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Baby names

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

Original poster

Picking a non gender name

58 replies

HelenofaccringtonX · 12/06/2022 18:04

Me and my SO are so excited. I just want to be a mum right now! Lol. Baby is due in Feb and we don't want to know the gender before their born. Do you think I'll regret picking a name that could be for a boy or girl? Like when my baby comes do you think I might want it to have a name that feels more girly or manly and it will make the experience not as amazing as it could be?

We really like the name Casey as it can be for a boy or girl but we live in Accrington in the UK and I worry that people will judge us because it sounds American, but I really like the name.

What do you all think? 🤔

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TrashyPanda · 13/06/2022 10:17

Another who remembers Casey Jones and the Cannonball Express!

will always be a boys name for me

ElenaSt · 13/06/2022 10:12

I'm old and can only think of Casey Jones.

Probably not quite what you had in mind for an infant.

BattenburgDonkey · 13/06/2022 10:10

I wouldn’t say Casey is American, but it is a girls name generally. Even if you pick a gendered name it doesn’t need to be ‘girly’ or ‘manly’, you can have strong female names and softer male names. Maybe don’t focus on the sex of the name, just pick a load of names that you like and see what suits at the time, nothing wrong with unisex names though.

Babyenroute · 13/06/2022 10:10

Casey is nice. How about Morgan as another alternative?

rainbowflump · 13/06/2022 10:08

I know a boy and a girl named Cameron, also know one of each named Courtney, Riley and Parker.
I think of Casey as more of a girls name, I've never met a boy with that name but it would defo work for both.

ancientgran · 13/06/2022 10:05

I was named after my father with a unisex name, the only time it has ever been an issue was at a wedding. My exhusband also had a unisex name so whoever had done the seating plan with a strict male/female pattern had us the wrong way round. We swapped seats, that was the peak of confusion about the unisex element so not a big deal at all, in fact it raised a smile.

ancientgran · 13/06/2022 10:02

I think it is nice for either but because I'm ancient I remember the TV programme Casey Jones so I think of it as male. I've never actually met a Casey but I'm pretty sure it would take seconds to adjust my mindset to Casey being female if I met one.

Fayekrista · 13/06/2022 09:59

axolotlfloof · 12/06/2022 18:54

Possibility Tyler could be, but it sounds like a boys' name to be.

Show quote history

Yes to me it's a boy name, in the states its quite common for a girl apparently

DorkfromYork · 13/06/2022 07:56

Another one here who remembers Casey Jones 🙋🏼‍♀️

Mumofgirls2017 · 13/06/2022 07:53

Casey is ok although not to my taste. If you want a unisex name, suggestions:

Rowan
Robin
Quinn
Harley
Rio
River

LaTangerina · 13/06/2022 07:37

Jesse
Alba
?

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 13/06/2022 07:29

notangelinajolie · 13/06/2022 01:02

I would think of Casey as a boy’s name.
’Casey Jones steamin and a rolling’
He was a train driver.
And now the theme tune is playing in my head and I’ll never get to sleep 🙃

Glad I'm not the only person who remembers Casey Jones! We are probably in a tiny minority now, though.

Nishky32 · 13/06/2022 07:29

Casey is a lovely name.

YoureAMeanOneMrGrinch · 13/06/2022 07:25

I live in the north west of England and my son is called Casey and no one had blinked an eyelid at it.

SilverCatStripes · 13/06/2022 07:24

There is nothing wrong with calling a child whatever name you like but be wary of attaching attributes to a name .

bloominglovelyorange · 13/06/2022 07:17

Casey is a lovely name for a boy or girl

HaveringWavering · 13/06/2022 01:09

How about Carey as an alternative?

notangelinajolie · 13/06/2022 01:02

I would think of Casey as a boy’s name.
’Casey Jones steamin and a rolling’
He was a train driver.
And now the theme tune is playing in my head and I’ll never get to sleep 🙃

Pieceofpurplesky · 13/06/2022 00:32

I like unisex names like Teddy, Billie, Mickey - that can be nn for with traditional boy or girls.

Luxa · 13/06/2022 00:01

Cassie for a girl is nice, Caspar for a boy. Casey sounds like an adjective describing an item of luggage.

SummaLuvin · 12/06/2022 20:20

I have a unisex name. It is often viewed as advantageous as people can't know what gender you are until they meet you, but the reality is they make assumptions anyway - I an often expected to be a man. I would also expect Ashley or Erin to be women, and Chris and Harry to be men, despite the fact I know these are both unisex. Almost everyone will make an unconscious assumption based on their own experiences. Also, it has the disadvantage of being more popular as it is used across both sexes. None of this is ultimately a big deal, but worth thinking about if you feel strongly you want a gender neutral name.

Luredbyapomegranate · 12/06/2022 19:22

Why don’t you pick a shortlist for both sexes, some of which could include gender neutral names

Casey is pretty awful

Blue2022 · 12/06/2022 19:02

I'm in the UK and have known a Casey (female) so I wouldn't say it's very American. It's a nice refreshing name

notonyournely · 12/06/2022 19:02

I know one male and one female Casey

toastofthetown · 12/06/2022 18:59

I don't like Casey personally, but I don't think it would be problematic. I'd assume a Casey was girl - possibly because I had a doll called Casey.

For me, although I like some unisex names, I mostly only like them for one sex. August, River, Robin, Rowan and Sacha I like for boys and Briar only for a girl. Frances/Francis is the only name I like across both sexes.