50 Uncommon Gender-Neutral Baby Names You'll Completely Fall In Love With

Gender-neutral baby names are on the rise. The growth is part of a larger trend of defying traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Linda Murray, editor-in-chief of BabyCenter, explained the growing popularity of unisex names to The New York Times: "Today's parents have moved beyond the dichotomy of boy and girl names," she said. "They want their children to grow up and be themselves, free from stereotypes."

If you're still unsure whether a gender-neutral baby name is right for your own little one, check out this roundup of some of the best names out there. These unique gender-neutral names are sure to make you fall in love.

Once a last name that was most famously borne by Elvis Presley, the king of rock and roll, the name Presley can also be used as a given name. While it is more commonly used as a feminine name in recent times, data from the Social Security Administration reveals that Presley has been used as a male name since at least the 19th century. Thanks to its association with Elvis, this gender-neutral baby name is a good choice for music lovers.

In Norse mythology, it is thought that the first woman was made from a rowan tree. In spite of this feminine association, the name Rowan is used for both baby boys and girls. While it would be easy to assume that the name comes from nature, Rowan's history as a given name is a little more complex. It comes from the Anglicized form of the last name Ó Ruadháin, which has its roots as a Gaelic nickname given to people who had red hair.

Emerson is another given name that originated as a last name. An English name meaning "son of Emery," Emerson's roots go back to the German name Emmerich. Once primarily used as a masculine name, Emerson started gaining traction as a feminine name in the early 2000s and is now officially a gender-neutral name.

Thanks to the 1989 film "The Little Mermaid," many people may assume that Ariel, the name of the main character, is exclusively a girl's name, but that isn't true. Ariel was long considered a masculine name. The name, which is Hebrew for "lion of God," can be found in the Old Testament of the Bible as an alternate name for Jerusalem, per Behind the Name. It also has literary roots, appearing in Shakespeare's "The Tempest."

Thanks to the wild popularity of actor Ashton Kutcher, many people are familiar with this name, but may assume that it can only be used for boys. While it's certainly more frequently used for baby boys, the moniker can also be gender-neutral. Ashton was once a last name that meant "ash tree town," via Behind the Name, but today it's growing in popularity as a given name that can be used for both boys and girls.

While Charlie is often used as a nickname, it's also a given name in its own right. Its use as a gender-neutral name dates back to at least 1880, based on name data from the Social Security Administration (via Behind the Name). If you prefer more formal variations of the name, Charlie can be used as an abbreviated form of names like Charlotte or Charles. If you really want to get creative, you could also consider the alternate spelling of Charley.

The name Finley has Irish and Scottish roots, and is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name Fionnlagh. Fionnlagh is typically used as a masculine name, coming from the Gaelic words for "white" and "warrior," but its English variation can be used for both boys and girls. This is true only in the United States, though. In England and Wales, Finley is still considered to be a masculine name. 

Once primarily a boy's name derived from an English last name, Hayden started gaining traction as a gender-neutral name in the late 1990s. It comes from place names based on Old English words meaning either "hay valley" or "hay hill," via Behind the Name. The moniker is far more popular in Australia and Canada than it is in the United States, but in those countries, Hayden is only used for boys.

This Biblical name has long been considered a masculine one, but Americans are slowly starting to change that by giving it to girls as well. It still isn't very commonly used for girls, but is used frequently enough that it's safe to call Zion a gender-neutral name. Zion is from a Hebrew name used to describe heaven, and is sometimes spelled as Tzion.

This modern name was only briefly popular as a single-gender name. River started gaining traction as a male name in the mid-1990s. This may be in part due to bearers like actor River Phoenix, who passed away in 1993, or the slight variation bestowed upon Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo. But by 2009, the name had become gender-neutral. While the name might sound thoroughly English, River actually comes from the Latin word "ripa," which means "riverbank."

Once a last name and then a masculine given name, Harley is now more popular for girls than it is for boys. This can likely be attributed to the wild popularity of the comic book character Harley Quinn. She might not always be one of the good guys, but she's still popular enough to help influence the growth of Harley as a gender-neutral name.

