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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Gender neutral names/nicknames

107 replies

CheesyMother · 02/10/2019 12:11

I’m just wondering if anyone has some ideas of names that can be used for both girls and boys, or where the usual nickname is one that can be for both boys and girls.

So names like Leslie, Evelyn etc but also names like Charles/Charlotte which would both be Charlie, Henry/Harriet which would both be Harry.

Thanks!

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Original poster
CheesyMother · 10/10/2019 08:31

And I’m looking for one for a boy too because discrimination and societal expectations of gender norms affects everyone! You yourself even said that a big reason for not looking for a neutral name for a girl was because no-one would do that for a boy... I am, and I very consciously try to treat all children the same - as gender should not matter at all (until puberty). In my view, that’s the only way we will ever change society.

OP posts:
Original poster
CheesyMother · 10/10/2019 08:26

Have you even read any of my posts @BertrandRussell? All my initial posts were about finding a neutral name for my baby. Some people then assumed it was a girl and I engaged in the discussion on that point, but I am looking for a name for my baby, whatever sex it is. I’ve explicitly said this already.

OP posts:
MissHenty · 09/10/2019 16:35

Most large companies now redact the candidates name and gender from the application forms as it’s shown by research to be a fairer way to select candidates for interviews

By the time our kids are interviewing I recon this will be fairly standard

BertrandRussell · 09/10/2019 16:29

I’m a bit confused now! I thought you wanted a gender neutral name for a girl so people wouldn’t judge her for being a girl. What would be the advantage to a boy in having a gender neutral name?

Original poster
CheesyMother · 09/10/2019 15:50

We don't know the sex yet. I'm just getting a bit frustrated by those posters who are responding as if I'm only looking for a name for a girl...

Thanks everyone for some really good suggestions.

I think it's really interesting that some people see certain names as genuinely neutral and others seem them as "boy" names. I wouldn't assume that either Sam or Alex were boys, but perhaps that's because I was at school with a female Sam and a female Alex and so I'm more conditioned to them as names for girls?

OP posts:
Goldiegorilla · 09/10/2019 02:18

I know a 9 year old boy called Jess. He is Jesse but goes by nickname Jess.

Ashley is pretty neutral unisex name. And Ash for a nickname.

MummytoMatildaX · 08/10/2019 23:08

My name is Jordan (I’m 27yo female) and inspiration for this was Jordan Mooney from the Tom Cruise movie, Cocktail!

Jordan
Jamie
Robin
Morgan
Ellis
Reece
Sandy
Elliot
Alex
Charlie
Blake
Joey (My Dads Aunt is names Joey & is in her 80’s)

x

WingingWonder · 08/10/2019 23:04

Taylor
George
Andi
Drew
Matty
Percy (Persephone)

Bouledeneige · 08/10/2019 22:58

Jude
Billy
Corey
Remi
Bron
Sidney
Alex
Cody
Jay
Micky
Lin

LadyCarolinePooterVonThigh · 08/10/2019 16:44

Basil? Narcissus? Nature is full of lovely names for boys! I'm not sure that tree names are patriarchal, though. Rowan? Sometimes a name is just a name;-)

TatianaLarina · 08/10/2019 16:26

OP is pulling your leg.

AfterSomeAdvice1234 · 08/10/2019 16:26

My favourite - Freddie! Love that for a girl.

TatianaLarina · 08/10/2019 16:24

My (female) friends called Alex or Sam have never been mistaken for a man!

Sorry but - bollocks.

MissHenty · 08/10/2019 14:34

Girls seem to be able to get away with having boys names (I know another baby girl called James)

But boys having girls names seems to be forbidden

What does that tell us about patriarchy @CheesyMother xx

MissHenty · 08/10/2019 14:32

I didn’t know or want to be rude

A friend of mine just had a girl called Noah

BertrandRussell · 08/10/2019 14:21

Oh of course it’s not a unisex name. And I utterly refuse to believe that anyone would seriously call a boy Violet! Grin

MissHenty · 08/10/2019 13:59

@BertrandRussell is it a unisex name then or are you pulling our leg?

Either way I like it for a boy

BertrandRussell · 08/10/2019 11:56

Villy for short.

MissHenty · 08/10/2019 11:50

@CheesyMother ahh never heard Violet for a boy that sounds nice, I really like the name

LadyCarolinePooterVonThigh · 08/10/2019 11:16

Congratulations OP!

HeavyDeuty · 08/10/2019 05:10

Philip/Philippa = Pip

Original poster
CheesyMother · 08/10/2019 02:32

Thanks for all your help @BertrandRussell. We’ve found out we’re having a boy and I’ve decided to go for one of your suggestions - Violet.

OP posts:
TheDarkRoom · 05/10/2019 16:34

How about Sarah or Emily?

How about Jonathan or David?

BertrandRussell · 05/10/2019 15:18

How about Sarah or Emily?

BigRedBoat · 05/10/2019 15:13

Cameron? Drew?

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