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What Are Gender-Neutral Names and Why Are They Important?

Gender-neutral baby names cover a wide umbrella of possibilities that are not bound to any one sex. As opposed to traditional “girl names” and “boy names,” these options aren’t intended to clue others into the baby’s identity as it relates to their gender. While some gravitate toward gender-natural names (also known as unisex, agender, or nonbinary names) simply because of how they look and sound, others are looking toward a more specific motivation. New data collected by the Williams Institute at UCLA finds that there are about 300,000 individuals aged 13-17 who identify as transgender within the United States. Increases in individuals who identify as nonbinary or gender-flexible have also been noted. Research suggests a majority of this group will eventually adopt more affirming titles—a move which has been shown to dramatically reduce symptoms of severe depression among this demographic. While certain pockets of society are becoming more open to these kinds of changes, other areas aren’t quite there yet. A gender-neutral pick might just save your kid the spectacle of having to make a change down the line. Or, if you’re a non-binary person looking to make a change from the name you were given by your parents, this list of gender-neutral names could serve as inspiration.

Check out our original list of gender-neutral names below. We’ve included some of the country’s most popular options along with a few unusual unisex names, just to mix things up. READ THIS NEXT: 300 Girl Names for Fierce & Independent Women.

Names trends have shifted dramatically over the past couple of decades. Gender neutrality is now a major consideration among parents. Some of the most popular unisex baby names include:ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

Harper Avery Madison Willow Paisley Kinsley Brooklyn Kennedy Skylar Quinn

What are the rarest unisex baby names?

The names below made it onto the Social Security Administration’s most recent catalog of the top 1,000 popular baby names, though they remain among the least popular gender-neutral names on the list.

Tori Ryder Micah Loyalty Landry Rylan Tatum Billie Egypt Robin