The origins of the name Rylan are not completely certain. It is thought that the most likely origin for this unique name is the last name Ryland, which is derived from an Old English place name meaning "rye land." It only began emerging as a gender-neutral name in 2009, making it both modern and uncommon.

Thanks in part to the socialite and reality TV star Paris Hilton, Paris has recently become more recognized as a feminine name, but its masculine roots make it more accurate to call this moniker gender-neutral. In Greek mythology, Paris is remembered as a Trojan prince whose affair with the Spartan queen, Helen, led to the Trojan war.

While the mythological figure shares his name with the French capital, the city of Paris actually drew its name from an early group of people who lived in that area, the Parisii.

Ainsley is yet another gender-neutral name that originated as a last name. It's thought that Ainsley comes from one of two English places: Annesley or Ansley (via Behind the Name). The first part of the name is derived from either the Old English word "anne," which means "alone," or the word "ansetl," meaning "hermitage." The second part of the name comes from the word "leah," which means "woodland" or "clearing."

While the name is almost solely feminine in the United States, its use as a masculine name in England and Wales makes it decidedly gender-neutral.

Wynn is a unisex name that means "friend," "fair," and "pure," according to The Bump. The name is of British origin and is a popular surname in Wales. This gender-neutral name also offers different spelling variations, like Wynne and Wyn, and allows for the cute nickname of "Wynnie."

For parents who want an uncommon name, Wynn is a great choice. Since the early 1900s, the name has remained rare. As of 2021, it sat at No. 4,001 for girls and No. 4,489 for boys, per the Social Security Administration (via The Bump).

For parents wanting to imbue their child with a sense of strength and creativity, Yael could be the perfect unisex baby name. Hebrew in origin, Yael means "ibex," which is a type of mountain goat known for its distinctive horns (via The Bump). Goats are said to symbolize strength, creative energy, tranquility, and aspiration, among other positive attributes.

Yael was a name traditionally used for girls up until the 1980s, when parents began giving the name to boys as well. The gender-neutral name has remained relatively uncommon; in 2021, it was still rather rare at No. 2,194 for boys and No. 2,892 for girls, per the Social Security Administration (via The Bump).

Kirby has a somewhat odd meaning: a "settlement by a church," according to The Bump. While the meaning is a little random, a church-related name could certainly be a bonus for those who value faith or religion.

Though Kirby is an old name with Norse, English, and Irish heritage, it sounds relatively modern due to the -y ending. Another modern element of the name is that it's gender-neutral. This cute unisex name has remained a rare option for over a century, and reached its peak popularity back in 1984. It remains a very uncommon name, falling at No. 5,058 for girls and No. 6,928 for boys as of 2021, per the Social Security Administration (via The Bump).

Hollis is another unisex baby name with British origins (via The Bump). November and December babies would be especially suited to the name Hollis, due to its meaning, which refers to the holly tree, a festive, vibrant green tree with red berries.

As of 2021, Hollis is still relatively uncommon, at No. 2,561 for girls and No. 2,282 for boys, per the Social Security Administration (via The Bump). This means it's a great option for any parents looking for a unique baby name.

Short, sweet, and modern, Kit is a gender-neutral baby name option that is a diminutive of the more common name Christopher (via Nameberry). The name, which is of English origin, may ring some bells for any "Game of Thrones" fans, as the actor who plays Jon Snow is named Kit Harrington. Kit is also sometimes a nickname for girls named Katherine.

As far as popularity goes, Kit is an uncommon baby name. As of 2021, it was ranked No. 1,915 (via BabyCenter).

Want the chillest baby ever? Maybe you should name them Xen, which means "meditation" (via Nameberry). All jokes aside, Xen is a unique, gender-neutral option, and is especially interesting due to the fact that it starts with X.

Xen (alternatively spelled Zen) is pretty rare according to Nameberry, but there are a few celebrities who have used the name for their children: Cory Feldman named his son Zen back in 2004, and Tisha Campbell Martin named her son Xen in 2001.

Dorian is an uncommon gender-neutral baby name that is Greek in origin and means "gift." According to the Social Security Administration (via Verywell Family), Dorian was first found on the list of the top 1,000 baby boy names in 1960, where it ranked at No. 845. As of 2020, Dorian came in at No. 511, per the Social Security Administration (via Verywell Family). This makes it a pretty unique choice.

