the Latin word “valen,” aka “strong,” which feels perfect somehow.
3. Whitley
This Old English names mean “white meadow.” How serene.
4. Camden
Here’s a Scottish name that translates to “winding valley.”
5. Tanner
This name was originally an occupational one, used to signify leather-makers. Now it’s a *very* trendy name that anyone and everyone can take advantage of.
6. Sailor
Don’t you just love the nautical vibes here? Bonus if they love the water.
7. Flynn
This is a Gaelic surname that has become a beloved boy’s name over the years. There’s no reason it wouldn’t be extra cute for any baby though!
8. Harlowe
This name means “from the hare’s hill,” which already sounds poetic enough. You can choose to drop the ending “e” too for a slightly different vibe. (The same note applies to a bunch of names on this list.)
9. Beck
This short and sweet name means “someone who lives by the stream.” The ideal way to live, TBH—plus it’s got musical connotations.
10. Justice
Here’s a real statement name. Who doesn’t love a little justice in life?
11. Ali
This Arabic name means “elevated” or “champion.”
12. Blue
If you’re going to go the color-inspired route, this is a fresh option. Yes, we love a Violet or a Garnet, but I mean…Beyoncé doesn’t have a kid with either of those names, so Blue comes out on top.
13. Brooks
Here’s a derivative of an English surname that makes for a simple, classic moniker.
14. Carter
This is another common surname that works very well for any gender and, again, has some Beyoncé vibes to it.
15. Channing
This name is French for “young wolf.” That’s just powerful as hell. Also, a cool famous namesake!
16. Ramsey
Does this name mean “wild garlic”? Yes. Does that change the fact that it’s still somehow chic as hell? No.
17. Remy
This name has French and Latin origins (v fancy) and means “oarsman.”
18. Max
Here’s a certified classic. It means “greatest,” which is probably why it’s remained a staple for generations. Also, if you watched Stranger Things, you’ll know it’s not just for boys.
19. Honor
This name is a solid way to set the tone for a kid’s life.
20. Jesse
Not only does this name have 50,000 song mentions (approximately), but it’s also Hebrew for “the Lord exists.”
21. Casey
Here’s an Irish unisex name that means “vigilant.”
22. Nicki
Now, this has totally been deemed a girl’s name over the years, but honestly, changing the spelling opens a whole bunch of doors. Nikki, Nicky…there are countless possibilities.
23. Maddox
This is a Welsh name meaning “son of Madoc.” The name was popularized quite a bit when Angelina Jolie made it a thing with her oldest child.
24. Morgan
Here’s a solid unisex name for sure that means “sea dweller.” Again with the water theme!!
25. Dylan
The sea seems to inspire all the best names, TBH. Dylan actually means “born from the ocean.” Who knew?
26. Tai
This is a Chinese name meaning “a great extreme,” and is also a totally lovable Clueless character and very attractive singer.
27. Eli
This Hebrew name for “my God” has typically been designated for boys but is gaining traction in the unisex department.
28. Merritt
The gender-neutral name means “boundary gate.”
29. Peyton
This popular unisex name translates to “fighting man’s estate.” That’s so legit.
30. Aubrey
This German name means “magical being,” and it’s the rapper Drake’s real name. So that’s two major things going for it.
31. Oakley
In case you haven’t caught on yet, the whole surname as a first name thing sounds suuuper chic.
32. Colin
This is actually a derivative of the name Nicholas (who knew??) and means “people of victory.” Colins everywhere have essentially won at life, I guess.
33. Hollis
Don’t even front—how delightful does it sound to be a “dweller at the holly trees”?! That’s bliss, baby.
34. Wynn
We all love a winner. This Old English name actually means “friend,” and we def love that too.
35. Rumi
Another Yoncé-approved name here ’cause taste is taste. This one has Japanese origins and translates to “beautiful.”
36. Jo
Joe may seem like a set-in-stone guy’s name, but drop the “e” and you’ve got a flexible name with a Little Women cosign to back it up.
37. Ash
One-syllable names just exude chicness. This one means “of the ash tree.” So, extra cool.
38. Halston
This has English origins and came about from the phrase “hallow stone.” Super trendy too, with some major fashion vibes to go with it.
39. Reese
We have to praise Reese Witherspoon’s mother for giving her this name and putting it on the map for all of us to reuse.
