100 Most Popular Unisex Names

Unisex names, also referred to as gender-neutral or nonbinary names, are increasingly popular as parents seek inclusive options that allow flexibility for their child’s identity. Below is a curated list of 100 popular unisex names, including their meanings and origins, based on recent trends and data from sources like the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), Nameberry, and other naming databases. The names are presented in alphabetical order for ease of reference, with meanings and origins derived from various cultural and linguistic roots. Note that popularity is based on usage for both boys and girls in recent years (up to 2025), and some names may lean slightly more toward one gender in practice but are still widely considered unisex.

List of 100 Popular Unisex Names with Meanings and Origins

Addison

Origin: English
Meaning: Son of Adam; originally a surname.
Note: Popular for both genders, especially after rising for girls in the 2000s.

Adrian

Origin: Latin
Meaning: From Hadria; sea or dark one.
Note: Used across cultures, with variations like Adrienne.

Aiden

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Little fire.
Note: Spelled variously (Aidan, Ayden), it’s a modern favorite.

Alex

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Defender of men; short for Alexander/Alexandra.
Note: Timeless and versatile across genders.

Amari

Origin: African (Yoruba), Hebrew
Meaning: Eternal (Hebrew) or strength (Yoruba).
Note: Rising in U.S. popularity for both boys and girls.

Andy

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Manly; diminutive of Andrew/Andrea.
Note: Informal and approachable.

Ari

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Lion of God.
Note: Also a nickname for Ariel or Ariana.

Ariel

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Lion of God.
Note: Known from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, used for both genders.

Armani

Origin: Italian
Meaning: From the house of Armand; warrior.
Note: Inspired by the fashion brand.

Ash

Origin: English
Meaning: Ash tree; short for Ashley or Ashton.
Note: Nature-inspired and concise.

Ashton

Origin: English
Meaning: Ash tree town.
Note: Originally a surname, now a first name for both.

Aspen

Origin: English
Meaning: Poplar tree; place name.
Note: Nature-inspired, linked to the Colorado city.

Aubrey

Origin: English, Germanic
Meaning: Elf ruler.
Note: Historically male, now more common for girls.

August

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Great, magnificent.
Note: Evokes summer and grandeur; nicknames include Gus.

Avery

Origin: English
Meaning: Ruler of elves.
Note: A top unisex name in the U.S., used equally for boys and girls.

Bailey

Origin: English
Meaning: Bailiff or steward.
Note: Originally a surname, now a cheerful first name.

Billie

Origin: English
Meaning: Resolute protection; diminutive of William/Wilhelmina.
Note: Popularized by Billie Eilish.

Blair

Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Plain, field, or battlefield.
Note: Sophisticated surname-turned-first-name.

Blake

Origin: English
Meaning: Black or pale.
Note: Gained popularity for girls via Blake Lively.

Bowie

Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Blonde or yellow-haired.
Note: Popularized by David Bowie.

Briar

Origin: English
Meaning: Thorny patch.
Note: Nature-inspired, linked to Sleeping Beauty

Brooklyn

Origin: English
Meaning: Broken land or marsh land; place name.
Note: More common for girls in the U.S., boys in the U.K.

Bryn

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Hill or mound.
Note: Used for both genders, especially in English-speaking countries.

Cameron

Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Crooked nose.
Note: Popularized by Cameron Diaz; spellings include Camryn.

Campbell

Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Crooked mouth.
Note: Surname-turned-first-name with a modern feel.

Carey

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Dark one; derivative of Carol/Caroline.
Note: Also spelled Cary, with musical associations.

Casey

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Vigilant or watchful.
Note: Literary and approachable, used since the 19th century.

Charlie

Origin: English
Meaning: Free man; diminutive of Charles/Charlotte.
Note: A classic unisex name, popular globally.

Chandler

Origin: French
Meaning: Candlemaker.
Note: Gained fame from Friends character Chandler Bing.