The name is relatively rare in media and pop culture, but literature fans may recognize the name Dorian from Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray."

Ellison is a bold and classic unisex baby name that means "son of Ellis," per The Bump. Ellison is of British origin, and the Hebrew counterpart of Ellison is the name Elijah.

The name may appeal to many people due to the -son ending, as we commonly hear names ending in -son (i.e., Alison, Bryson, Emerson). However, Ellison is a more unique choice than other -son names, coming in at No. 1,708 for girls and No. 3,776 for boys on the list of top baby names as of 2021, per the Social Security Administration (via The Bump).

This dreamy baby name would be perfect for any parents looking for a moniker with a free-spirited vibe. Indigo is a gender-neutral name that comes from the Greek word "Indikon," which means "from India," and refers to a family of plants native to India that could be used to make dye (via The Bump).

The name Indigo most often brings to mind the color of the same name: a deep, saturated blue with a hint of purple. Parents who choose this name also have the option of calling their child by the cute nickname "Indy."

Move aside, Megan — a cooler, unisex upgrade has arrived in the form of Teagan. You may have heard the name Teagan before if you're familiar with the Canadian indie pop band "Tegan and Sara," but aside from the singing duo, the name isn't super popular. However, its rareness and the gender-neutral component are just a few great things about the name.

Another cool aspect of the name Teagan is its meaning, which is "little poet," or "fair," per Nameberry. The name has Welsh roots and is also connected to Saint Tegan, who was a disciple of St. Patrick.

Calling to mind travel and wanderlust, Atlas is a unisex baby name that means "to carry" (via The Bump). The name is of Greek origin and refers to a mythical Titan named Atlas who held heaven and earth on his shoulders, making it a powerful name.

As far as popularity goes, the name has been rising in recent years, but isn't near the top 100. For boys, Atas comes in at #259 as of 2021, and #2,361 for girls, per the Social Security Administration (via The Bump).

"Place" names (like London, Paris, and Virginia) are increasingly trendy, and Salem is a unique place name that hasn't become overused. Salem is a gender-neutral baby name that refers to the historical town of Salem, Massachusetts (via The Bump). 

Due to the witchy history of the town, this could be a great option for parents looking for a slightly spooky baby name. Salem also has roots in Hebrew and Arabic; in fact, it refers to the biblical city of Jerusalem.

This gender-neutral baby name is a good option for parents who are looking for a baby name that honors nature. Oakley is inspired by the majestic oak tree; the name translates to "a meadow of oak trees," according to The Bump.

Wild west fans may remember Annie Oakley from "Buffalo Bill," but aside from this reference, the name Oakley is pretty rare in media and pop culture. As a baby name, it has gotten slightly more popular in recent years, but still remains relatively uncommon.

Winter is a timeless, classic name suited for both boys and girls, though it has historically been used more often for girls, via The Bump. The name calls to mind crisp winter air and fresh snowfall, and would be well-suited to a baby born in colder months.

While this name is a pretty uncommon one, it has been used for a very long time. According to Nameberry, it has been used as a first name since the 17th century.

Another nature-inspired baby name, Sage refers to the sagebrush plant. The meaning of Sage is "prophet" or "wise one," and the name was previously used in Ancient Greece as an honorary title for people who were educated or wise. This makes it a regal and honorable name for a newborn.

Sage has risen in popularity over the years and is currently more commonly used for girls than boys, though the name is unisex. As of 2022, Sage ranks at No. 135 overall, per BabyCenter.

Dallas is another uncommon gender-neutral baby name. Though the name does bring to mind the popular Texas city, the meaning of Dallas is actually nature-inspired, meaning "from the dales" or "valley meadows," and has Scottish origins, via The Bump.

Dallas has been slightly more popular for boys over the years, but it has gained traction for girls in recent years. As of 2021, Dallas was ranked No. 504 for boys and No. 1,239 for girls (per the Social Security Administration, via The Bump), making it a unique baby name choice.