40. Blake
Blake is often automatically associated with boys, but it definitely isn’t that way anymore. Psh, ask Blake Lively!
41. Shiloh
Hebrew for “tranquil,” Shiloh has historically been dubbed as a girl’s name for a long time. But that’s changed recently!
42. Dakota
One of the top unisex names in the U.S., Dakota originates from the Native American community in the northern Mississippi Valley. It means “a friendly one.”
43. Jamie
We’ve seen this one commonly used with boys and girls throughout the years. It still stands as a very popular gender-neutral name (and not just a nickname).
44. Shawn
This name has English, Irish, and American origins. In English, it translates to “from the shady grove.” And in Irish and English, it means “gift from God.” It’s been popularly used as a boy’s name, but it would be just as cute for a baby girl. It can also be spelled as Sean or Shaun.
45. Leslie
Derived from Scotland, the name Leslie translates to “garden of holly.” We’ve seen stars like Leslie Mann and Leslie Jordan share the name too!
46. James
I think we have Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds to thank for popularizing and retooling this boy’s name. They named their daughter and oldest child James and it’s the cutest thing! (Also, you could use Jamie, above, as a nickname.)
47. Cameron
Can’t help but think that maybe Cameron Diaz is the one who changed the game??
48. Billie
The name Billie has an English origin and has been a common name for boys. But all lil babies can 100 percent have the name too! (Hi, Billie Eilish.)
49. Quinn
An Irish name meaning “chief leader” or “intelligence,” Quinn has become slightly more popular with girls than boys in recent years. TBD on whether or not Glee had anything to do with that.
50. Elliott
This name has been popular with all babies for decades now. You can also opt to spell it with a single “t” or “l” to make it a little ~extra~ in a cute way.
51. Emerson
While this one used to skew more female (61 percent in 2013), it’s slowly on the come-up as a more gender-neutral name too.
52. Finley
This is one of the few gender-neutral names that are truly unisex, meaning it doesn’t lean heavily one way.
53. Marlowe
Marlowe means “driftwood” and has historically been coded as a girl’s name. In recent years, however, it’s been branching out.
54. North
Obviously, Kim popularized this name when her and Kanye’s first child was born in 2013. However, baby-name experts say it’s gaining momentum not just as a girl’s name. Plus, the nickname Nori is a grade-A option.
55. Kai
This name derives meaning in several different spaces—“sea” in Hawaiian culture and “keeper of the keys” in the Welsh language—and is super popular right now.
56. Rory
You can immortalize Rory from Gilmore Girls with your baby too. ;)
57. Arden
This is an English name meaning “valley of the eagle.” Although it tends to be almost twice as popular with girls, it’s not limited.
58. Riley
It has an Irish origin and means “courageous.” Originally a popular name for boys, Riley has grown so popular that it is the number one female name starting with “R.” Fans of Inside Out, raise your hands!
59. Bailey
While it may forever be thought of as something that should be mixed with coffee, Bailey is still an adorable name for a baby.
60. Jules
Often a nickname for Julie or Julia, Jules has become popular with the boys over the years as a nickname for Julian and as a stand-alone name. Also, it’s the name of our fave gal from Euphoria.
61. Sage
Sage is of Latin origin and means “wise,” which is pretty fly-as-hell, if you ask me. Who wouldn’t want a brilliant offspring?
62. Alex
Alex as a nickname for either Alexander or Alexandra has been huge pretty much since the dawn of time.
63. Kendall
Kendall is of British origin, meaning “valley of the river Kent.” It’s been popular with boys (ahem, Succession!) and girls, à la Kendall Jenner.
64. Micah
Traditionally a boy’s name, Micah is now popular across the board—possibly as an alternative to the increasingly popular Michaela. It means “who is like the Lord.”
65. Angel
Typically thought of as a boy’s name, Angel has been rising in popularity for everyone. Spice Girl Melanie Brown named her daughter Angel Iris, so it’s obvs legit.
66. Kyle
Perhaps popularized by The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle, this was typically a boy’s name but absolutely doesn’t have to be.
67. London
Becoming more popular for girls for now, London is still a perfectly pleasant name, honoring a beautiful British city (duh).
68. River
One of the most famous Rivers—actor River Phoenix—gave this name a traditionally male association. But since Kelly Clarkson decided to call her daughter River, it’s slowly increasing in popularity elsewhere too.
