Is having a unisex name a hinderance?

My brother has a unisex name- he was teased at school and now absolutely hates it (even though its more commonly used for boys)! Didn't put me off giving ds a unisex name as well though- I think if you like a name then go for it.

I know a male Tracey - not all that uncommon in NZ apparently

kim or kimberley was actually a boys name originally its only in the uk since the 80s that its been used as a girls name, i got ridiculed all yhrough school for having a 'boys' name but my dad wanted to call me kingsley so kim is a lot better than that!!
i love love love the name kitm sophie ellis bextor named her son kit!

I know a male Kim, had never considered it odd . . . (nor ever known anyone to comment on it).

But Kit is one of my all time favourite boys names

Just had another thought on this. A friend's youngest boy is Alex (as am I). This is greatly confused his elder siblings as to why/how "Alex is having a baby"! Emergency "baby" talk was needed.

I don't think of names like Alex and Sam as unisex names though, since they're abbreviated versions of different names, depending on the sex...

Alexandra is not a unisex name; it's a girl's name.

I named DD1 Ainslie Frances and didn't realise how unisex it was until woman making baptism cake had to ask if it was a boy or girl due to both names. Oops.

But I love unisex names for girls. DD2 due on sunday and a few of the names I like are unisex again. Brodie, Casey, Alexandra.

I work with THREE male Lindsays. Didn't realise it was so common for men, they are all strapping gents and high up in the company (making the mega bucks) so the name didn't hinder their success.

my mum is a vivien frances, she says it's because her dad always wanted a boy

i have known male kerry's, female lee's and one great big strapping farmer christened clover! think this one was a little cruel but agree sams, alex's etc are all fine for either

Libby, no not in Wales, although I knew them from school so he could have moved since!

This thread made me smile, because my names are Alexandra Frances

Hated my name as a child, love it now. Always known as Alex, so much so that when I was little I thought my middle name was Andra.

My ds is Laurie which is a unisex name (weird choice for a girl I think though - articulated vehicle and all that!). The only time it's ever been an issue was when we were on holiday in America as lots of older women turned around when I called out his name!!

I quite like unisex names personally Rowan, Sandy, Jude are all cool names imo.

I think that names like Sam, Chris and Alex seem a bit different though as the feminine and masculine versions end differently.

What about Sacha, Enda or Jesse.

I agree with Chavtastic. Some names are truly unisex, like Sam, chris, Alex, charlie.

Rowan and Casey are little bit unisex too, less classic.

what about the name Chris? we are thinking of Christopher for a boy (thought we'd decided on a name but changed our minds again!). I would imagine it would get shortened to Chris, but would that cause a problem?

sorry for hijacking

Might be a problem if it's v. popular in the other sex and they marry someone with the same name. I have come across a couple who were both Pat Surname!

I agree with Skihorse. It depends on the name.

If a boy or girl introduced themselves to me as Charlie, I wouldn't bat an eyelid, but if a boy introduced himself as Kim I would probably think, "poor fella!"

Ski - Francis/Frances is another corker for the thick people!

missseptember, I used to know someone who had a brother called Courteney! I wonder if it's the same person!

My name is unisex but I have never met anyone male with the name. I think it's more common as a girl's name as the only person I have heard of with the name, that is male, is someone in a famous band!

TBH, if I ever met a man with the same name as me I think I would be a bit .

I'm an Alexandra. It's a wonderful way to find out just how thick other people are - there are many who don't know the difference between Alexander and Alexandra.

As far as unisex names go... there's a difference I think between Charlie and Kim. I knew a male Kim - he used to introduce himself with "My name's Kim but you can call me Susan" - he always had to get the joke in first.

depends on the name.

my ds is Morgan - he is 'all boy' so I don't wory about hime being taken for a girl.

I must confess that with hindsight had I realised that it as popular as a girls name as it is (at the time I only really considered it a boys name) I wouldn't have chosen it

What's the name?

Might be an advantage sometimes! Like if you're applying for a job that tends to be biased one way. Or when I book my car into the garage, it would be good if they thought I was a man and didn't try and rip me off!