For those looking to pay homage to nature, Clover is a cute gender-neutral baby name that could be the right fit. Clover has British roots and means "meadow flower," and the name comes from the Old English word "clāfre," via BabyNames.com. Clover would be a great name for babies born in the springtime due to its ties to nature and flowers.

Clover is also quite uncommon, ranked at No. 734 (per BabyCenter), so parents who want a moniker that really stands out will appreciate this baby name.

Wren is an elegant and timeless unisex name that means "small bird" (via Nameberry), which makes it another great choice for those looking for a nature-inspired baby name. According to mythology, the wren is the king of all birds as well as a bird of prophecy.

Though Wren is becoming more popular, it's still a considerably uncommon name, ranking at #250 for girls and #1,102 for boys as of 2021.

Another bird-related name, Merle is a name of French origin that means "blackbird" (via The Bump). This gender-neutral, uncommon baby name (pronounced "merl") may bring to mind Merle Haggard, the famous American country musician.

This unique name offers an interesting twist on the slightly more popular, similar-sounding names of Earl and Pearl. As a bonus, it is exceedingly rare — it is so seldom used in modern times that data for girls named Merle ends in 2004, when the name was ranked No. 27,787; for boys, the name ranked No. 10,144 in 2021, per The Bump.

Brians, Brysons, and Brinleys, look out — Briar is in town. This elegant, unisex baby name of English origin means "a thorny patch" (via Nameberry). Some may recognize the name from the Disney princess, Sleeping Beauty, whose actual name (in the original Grimm Brothers story) is Briar Rose.

Though Briar is slightly more common for girls, it's beginning to be used for boys, too — according to Nameberry, there are about three boys for every four girls named Briar.

Lennon is a gender-neutral Irish name that means "lover," a very cute meaning for your baby's name. Music lovers may also gravitate to the name, as it brings to mind the famous Beatles frontman, John Lennon.

As for Lennon's popularity, it is on the rise. It was used only for boys until 1980, when the name became more popular for boys and girls. As of 2021, Lennon ranked at No. 510 for girls and No. 1,394 for boys, making it slightly more common for girls these days (per the Social Security Administration, via The Bump).

Story is a cute, uncommon baby name that can be given to boys and girls. As you could probably guess, the name Story means "story" or "tale." This creative name could appeal to writers or literature-loving parents, or those who like the sound of names like Tori or Rory.

The name is rather rare, but it has been used more often in the last 20 years. According to The Bump, Story reached its peak in 2020 at No. 3,093.

This wintery name is a good option for parents looking to name their boy or girl something classic, strong, and nature-inspired. Aspen is a place name, after the luxury skiing town in Colorado, as well as a nature name, since its meaning refers to the aspen tree, via The Bump.

In the past, Aspen was mostly used for girls, but by 1990, it caught on for boys as well. Though it's not necessarily a popular name, this one has been on the rise since the mid-1990s.

Remy (alternately spelled Remi) is a unisex baby name with French and Latin roots that means "oarsman" (via Nameberry). It's a name that sounds both modern and timeless, making it a suitable choice for parents who want something unique, but not too "out-there."

The name Remy became slightly more popular after the release of the children's movie, "Ratatouille," in which the main character is a chef named Remy. Despite the popularity of the movie, the name Remy has stayed relatively rare, coming in at No. 715 for boys and No. 1,089 for girls as of 2021 (per The Bump).

Tennessee natives may appreciate the name Memphis, as will any other parents looking for a fun, uncommon, gender-neutral baby name. The name comes from a respelling of the Egyptian name "Men-nefer," which means "enduring" and "beautiful" (via The Bump).

Memphis has not been a particularly common name over time, but it did sharply incline in the year 2000 for both boys and girls, according to The Bump. These days, the name is more popular than in the past, but still not widely used, ranking at No. 826 for boys and No. 2,136 for girls as of 2021.

"Gossip Girl" fans may recognize the name Leighton due to the actress who plays the show's main character, Leighton Meester. Aside from the actress, the name is not a common one, but that's part of why we think it's one of the best unique unisex baby names.

