30 unisex name ideas: photos

Reviewed by Rachel Gregory, Writer, Editor and Project Manager

Written by Sally Bathgate | 5 Sep 2023

If you're keeping your baby's sex a surprise, or just want a name that's a little bit different, a unisex name could be the answer! Gender-neutral names are growing in popularity in Australia, too. Popular unisex names here include Charlie, Jamie and Taylor. Check out our 30 gender-neutral name ideas. And if you find one you like, save it to your baby names list.

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Andy

Andy is traditionally a cute nickname for Andrew (derived from the Greek for "manly") or Andrea, but takes on a new lease of life when used as a name in its own right. Alternative spellings include Andie and Andee.

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Addison

Addison could be a fabulous name for your new son or daughter. It means "son of Adam" and, like many unisex names, was originally a surname.

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Alex

Though it’s the shortened form of Alexander or Alexandra, Alex is a still a powerhouse of a name. Meaning “defender of the people”, this is a name you’d be proud for your little one to live up to.

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Ashley

Embrace nature’s strength with the name Ashley or Ashleigh. Meaning “ash tree meadow” this sturdy name is most famously associated with Aussie tennis star Ash Barty. In recent times, Ashley has been more popular as a girl’s name in Australia, peaking in popularity in the 1980’s for boys.

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Asher

Bestow happiness on your baby with the name Asher, which is from the Hebrew meaning "fortunate" or "happy". Originally a boy's name, women like actor Asher Keddie show how well it can work for a girl. Other versions to consider are Ash, Asha and Ashton.

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Aubrey

If you want a name with a link to the supernatural, Aubrey is the perfect choice. It is has roots in France and means "supernatural being" or "ruler of elves". Originally a male name, the most famous person with the name today is actor Aubrey Plaza.

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Bailey

Bailey originally referred to a bailiff, someone who lived next to a fortification. It could also have been used to refer to people living near Bailey in Lancashire in the UK.

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Billy

Billy or Billie would be a delightful choice for your son or daughter. It's informal, carefree and quirky all at the same time. Both spellings appear in celebrity lists, as names or stage names, such as tennis player Billie Jean King, outlaw Billy the Kid, musicians Billie Eilish and Billy Idol, and actors Billie Piper and Billy Bob Thornton.

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Blake

Thanks to celebrities like Blake Lively, baby girls are starting to rock this once exclusively masculine name. It confusingly means both "fair-haired" and "dark".

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Cameron

Long-considered a unisex name thanks to actor Cameron Diaz, Cameron is a Scottish surname that comes from a Gaelic nickname meaning "crooked nose". It's a charming name for boys and a sophisticated choice for girls. An alternative spelling for girls is Camryn.

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Casey

Casey is from an Irish surname meaning "vigilant" and also seen as a version of Cassie. It seems to have been a truly unisex name in recent decades, almost equally popular as a girl's and a boy's name. Famous Caseys include Australian singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers, actor Casey Affleck and Aussie tennis player Casey Dellacqua.

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Charlie

This endearing and playful name would be a lovely choice for your baby boy or girl. It’s also one of the most popular names in Australia, consistently topping the polls for both boys and girls. Charlie is a pet form of Charles or Charlotte. It's now becoming a favourite name in its own right.

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Dakota

If you want a name with interesting heritage, Dakota is a great choice. It was originally a Native American Indian name and means "friend, ally".

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Drew

Another shortening of Andrew, Drew jumped on to the unisex list largely thanks to actor Drew Barrymore. More recently, Jessica Simpson used it for her daughter, together with the similarly unisex moniker Maxwell. Drue is an alternative spelling.

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Gray

Gray is usually a surname, so it makes an unusual choice for your child's first name. Gray is thought to be short for Grayson as well as being a colour.

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Hayden

Hayden has Greek roots and means "valley with hay". Actors Hayden Christensen and Hayden Panettiere are examples of how well this works as a unisex name. It’s also one of Australia’s most popular gender-neutral names.

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Hunter

Hunter is a powerful name for your little one, really packing a punch. Perhaps you love the outdoorsy sound of it?

It’s also got an Aussie flavour to it, with a connection to one of our most famous wine regions, the Hunter valley.

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Jamie

Jamie was originally the pet name for James (which is also gaining traction as a unisex name), but is now a common name for boys and girls. Jamie comes from the Hebrew word for "supplanter".

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Jesse

Jesse is another Hebrew name that's proving a hit for parents of both boys and girls. Jesse means "gift". For girls, it's sometimes spelled Jessie.

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Jordan

A stylish and meaningful gender-neutral name that means “flowing down” in Hebrew. And it’s not just basketball fans that pick the name, inspired by sporting titan Michael Jordan. It’s also got biblical connections to the famous Jordan river.

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Luca

A name with Greek or Latin origins, Luca is a sweet yet strong name, equally fitting for girls and boys. It's popular in Europe and among celebrities, with Audrey Hepburn, Colin Firth, Jennie Garth, Hilary Duff and Vincent d'Onofrio using it for their offspring.

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Morgan

Morgan derives from the Old Welsh name Morcant, which was originally a boy's name. It means "great circle".

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Peyton

Peyton is a good option if you want an unusual choice of name for your baby. It has Latin origins and means "noble".

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Quinn

Hoping for an intelligent bub? Quinn is from the Irish meaning "wise" or "chief". Pop culture references include the Bob Dylan song The Mighty Quinn and characters in Glee and Scandal. It can also be used as a nickname for Quinlan, or spelled Quin.

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Reese

Reese is from the Welsh for 'enthusiastic, ardent'. It's sported by actors Reese Witherspoon and Rhys Muldoon. There are several spelling options for this one, including Rees, Rhys and Reece.

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Photo credit: Anna Palma for BabyCenter

Riley

Riley has several origins: "wood clearing" (from the Old English), "valiant" and an adaptation of the Irish surname Reilly. It's popularity is rising as a girl's name, but it's also still a solid choice for a boy.

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Sasha

Bestow a heroic name on your little one with this charmer. Traditionally Sasha is the Russian short form of Alexandra or Alexander, which means "defender of mankind". For Sasha Obama, the daughter of former US president Barak Obama, it's a shortening of Natasha. It can also be spelled Sacha (as in writer and actor Sacha Baron Cohen) or Sascha.

Photo credit: Anna Palma for BabyCenter

Stevie

Stevie is a pet form of the names Stephen and Stephanie. The name means "crown garland".

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Taylor

The name Taylor has been loved by people of all genders for decades. It comes from the Old English word "tailor," which means, of course, "one who makes clothes." Famous Taylors include pop megastar Taylor Swift and actor Taylor Lautner.

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Tyler

Tyler is another name with English origins. It means "maker of bricks or tiles". It could make a great name for your own little builder.

Did you know you can create your own baby names list and easily save names to it? And if you're still seeking inspiration, search from more than 16,000 names in our Baby Name Finder.

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