Cheyenne

Origin: Native American (Sioux)
Meaning: People of a different language; dog owner.
Note: Also a place name, more common for girls.

Coby

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Supplanter; nickname for Jacob.
Note: Informal and sporty.

Colby

Origin: English
Meaning: Charcoal or dark-haired.
Note: Rare for girls but used for both.

Dakota

Origin: Native American (Sioux)
Meaning: Friend or ally.
Note: Popularized by Dakota Fanning; also a place name.

Dara

Origin: Hebrew, Irish
Meaning: Pearl of wisdom (Hebrew); oak tree (Irish).
Note: Versatile across cultures.

Daryl

Origin: English, French
Meaning: Open or darling.
Note: Also spelled Darrell; literary associations via Malory Towers.

Denver

Origin: English
Meaning: Dane’s ford.
Note: Place name with American roots.

Devin

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Poet or divine.
Note: Also spelled Devon, linked to the English county.

Drew

Origin: English, Scottish
Meaning: Manly or wise; short for Andrew.
Note: Popularized for girls by Drew Barrymore.

Dylan

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Son of the sea.
Note: Associated with poet Dylan Thomas; fashionable edge.

Eden

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Paradise or delight.
Note: Biblical and nature-inspired.

Eli

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Ascended or high.
Note: Short for Elijah or Elizabeth.

Elliott

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Jehovah is God.
Note: Spellings include Elliot; more common for girls recently.

Ellis

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Benevolent.
Note: Used by Emily Brontë as a pseudonym.

Emerson

Origin: English
Meaning: Son of Emery; brave.
Note: Surname trend, popular for both.

Emery

Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Industrious ruler.
Note: Distinctive and less common than Emerson.

Evan

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: God is gracious.
Note: Similar to Everett, used for both genders.

Everett

Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Brave boar.
Note: Vintage charm, crossing into unisex use.

Finley

Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Fair-haired warrior.
Note: Also spelled Finlay, honors Scottish heritage.

Frankie

Origin: English
Meaning: Free or truthful; diminutive of Francis/Frances.
Note: Nickname trend, like Charlie.

Gray

Origin: English
Meaning: Gray-haired or color.
Note: Color-inspired, soft, and evocative.

Harley

Origin: English
Meaning: Hare’s meadow.
Note: Pop culture ties via Harley Quinn.

Harper

Origin: English
Meaning: Harp player.
Note: Surname trend, popularized for girls.

Hayden

Origin: English
Meaning: Hay valley.
Note: Rose with similar names like Aiden.

Hunter

Origin: English
Meaning: One who hunts.
Note: Occupational name, used for both genders.

Indigo

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Deep blue dye or color.
Note: Rare and artistic, color-inspired.

Jaime

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: Supplanter; variant of Jamie.
Note: Also linked to French “j’aime” (I love).

Jayden

Origin: American
Meaning: Thankful or God has heard.
Note: Modern invented name, popular in the 2000s.

Jesse

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Gift or God’s gift.
Note: Biblical roots, used for both genders.

Jody

Origin: English
Meaning: God will increase; from Judy/Joseph.
Note: Vintage appeal, peaked in the 1940s.

Jordan

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Down-flowing; river in the Middle East.
Note: Universally appealing and timeless.

Jude

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Praise.
Note: Short and strong, with biblical roots.

Julian

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Youthful or young.
Note: Grand and enduring, used for both.

Kai

Origin: Hawaiian, Japanese
Meaning: Sea (Hawaiian); forgiveness (Japanese).
Note: Short and global, highly popular.

Kelly

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Warrior.
Note: Boho vibe, peaked in the 1970s.

Kendall

Origin: English
Meaning: Valley of the river Kent.
Note: Surname origin, popularized by Kendall Jenner.

Kerry

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Dark-haired or dark one.
Note: Classic, suits dark-haired babies.

Kieran

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Little dark one.
Note: Gained traction via Kieran Culkin.

