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Original poster

Unisex Names

46 replies

Kma25 · 25/01/2019 02:03

I am expecting a baby girl in six weeks. We are still deciding on the name but a new contender is Rory / Rori.

Only issue is we live in Scotland and this a very common name for boys. However I love it and it’s acrually a nice mixture of both mine and my oh’s name tooSmile

We were thinking Rori would maybe work better than Rory as looks more feminine. We both like the name but obviously have that doubt in the back of our minds what others will think of it as it’s our daughter who will have to go through life with the name.

I know this is a nickname for aurora but I’m not too keen on that, and don’t want to give her an official name we aren’t sure of just so we can use a nickname we like.

So.. dragged my point out, but what would you think if a friend or family member called their little girl this? And opinions on spellings? D9 you think this name would Be mocked or thought of as hideous?

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MrsTerryPratcett · 25/01/2019 02:05

a nice mixture of both mine and my oh’s name too

Really really no. The unisex names for girls thing is not my cup of tea (after all boys never get girls' names) but the blended name is awful. IMO obviously.

Astronica · 25/01/2019 02:24

I quite like it, but prefer the spelling Rory for a girl as well.

Emelene · 25/01/2019 02:26

Not to my taste personally and I do think written down everyone will expect a boy. Would that bother you or her in school, etc?

I'm not sure I would pronounce Rori the same as Rory - I think I'd be tempted to say rorry rather than roar-y but I don't know if that's just me?

All of that being said, if you love the name, you should go for it.

grenadezombie · 25/01/2019 02:38

You are having a girl not a unisex baby.

Spelling a Male name with an i on the end to try and make it feminine is a well outdated practice.

Look for something else.

FutureDays · 25/01/2019 03:02

As someone with a unisex name I would say don't,
my name when I was born was popular for girls spelt one way in the US and the same spelling was popular for boys in the UK.
I got teased constantly for having a boys name, I would get post address to Mr (my name) and people would assume I was male before they had met me.
Where I live there is 3 of us with the same name, one man with the exact same spelling as mine (made it awkward when at the Drs we both stood up until she clarified she was a midwife) and another female but she has her name spelt the female way.

FartnissEverbeans · 25/01/2019 03:23

I think if you live in Scotland it will be seen as very weird.

Like naming her Dave or Stephen

twinkletwirlytoes · 25/01/2019 03:43

I know a little Rori, she's adorable and loves her name! If you like it go for it 😊

chipsnmayo · 25/01/2019 03:47

Some names you can get away as being unisex (generally place or surname names)

But no, no, no to Rori. You do not want to do that to your poor DD, if her name is on a piece of paper (school rolls, orders etc) people will always assume she is a boy. Rori has always been a boys name.

About 15 odd years ago my DD went to creche with a little boy called Stacey! Always thought that was bizarre.

Ricekrispie22 · 25/01/2019 04:56

I’m a Gilmore Girls fan so I like the name Rory for a girl but in a Gilmore Girls it’s short for Lorelai

Subla2401 · 25/01/2019 06:51

I like it! It makes me think of the female Rory from Gilmore Girls.

FurzeandHarebells · 25/01/2019 06:55

D9 you think this name would Be mocked or thought of as hideous?

I don’t think she will be mocked but I think people will raise an eyebrow and assume you are a huge Gilmore Girls fan.

It’s not the worst name I’ve read on MN but are lots of really lovely Scottish girls names out there....

BertrandRussell · 25/01/2019 06:59

No such thing as a unisex name. Only boy’s names that girls are “allowed” to use.
Give her a girl’s name. I am prepared to bet you wouldn’t call a boy Grace. So why would you call a girl Rory?

AuntieStella · 25/01/2019 07:05

I don't think Rory is a unisex name. People will assume your baby is a boy, especially in Scotland where (as you note) it's a common name and invariably for a boy.

I don't think that fiddling with the spelling will make it one whit easier for your DD when she is actually living with a boy's name. So if you do go for thus, just use the spelling you like better, because it really makes no difference.

Jaz32 · 25/01/2019 07:11

I think it’s ok as a nickname for a girl, full name Lelori or Aurora but not a stand alone name for a girl. As others have said to see it written down you would assume boy.

tammytoby · 25/01/2019 07:12

I know an adult female Rory. I also know a small Aurora nicknames Rory.

I like it . Maybe give your dd a more feminine middle name to avoid any confusion.

Thistles24 · 25/01/2019 07:15

A child at school with DS has a boys name, and there are another 2 boys in the class. She is referred to as “James, the girl” by the other pupils. I often wonder if her parents regret giving her a masculine name- I’m pretty sure I would!

Perrie · 25/01/2019 07:23

Rory is on our girls name list, so I love it! I know somebody with a particularly unusual name, and until I had met him, I wasn't keen. But he really just fits it to his name and it really suits him. It's 2019, alot of names are a bit outside the box :), and I think Rory is actually tame. Go with it if you like it!

BrieAndOatcakes · 25/01/2019 07:23

I wouldn't do it. Keep Rory for any potential future sons/male pets. I know a few female Jamies and people do assume they're male until they meet in person.

strawberrypenguin · 25/01/2019 07:26

Sorry it's a boys name. She'll spend her life with people being surprised when they meet her because she's a girl/woman.
Use it as a nickname, not a full name.

FurzeandHarebells · 25/01/2019 07:29

A child at school with DS has a boys name, and there are another 2 boys in the class. She is referred to as “James, the girl” by the other pupils.

Yep, we have a “Cameron Girl” at our school. She doesn’t ever get called Cameron T which would be the usual differentiator. It’s Cameron and Cameron Girl.

She’s named after her Dad I believe.

Sarahandduck18 · 25/01/2019 07:40

I only know English Rory’s spelled like that the Scottish ones are all Ruari/dh and pronounced Roo- ree

Marcipex · 25/01/2019 08:12

Id expect Ruari in Scotland.
Rori just looks like you can't spell it. Also smacks of Danni, Nikki etc, very nineties.
If you don't like Aurora, which is a bit of a mouthful, I'd try to find another 'real' name.
Elinor nn Rori?

Marcipex · 25/01/2019 08:19

@chipsnmayo I know a male Stacey too. It's his given name and does raise eyebrows.
I suppose it was originally derived from Eustace.

I also know a male Kirsten. His mother thought it sounded masculine.

MacarenaFerreiro · 25/01/2019 08:19

Rory isn't a unisex name.

Modestandatinybitsexy · 25/01/2019 08:21

How do you feel about Lorelei? Said Lor-re-lie, Rory's a cute nickname for that.

My nickname is a male name spelt with an "i" and the number of times I get asked "oh! Is that short for...?"