Is this a girl's name now?

[cloudandmist]

Blair

I'm really crushing on this name and both DH and I see it as a boy's name but the few people we've mentioned it to say they think of girls (Blair from Gossip Girl).

Is this a real issue or is it still very much considered a male name? I have never met any female or male Blairs so I can't even use that as reference.

Our other choices are Fraser, Ashley and Lachlan.

@LostInTheColonies - sorry, I didn't read your post before I posted. My ex-husband's name is Blair too, and yes, lots of boys named Hamish and Angus here.

Blair sounds masculine to me. Americans are in the process of taking half of the boys' names in the English language and turning them into girls' names but presumably you don't live there. Emerson is a girls' name there- I mean- could it be any more boyish?!!!

Blair is definitely a boys name, never heard a girl called Blair

I think it's either, but I know 3 female Blairs and 1 male Blair 🌺

Thank you everyone for your comments! We do feel a tiny bit more comfortable with Blair now and it's growing on me more and more. We still haven't decided though as we are also very keen on Fraser.

And yes! I definitely do regret having talked baby names with our family and friends as I have given them the opportunity to judge them mercilessly. Definitely won't do this for our next one.

I grew up in the States watching The Facts of Life. Blair was always a girls' name to me. I've actually never, ever met a real-life Blair.
I do like Blake for a boy.

Americans are in the process of taking half of the boys' names in the English language and turning them into girls' names but presumably you don't live there.

In the process? We've been doing that shit for decades. Where have you been?
It is true though. Names like Ever, Avery, Blair, Emery are all 'boys' names predominantly used by girls (in the States) nowadays. I actually think of Avery as a girl's name because every Avery I've met has been an American girl. But the boy in Charlotte's Web, Fern's brother, is called Avery, I believe. Old book though. You wouldn't meet many/any male Averys these days, I think.

It's unisex but makes me think of Tony Blair. I'm not going to be the only one with that association.

The only Blair I've known in real life was a Scottish guy (a very lovely and attractive one, I might add!) so I think boy and have positive associations with it. And I grew up in North America, for whatever that's worth. I like all your names though, OP.

There is this ridiculous idea that once a traditionally male name "goes girl" you couldn't possibly consider using it on a son, it would scar him for life. Many of the boy names I'm considering for this baby (we don't know the sex) are all very "on the edge" so to speak... as in, they're definitely boy names, but some people might consider them to sound girly or "wet" or know a girl with that name, etc. It doesn't bother me at all, and I figure if I do my job right, it won't bother my maybe-son either.

It sounds like Timmy Mallets bllleeeugghhh. Not a name

Yes I associate it more with female first names, it's on my list but mine is spelt blaire

I know 3 Blairs and they’re all male. Never associated it as a female name at all. I’m in Scotland though.

Live in Scotland, this is definitely a boys name for me. I’ve genuinely lost count of how many Blairs I have worked with but they have all been male and of a wide range of ages.

To me I think unisex but more female than male as I have met 2 female Blairs and no male

It sounds like Timmy Mallets bllleeeugghhh.

This sort of response would put me off using the name if you live in England.

Pronounced with a Scottish accent it doesn't sound remotely bllleeeugghhh !

I'm another Scottish poster who knows several, all men

It sounds like Timmy Mallets bllleeeugghhh.

Pronounced with a Scottish accent it doesn't sound remotely bllleeeugghhh !

Not with an NZ accent either!

Of course Blair is a male name.

There's nothing remotely feminine about it. Maybe Blairina?