69. Harper
Once the Beckhams named their only daughter Harper, it immediately shot up in popularity for girls, which checks out. But parents really like it for all their little ones.
70. Charlie
Charlie has long been thought of as the nickname for Charles, but recently, it’s been a popular nickname for the name Charlotte.
71. Drew
Typically a boy’s name (save for the queen, Drew Barrymore), Drew is quite popular for little fellas. But expect to see lots of little girls named Drew running around in the upcoming years, now that Jessica Simpson gave it to her daughter Maxwell as a middle name.
72. Reagan
Reagan, which occasionally is spelled Regan, is more popular with girls but certainly works as a gender-neutral name as well.
73. Logan
It’s damn near impossible to go to a park without running into a little Logan these days. The name has shot up in popularity over the past few years.
74. Sawyer
Sawyer is more popular for boys (maybe thanks to Sawyer from Lost?), but stars like Sara Gilbert have taken to giving the name to their daughters, which no doubt will make it more popular in general over the next few years.
75. Taylor
Once typically used just for girls, Taylor—partly thanks to Taylor Lautner—has been climbing the ranks. While the name may feel a little ’90s for some, Taylor Swift has put it on the map for a new generation. Sort of related: Remember when Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner dated? You had to be there.
76. Kennedy
The name Kennedy sounds trendy and classic for all human babes but it's often thought of as a girl’s name. However, if name meanings are particularly important to you, you might want to steer clear of this one. Kennedy means “misshapen head.”
77. Hayden
This celebrity name (Hayden Panettiere and Hayden Christensen) is currently more popular with boys, but don’t sleep on it as a unisex option.
78. Nico
Actor Thandiwe Newton gave the name Nico to her daughter. Alternate spellings include Nikko and Niko, which are both fab and can be used for anyone.
79. Phoenix
The name of a place and the name of a bird, Phoenix is on trend for different genders. Former Spice Girl Mel B. is a fan—she gave the name to her daughter.
80. Jaden
More popular for boys—thanks to Will Smith and Jada Pinkett’s son—Jaden has risen in popularity quite a bit in the past few years.
81. Gray
The name Grayson for boys has been wildly popular in the past few years. But Gray is cute for everyone!
82. Jordan
Although it’s usually thought of as a boy’s name, Jordan makes it into the top 300 names for girls. The name skyrocketed to popularity in the ’90s during Michael Jordan’s heyday and is still going strong.
83. Skyler
Skyler—also spelled Skylar—is popular for all. The name is actually a variation of the name Schuyler, which is a Dutch surname (hi, Hamilton!).
84. Sasha
Perhaps thanks to Sacha Baron Cohen (who pronounces it “Sasha”), the name Sasha is rising in popularity. The name means “defender of men.”
85. Rowan
Rowan, which means “little red head,” is popular among every gender. One of the most famous Rowans is Mr. Bean himself, British comedian Rowan Atkinson. So your kid will have a great legacy there.
86. Parker
The preppy name, which actually means “park keeper,” is trending higher for boys. It’s still pretty hot, thanks in part to indie queen Parker Posey.
87. Reign
This short and sweet name would be the perfect fit for your baby royal. It’s seen a slight uptick in popularity thanks to Kourtney Kardashian’s youngest son, and it’s got a real air of power to it.
88. Noah
Whether you use it with the typical spelling or you drop the “h” and go with Noa, this classic name has always been a hit for boys. In the early 2000s, it gained traction elsewhere—just look at Noah Cyrus!
89. Anderson
Surnames that work as first names? Forever chic. There’s even the adorable Andi nickname op!
90. Greer
This name means “watchful” or “vigilant” and derives from Scotland. It’s not the most popular name, but it’s been on the rise since the ’90s.
91. Ellis
This name is basically the unisex answer to many of its counterparts. If you don’t want to go too gendered with names like Elliot, Eleanor, or even Ella, Ellis is a gorgeous more neutral option.
92. Corey
If you change up the spelling here just a tad, this name comes with a completely different energy. Kori, Cori, Cory…the opportunities are endless.
93. Brooklyn
We love a city-based name. Also, David and Victoria Beckham have, like, the best taste in unisex names?
94. Bowie
Obvi, this one is famously notable for rock star David Bowie, but since his passing in 2016, it’s skyrocketed in first name popularity. It’s originally Scottish and it means “fair-haired.”