Kim

Origin: English, Vietnamese
Meaning: Gold or metal (Vietnamese); short for Kimberley.
Note: Vintage, peaked in the 1960s.

Kit

Origin: Arabic, English
Meaning: Pure or follower of Christ; diminutive of Christopher/Katherine.
Note: Revived by Kit Harington.

Kyle

Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Narrow spit of land.
Note: Peaked in the 1990s, still versatile.

Lee

Origin: English
Meaning: Meadow or clearing.
Note: Simple and classic, also spelled Leigh.

Lennon

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Lover; linked to John Lennon.
Note: Surname trend, rising for both genders.

Leslie

Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Garden of holly.
Note: Male in the UK, more female elsewhere.

Lindsay

Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Marshlands of Lincolnshire.
Note: Peaked in the 1980s, now unisex.

Logan

Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Little hollow.
Note: Top name for boys, growing for girls.

London

Origin: English
Meaning: Place name; great river.
Note: City-inspired, like Paris and Brooklyn.

Marlowe

Origin: English
Meaning: Driftwood.
Note: Literary vibe, branching out for both genders.

Mason

Origin: English
Meaning: Stone worker.
Note: Traditionally male, gaining unisex use.

Morgan

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Sea-song or sea-born.
Note: Mythological and timeless.

Noel

Origin: French, Irish
Meaning: Christmas; god of pleasure (Irish).
Note: Festive and elegant.

Nova

Origin: Latin
Meaning: New.
Note: Celestial and modern, rising fast.

Ollie

Origin: English
Meaning: Olive tree or peace; from Oliver/Olivia.
Note: Modern take on classic names.

Paige

Origin: English
Meaning: Servant or page.
Note: Originally male, now more female but still unisex.

Parker

Origin: English
Meaning: Park keeper.
Note: Sophisticated surname name.

Pax

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Peace.
Note: Chosen by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Peyton

Origin: English
Meaning: Fighting man’s estate.
Note: Pop culture ties via One Tree Hill.

Phoenix

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Dark red; mythological bird of rebirth.
Note: Symbolizes strength and renewal.

Quinn

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Leader or intelligence.
Note: Sleek and modern, slightly more popular for girls.

Ray

Origin: English, German
Meaning: Wise protector.
Note: Also spelled Rae, short and versatile.

Reese

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Ardor or fiery.
Note: Popularized by Reese Witherspoon.

Rene

Origin: French
Meaning: Reborn.
Note: Also spelled Renee, elegant and classic.

Riley

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Valiant or courageous.
Note: Top unisex name, versatile and lively.

River

Origin: English
Meaning: Flowing body of water.
Note: Nature-inspired, serene, and trendy.

Robin

Origin: English
Meaning: Bright fame; bird name.
Note: Classic unisex name, in top 100 in the UK.

Rory

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Red king.
Note: Energetic and royal, linked to Gilmore Girls.

Rowan

Origin: Gaelic
Meaning: Little redhead; rowan tree.
Note: Protective symbolism in Celtic mythology.

Sage

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Wise.
Note: Herb-inspired, calm, and thoughtful.

Sasha

Origin: Russian, Greek
Meaning: Defender of men; from Alexander/Alexandra.
Note: Popular in Eurasia, globally unisex.

Sawyer

Origin: English
Meaning: Woodcutter.
Note: Adventurous and rugged, rising in use.

Skylar

Origin: Dutch, English
Meaning: Scholar; sky.

Note

Cultural Variations: Some names (e.g., Kai, Kim) have meanings that vary by culture, reflecting their global appeal. Others, like Dakota and Cheyenne, are rooted in Native American heritage, adding cultural depth.

Popularity and Balance: Names like Avery, Riley, and Logan are among the most balanced, used nearly equally for boys and girls. Others, like Aubrey or Peyton, may lean slightly toward girls but remain unisex.

Considerations: When choosing a unisex name, consider how it pairs with middle and last names, potential nicknames, and initials to avoid unintended associations.