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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Is having a unisex name a hinderance?

32 replies

AimeeJ · 22/03/2010 12:13

I am thinking specifically of a boy having a name that could also (or more commonly) be a girls name.

I'm not sure it's an issue with the plethora of names you come across now, but my husband says that we might be setting him up for a life of ridicule?

any ideas?

OP posts:

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Chavtastic · 22/03/2010 12:52

Depends on the name, doesn't it?
Alex, Sam, Jamie, Charlie, Dani (Danny) -- I think you'd be okay to call a boy or girl those.

Abi, Jan or Johann (said German way), can probably still get away with.

Laurie, Ashley -- depends which side of the pond you're on.

Sarah, Clarissa, Sue -- definite problems.

missseptember · 22/03/2010 12:57

My friend's brother is called courteney!! It just seems normal to us now

VerityBrulee · 22/03/2010 13:34

DS1 has a name that is more commonly used for girls, and he is fine about it, he likes his name. He is 12 and has never been teased about it. TBH, he's the sort of boy who wouldn't be bothered by that kind of thing

thesecondcoming · 22/03/2010 13:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

posieparker · 22/03/2010 13:37

So many names that are gender specific why would you choose one that isn't. Things like Lesley and Kimberly for a boy are eeewwww for me, names like Jamie, Danny, Ashley are easier but if it's a boy with a girlie name I think it's much worse than a little girl called Harry/Charlie.

Ariesgirl · 22/03/2010 13:42

I love the names Rowan and Robyn/Robin and they could go either way.

5DollarShake · 22/03/2010 14:52

I have to admit, my (perhaps completely wrong) assumption that it would be a hindrance is what would put me off.

DH likes Jude and while I know that Jude is only a boys' name, the fact that he might get teased with Judy and Judith puts me off.

I agree with posie that with so many names being gender-specific it does seem a little contrary to choose one which err, swings both ways...

LadyCressida · 22/03/2010 17:47

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!

Mongolia · 22/03/2010 17:50

What's the name?

BulletProofMum · 22/03/2010 17:53

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

skihorse · 22/03/2010 18:39

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.

Wanderingsheep · 22/03/2010 18:47

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 .

pixiestix · 22/03/2010 18:50

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

Wanderingsheep · 22/03/2010 18:54

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!"

MrsDinky · 22/03/2010 18:57

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!

lovechoc · 22/03/2010 19:02

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

Maggie00 · 22/03/2010 20:00

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

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

Maggie00 · 22/03/2010 20:01

What about Sacha, Enda or Jesse.

Wanderingsheep · 22/03/2010 20:26

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

mintyfresh · 23/03/2010 16:17

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.

GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 23/03/2010 16:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nowwhatdoido · 23/03/2010 16:33

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.

Wanderingsheep · 23/03/2010 22:40

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

j0807bump · 23/03/2010 22:51

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

lola0109 · 24/03/2010 13:14

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.

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