95. Addison
Originally, this name was developed as the female derivative of Adam, but now it’s a unisex name for common folk and famous TikTokers alike.
96. August
Month names are *it*. C’mon, look at January Jones. If you appreciate this vibe, August ranks high up there when it comes to months that look good on an ID.
97. Ryan
Has this remained one of the most popular boy’s names for, like, the past century? Sure. But it’s now also a v trendy unisex name. How’s that for a twist?
98. Avery
Now here’s a real classic. It comes from the old English word for “elf,” which, love.
99. Austin
What did we say about city names? They’re usually sooo cool. You can even get a little creative and go with Austyn if you’re looking to switch things up.
100. Robin
Here’s a tried-and-true fave. From Robin Williams to Ms. “Dancing on My Own” Robyn, plenty of icons have done this name proud. I mean, considering it means “bright fame,” that totally adds up.
101. Ezra
After being a common name for boys, Ezra—which means "help"—became one of the top 1,000 names for girls back in 2018, officially making it a true unisex option.
102. Luca
Your baby will truly be a ✨star✨ with a classic gender-neutral name that means "bringer of light."
103. Blaze
You can thank Kandi Burruss for making this cool-as-hell gender-neutral name mainstream.
104. Sunday
Months as names aren't the only ones that work as fab gender-neutral options—we'll take days of the week, too!
105. Arlo
This gender-neutral name just rolls off the tongue and means "fortified hill."
106. Nova
Through the years, this name has been typically used for girls, but since it means "new," it is perfect for all babies.
107. Jett
Is it giving aviation? Sure, but it doesn't have to, especially since some say it's typically associated with edgy and mysteriously cool people. Um, yes please?
108. Tatum
Not sure about you, but I definitely want my one-day baby to be "cheerful" and "full of spirit," which might be the case if Tatum is their name, just sayin'.
109. Frankie
Usually a nickname, Frankie is said to mean "truthful" and "sincere." Awww.
110. Ashton
Funny man Ashton Kutcher has made this name iconic for the boys, but it's so cute as a unisex option too!
111. Wren
Okay, even though this name means "small brown songbird," which aww, something about it just gives me bougie vibes, and I want that for your baby. Double win if they actually turn out to be able to sing.
112. Spencer
113. Kim
You'll typically see this name for the girls, but change up the spelling to "Kem" (if you want!) and it's the unisex moniker of your dreams.
114. Tracey
This one is mostly used with girls, but some top-tier boys have rocked the name just the same. Hi, Tracy Morgan!
115. Jalen
Mix up the spelling on this bad boy and you've got yourself a cute lil unisex name.
116. Devon
Same with this one—whichever way you choose to spell it, it's a great choice as a unisex name.
117. Monroe
Maybe it's the Marilyn of it all, but something about this name is just *it*. So fab, so chic, and perfect for your lil bundle.
118. Bentley
Original Teen Mom cast member Maci Bookout named her oldest son this and very much blazed trails. It's so on trend with girl names ending in -ley though that it makes for a really good unisex option too.
119. Courtney
Courtney is typically used for girls, but it's made waves as a great option for boys too.
120. Lennox
You'll usually find more little baby boys being called Lennox, but it's a true gender-neutral name and truly so good for anyone.
121. Lyric
Lyric is typically most common among girls, but it's just sooo beautiful and truly could be used for anyone.
121. Presley
Obviously you just thought about Elvis. But believe it or not, this name has been mostly associated with girls for a very long time, likely since legendary country singer Tanya Tucker gave the name to her daughter, Presley Tanita Tucker, and brought it mainstream. But it's such a cutie pie name for all the lil babies!
122. True
Khloe Kardashian brought this name into the greater cultural lexicon when she named her daughter this, but it's truly so cool for any person.
123. Dorian
This name has been mostly connected to boys for the longest time, but I've met Dorians of all genders in my life and it just *works*.
124. Lee
Whether you spell it this way, or "Leigh," this unisex name means "meadow" or "delicate." Awww.
125. Clark
Most commonly known as a last name, Clark has been used mostly for boys, but it's such a stylish unisex choice—especially if you throw an -e on the end. *Chef's kiss*.
126. Dallas
Another location name that works as a true nonbinary name and is just so cute.