As far as meanings go, Leighton means a few different things, according to The Bump: "leek," "herb garden," and "meadow town." Add it to your list of gender-neutral, nature-inspired baby names.

Asa is a Hebrew and Japanese name that means "healer" and "born in the morning," according to Nameberry. It has biblical history, as Asa was a king of Judah, so this could be a great choice for parents looking for spiritual or religious baby names.

Aside from the popularity of the actor Asa Butterfield, the name is not a common one to see and hear in media or pop culture — all the more reason to consider it as a unique, gender-neutral baby name option.

For those who like names inspired by Greek mythology, Echo may be a good uncommon unisex baby moniker. As the myth goes, Echo was a nymph whose ability to speak was taken away; the only sounds she could make were repeating the last words of those around her, hence the meaning of the name, which is "reverberating sound."

Despite its somewhat sad meaning, the moniker is an intriguing option that would certainly stand out. According to The Bump, it ranked No. 2,322 in 2021 for girls. Since it is used less frequently for boys, little data is available on its usage each year.

Arrow is a gender-neutral baby name with British origins that refers to the "projectile fired from a bow," according to BabyNames.com. Arrow is a great option for parents who like names like Archer or Ari, but want something that's used a bit less often.

As of 2021, the name ranked No. 3,126 for boys and No. 4,256 for girls, according to The Bump, making it an uncommon choice.

Desi is a French and Spanish name that means "desired," per Nameberry. It's a gender-neutral name that is also said to come from the Latin and Italian name "Desiderio." This could be a great option for parents who like contemporary names that end in vowels or vowel sounds, such as Remy, Nico, and Noah.

The name has stayed relatively uncommon over the years; according to The Bump, it ranked at No. 5,183 in 2021 for boys. Data for the use of "Desi" for girls is unavailable, presumably due to it being used less often.

This Irish name means "slender" and is a variation of the Irish word "Caolán," via The Bump. Caelan is a unique, gender-neutral alternative for parents who are drawn to more common names that sound similar to Caelan like Colin, Caitlyn, and Aiden.

Historically, Caelan has been used for boys more often than girls, but it's a name that can work for either. As of 2020, Caelan took the spot of #6,144 for boys and #25,890 for girls, according to The Bump.

Colwyn is a gender-neutral baby name of Welsh origin, so anyone with Welsh lineage may be inclined toward this moniker. Colwyn is the name of a river in Wales, via The Bump, and is a great choice for people who like the sound of names like Colton, Calum, or Colleen.

The name is not a particularly popular one, which is a benefit for those looking for a rare and unique baby name.

Naming a baby after a color isn't for everybody, but for parents looking for an uncommon unisex baby name, Blue could tick the boxes. It's short, sweet, modern, and definitely different than the usual gender-neutral names like Logan and Noah.

As one could imagine, the popularity of the name Blue rose quite a bit after Beyonce named her daughter Blue in 2012. However, the name has been used for boys and girls since the mid-1990s, via The Bump.

You may think of the 2007 movie of the same name when you hear the name Juno, but the name actually has a deeper meaning: "goddess of love." The name, which is Latin in origin, is the counterpart to the Roman god, Jupiter.

Though Juno has a more feminine meaning, it is a name that sounds decidedly unisex, similar to monikers like Nico and Shiloh. It's also an uncommon name, coming in at No. 2,680 for girls as of 2021 and not ranking at all for boys since it's such a rare boy name.

Naming your little one Journey is one way to honor their life, since life is quite a journey for all of us. It's also a way to honor the 1980s band, Journey, for those who are fans. Though the name is used for both boys and girls, it's more common for girls, ranking in the top 1000 as of 2021 at No. 563. For boys, Journey is less common, ranking at No. 3,183, per The Bump.

Fans of another gender-neutral baby name, Dakota, will likely appreciate the shortform of the same name, Koda. The Sioux meaning of this name has a sweet meaning: "friend," while the Japanese meaning of the name, "blessing," is also a fitting name for a baby.

While Dakota is a somewhat popular name, Koda is relatively rare, ranking at No. 5,055 for girls and No. 1,071 for boys, via The Bump. This means parents looking for something different, but slightly familiar, will love this uncommon baby name.