There’s A New Gender-Neutral Name Trend Taking Off For Baby Girls

One of the most persistent baby names trends over the last few decades has been gender-neutral names. There are what now feel like truly gender-neutral names like "Peyton" and "Taylor" that have been popular for the last couple decades or so, but over the last few years, parents have brought more names into this category, most notably picking more names traditionally used for boys for baby girls. Scottie is a great example of this—it’s consistently risen in rank each year for the last three years. Parents are also widening the gender-neutral names list with more last names as first names.

To understand this evolution of popular gender-neutral names, I chatted with Colleen Slagen, a baby name consultant and founder of Naming Bebe. She shared insights on the latest shifts in naming trends and offered fresh inspiration for parents drawn to gender-neutral names. I also analyzed the most popular gender-neutral names from our own Babylist Babes database, where parents share their baby's name with us.

Whether you're naming a baby or simply a name enthusiast like me, here's the scoop on the gender-neutral names that are reshaping how we think about this genre.

“Dad-Core” Nicknames Are The New It-Girl Names

The biggest shift in gender-neutral names is that parents are choosing names for girls that are traditionally nicknames for boys. Slagen actually calls these “your BFF’s dad’s name,” which we think perfectly sums it up. I asked Slagen why she thought these were getting popular, and she explained that these types of names “are hitting all sorts of concomitant trends [like] boy names for girls, nicknames as given names, classic but fresh—meaning, established names but they feel fresh when repurposed for the opposite gender than you’d expect. Scottie, Andi, and Charlie [are names] I probably hear the most.”

They’re short, playful and derived from masculine names and can ultimately stand on their own as a first name for girls. “The ‘y’ ending sound gives it a very friendly, casual, playful feel and many do an ending ‘ie’ or just ‘i’ to make the name look more feminine,” she explains. Here are a few I noticed on Babylist Babes.

• Bennie

• Frankie

• Mattie

• Scottie

• Sonny

• Stevie

Last Names Are Still Hot For First Names, But They've Updated

Surnames as first names aren’t new—think Hudson, Carter, Greyson—particularly for baby boys. But what’s new is surnames-as-first-names are exploding in popularity on Babylist Babes, but for girls. 

These names carry a distinguished vibe while still feeling modern and stylish. “These are huge. Hilary Duff has daughters named Banks and Townes,” Slagen says. Collins and Sutton are the most popular with Babylist parents in this group, with Miller (nickname = Millie) quickly emerging as an unexpected favorite. They're preppy without being precious, striking that perfect balance between unique and wearable. Here are the gender-neutral surnames we’re seeing more and more of on Babylist Babes.

• Collins

• Parker

• Sutton

• Miller

• Palmer

• Hunter

Soft Consonant Boy Names Are Trending

"Short, soft-sounding boy names are making their way onto more girls' name lists," says Slagen, with names like Arlo, Luca, and Ezra leading the way. Some choices, like Evan and Noa, offer a subtle twist, while bolder picks like Murphy and Masen make a statement. What ties them all together? A fresh, contemporary feel that redefines traditional naming norms. Here are a handful that are rising in popularity on Babylist Babes.

• Aiden

• Avery

• Emerson

• Evan

• Everett

• James

• Lennon

• Luca

• Masen

• Murphy

• Noa

• Sawyer

Earth-Inspired Names Break Gender Boundaries

Nature-inspired names always seem to be trending, and these picks combine the grounding energy of natural elements with gender neutrality. These are four names we’re noticing on Babylist Babes that fit with this aesthetic. Atlas brings mythological weight while still feeling fresh and adventurous. Place names like Denver and Rio offer a subtle nod to geography, while Rowan—with its Celtic roots and tree connection—bridges nature and heritage.

• Atlas

• Denver

• Rio

• Rowan

Edgier Gender-Neutral Names of the Past = Modern & Timeless Picks 

Looking for a name that stands the test of time? These gender-neutral favorites balance charm and versatility, making them perfect for any little one. From classic picks like Taylor and Jordan to modern favorites like Tatum and Quinn, these names offer a sense of individuality while remaining effortlessly timeless. More recently, parents are going for names that have traditionally been boy names and using them for their baby girls. “Charlie and Blake are names that used to be almost exclusively for boys and are now gender-neutral, used almost equally for both genders,” says Slagen. Here are a few I noticed popping up on Babylist Babes.

• Blake

• Cameron

• Charlie (aka Charlotte)

• Drew

• Dylan

• Jordan

• Micah

• Parker

• Peyton

• Riley

• Tatum

• Taylor

• Quinn