127. Halo
Halle Bailey and boyfriend DDG named their new baby boy this darling name, but how stunning would it be on all newborns? Swoon!
128. Unique
For even more Beyonce-inspired names, this one-of-a-kind moniker will be giving your baby all the "Alien Superstar" energy. And who wouldn't want their child walking through life with that vibe?
129. Saint
Also inspired by a mega-celeb, Kim K named her oldest son this and I just think it would be super dope on any human. Matter fact, just go ahead and call me Saint now, thanks!
130. Lincoln
The famous people really set the trends here, if you haven't been able to tell by now lol. In this case, Kristen Bell and Dax Sheppard used this name for their daughter, but it is a solid unisex option for sure.
131. Bronte
This moniker has Gaelic and Greek origins and means "thunder" or "bestower."
132. Shelby
Shelby was an It Name about 10 years ago, so if you name your kid that now, it's like giving them vintage vibes. That's how that works, right?
133. Ricky
This name means "brave ruler," and depending on how you spell it, can be an inspiring unisex option.
134. Cedar
While this one might give ~new generation~ vibes, it has an old Greek history and is a super unique and uncommon nonbinary name.
135. Chandler
This name has a French origin (automatically making it chic as hell for anyone), and is likely most notable for being Matthew Perry's iconic character on Friends.
136. Sidney
Revered actor Sidney Poitier, aka the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Actor, set the pace with this one.
136. Raine
I just feel like, similar to "Blaze," any gender-neutral name lending to some sort of environmental element is just fly as hell.
137. Lake
See "Raine" for my obsession with gender-neutral names evoking things from the earth.
138. Winter
Okay, just one more nonbinary nature-inspired name because this one is just, ugh, s'cute.
139. Lane
So maybe I lied—this is my final submission into the "name your baby after something outside/in nature" category. It's nonbinary and unique! What more can ya ask for?
140. Tristan
Alright, hear me out: If you ignore—or don't care about—the meaning of this name ("sad" or "melancholy," oof!), then it's such a fab unisex choice!
141. Adrian
No matter how you spell it (hi, OG Cheetah Girl, Adrienne Bailon!), this is a longtime unisex name with a Greek history that means "rich."
142. Carson
Stemming from Irish and Scottish roots, Carson was once exclusively a last name, then folks made it a first name, typically used for boys. But now, it's a go-to choice for a unisex moniker and truly, it's a good one.
143. Haven
This name, which means "safe place" or "refuge," definitely gives "I have millennial parents," but like...in a really charming way.
144. Tyler
It doesn't matter that Tyler has traditionally been used as either a boy's name or a last name, it's truly so stinkin' cute for just about anybody.
145. Deon
Say hello and thank you to the two legends that put this unisex name on the map: famed football player and coach Deion Sanders, and Dionne from Clueless. Two icons, so why not give your baby a name as such?
146. Montana
City names are cool, but state names? Superior.
147. Shannon
A unisex name that means "wise river" is an entire mood.
148. Tori
Want your kid to just, like, win at life? Tory, or "Tori" if you're feeling fancy, means "victory" and definitely is giving them a strong start a a good way to set them up.
149. Jody
Any other The Mindy Project fans immediately think of Dr. Jodie Kimball-Kinney with this one? Or the legendary Jodie Foster? Basically, this name has high icon value.
150. Andy
There's a million and one ways to spell this, so you really can't go wrong, especially when the meaning is "brave."
Annabel Iwegbue is an assistant editor at Cosmopolitan where she primarily covers lifestyle and fashion. Before joining Cosmo, she covered entertainment at Harper's Bazaar, The Knockturnal, and Black Film. She's originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Cinema Studies from New York University. You can check out some of Annabel’s work here and also find her on Instagram and Twitter.
Christen A. Johnson is the lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan where she covers health and wellness, money, career, pets, home, food, travel and more for print and digital. She also dabbles in culture writing, and wrote Cosmo’s first-ever digital cover story. Before joining the magazine, Christen was a lifestyle features reporter at the Chicago Tribune. Several of her health and style stories made the paper's front page. When Christen isn’t digging through antique stores, she's likely drooling over home renos on HGTV, sharing her latest therapy revelation, redoing old workouts from her college basketball days, or trying to perfect her homemade buttermilk biscuit recipe. Follow her on Insta for BTS ~ editor life ~ tingz!
