Unisex names.

Another recent trend in naming children is that of using unisex names. Once, when Jordan or Dale were male names, they are now used commonly on girls.

Is this right? Well, in some cases sure. Some boys names can be very cute on a girl, while others are not so. Similarly, a lot of unisex names don't work on boys because they now sound feminine.

The problem with calling your daughter Brayden or your son Lane, is that in lists, such as school admin reports your daughter or son may be put in the boys or girls gym class.

Some names which are used on girls are so masculine that there is little leeway for them to ever get a girlish nickname from them if they end up being a more girly girl.

Unisex names can and do work. But should be used with caution. Names which seem just a little too feminine or masculine such as Morgan for a girl, could be paired with a feminine name such as Rose to soften the name.

The way you spell it is also a big deal. Jesse, is a boys name. Jessie, is a girls name. Head for the spelling which looks more feminine. While i'm not a huge fan of mis-spelling names, Baylee and Camryn look a lot more feminine than Bailey and Cameron.

If a name your thinking about naming your boy is becoming increasingly popular for girls, then steer clear. Names such as Ashley were once okay for boys but as they grew in popularity with girls its not seen as popular anymore. The main rule for unisex name is that Camp Female steals from Camp Male. Hardly ever vice versa.

Names which should be steered clear from (source: http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/:
For a boy..
Addison. Is cute, but becoming very common on girls. Will create problems at school, going from rank 106 to 27 in one year.
Ashley. Very feminine sounding name and predominantly used for girls these days. Being ranked 12th for girls, but 957 for boys. (Some good alternatives if you like it are Ashton, Ashby or Asher)
Avery. Although started to gain popularity as a boys name, it is now much more commonly being used as a girls, and has a lot of association to the name Ava.
Brooklyn. It has "lyn" on the end. Enough said.
Brynn. Although once originally a male name, it is now being taken over by camp female.
Coby. A very feminine sounding name.
Dakota. Girls names commonly end in "A" while boys name typically don't. This name has a feminine feel because of that.
Emerson/ Emery/ Emlyn. Very feminine sounding, a lot more popular for girls and has "Emma/Emily" connotations.
Harper. Girly sounding.
Jaylen. A lot more feminine sounding because of the "len" ending.
Jensen. Quite feminine sounding, especially because of the Jen/Jenny connotations.
Kelly/ Kelsey/ Keeley. Both names scream "I'm a girl!"
Kendall. Been taken over by the girls. Especially because of the "elle-sounding" ending.
Lane. Just sounds like a girls name. Becoming very popular for girls and Elaine/ Laine/ Lainey have always been girls names.
London. Sounds very girlish.
Mackenzie. While I love this name on a boy, it has well and truly been taken of by Camp Female.
Peyton. Becoming less popular for boys, and more popular for girls.
Quinn. Sounds feminine.
Reagan. Becoming very popular with girls. Possibly the new Madison.
Reed. Just sounds feminine.
Sage. This ones going to be taken over by Camp Female. Just you watch.
Shelby/Sheldon. Sounds very feminine with the whole "Shel" thing going on.
Skyler. Oh, it is an adorable name but.. theres not one ounce of masculinity in it.
Sydney. While I like this one better on the blokes, its becoming increasingly female.
Taylor. So cute on boys! But is becoming well entrenched for girls. In the 200s for Males, but number 22 for girls.
Teagan. Just sounds like a little girl.

No-no's for girls.
Aidan/ Hayden/ Cayden/ Brayden. Please. Stop. Such nice little boys names are being stolen right before our eyes. And they sound soooo masculine. Wheres a girly nickname to be found in those?
Brady. Just screams little boy. Also! Means "large-chested" in Gaelic. Big no-no.
Brennan. Just nothing sweet or pretty about it for a girl..
Carson. Do you know what it means when "son" is at the end of names? It means son of. That just marks it as male.
Chandler. Hello. Theres so many "Friends" connotations there.
Chase. This one is such a boys one. Call her Chasey as a nickname instead.
Cody/ Colby/ Corey. This ones just belong to Camp Male. Hands off!
Glen. Noo, please no. Use Glenda instead.
Harley. With all the motorbike connotations and such this one should be untouched.
Harry. Harriet, yes. Harry, no! No! Think Prince Harry. Not cool on a girl.
Jace/ Jayce. The whole point of this, is its short for Jason. A BOYS name. Go for Jacie if you must.
Kai. Short names for girls have to be pretty. This one gives no room for nicknames.
Keegan. Sounds so boyish.
Kennedy. This is just so masculine sounding. I don't understand it. AT ALL. Its not nice sounding..
Kieran. This ones boys. Try Keira.
Landon. This ones becoming very popular with males, ranking in the top 50, while doesn't appear at all in the female lists.
Parker. This one sounds very boyish and masculine.
Preston. Again, very boyish.
Shane. Just nothing pretty about it whatsoever.
Slade. Sounds very boyish. No prettiness in it whatsoever for a little girl.
Tanner. Doesn't sound nice at all for a girl.
Toby. Adorable on a boy, but, on a girl? Hm, just not cute.
Travis. One of the most masculine names ever!! On a girl?? How?
Wyatt. In the top 100 for boys, but not even top 1000 for girls.

Good choices! :)
Boys..
Adair
Ashton
Bailey
Billy
Brady
Brayden
Brodie
Carlin
Caspen
Darby
Darcy
Daylon
Devin (-van or -vin ending for boys)
Dylan
Ellis
Elliot
Francis
Glen
Harley
Harry
Jayce
Jay
Jesse
Jonah
Kai
Kayle
Kayton
Keegan
Kieran
Landon
Lindon
Logan
Micah
Preston
Rhys
Riley
Rylan
Toby
Travis
Tyler
Wyatt

Girls..
Adair
Ainsley
Andie
Arden
Aspen
Aubrey
Avery
Caspen
Devon (-von ending for girls.)
Eden
Ellery
Hadley
Harper
Jamie
Jensen
Keelan/ Keeley
Kendall
Laine
Levi
Mackinley
Madden
Marley/ Marlon
Morgan
Reese
Reed
Rory
Rowan
Sage
Skyler
Taryn
Taylen
Teagan

Comments on the blog? What needs improving? Is there something you'd like talked about in the blog? Want advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au