100 unique and rare gender neutral baby names

Choosing a name for your child is one of the first and most significant decisions you’ll make as a parent. In a world that increasingly values diversity and inclusivity, opting for a unique gender-neutral name is more than just a trend—it’s a decision that can empower your child with the freedom to define their own identity. Gender-neutral names break away from traditional gender norms, offering your child the opportunity to navigate life with a sense of individuality and uniqueness. Whether you want to keep the baby’s gender a surprise or simply wish to give your child a versatile name that stands out, this guide to 100 unique gender-neutral names will provide you with a wealth of options that are as meaningful as they are memorable.

Within this guide, you’ll discover a variety of names tailored to different tastes and preferences. For those who appreciate brevity and affection, our Short and Sweet Names section offers concise yet endearing options. Meanwhile, our Vintage and Classic Names provide a nod to the past with timeless appeal that never goes out of style. Each category is curated to offer distinctive choices that are sure to make a lasting impression, perfect for a name that not only stands out in the kindergarten roll call but also brings a smile at every soccer practice. Have your highlighter handy as we explore these 100 unique gender-neutral names, each as extraordinary as your little one is sure to be.

Natural-Wonder Names

Draw inspiration from the great outdoors with these Natural-Wonder Names that capture the essence of Earth’s stunning landscapes.

Perhaps your partner proposed to you before the splendid backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Maybe you chalk up your favorite childhood memories to the times you and your sibling went into the local watering hole every summer. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself searching for unique gender-neutral names that exude Mother Nature in all of her grandeur, look no further. From flora to fauna (to everything blue and green in between), here are some Earth-inspired monikers to toss in the unisex baby name ring:

1. Banks
2. Heron
3. Reed
4. Poppy
5. Zephyr
6. Cypress
7. Azure
8. Brooks
9. Umi
10. Peregrine

Magical and Fantastical Names

Embrace the mystical with Magical and Fantastical Names that are perfect for little ones with imaginations that know no bounds.

It’s hard not to enjoy that whimsical time of year when the leaves begin to turn an unmistakable shade of scarlet and rust. The air is crisper. The fall décor comes out. Your coffee suddenly smolders with those seasonal undertones of pumpkin spice. If, like many others, you hang your Halloween decor long before October 1st, you might be inspired to sprinkle your love for all things magic into your little one’s name. For gender-neutral baby names with a touch of charm, here are ten enchanting unisex names with magical overtones:

1. Aspen
2. Cosmo
3. Coven
4. Mabon
5. Sage
6. Briar
7. Raven
8. Carden
9. Noir
10. Onyx

Short and Sweet Names

Keep it simple and adorable with Short and Sweet Names that are easy to love and even easier to remember.

When you’ve taken a shine to someone, sometimes you give them a nickname as a term of endearment. One day your schoolmate Thomas became Tom. After a few shared classes and a lot of laughs, your high school friend Margaret became Mags (a name only you get away with using). Shortened names can be an outstanding choice for a baby as well. Not only are they born with a given name already abundant in love and adoration, but when it’s time for them to say and write their given name, it’ll be easy as Kai (ahem—pie.) If you dream of calling them by their first and middle names (or even if you’re just smitten with short and sweet), these unisex baby names are all four letters or fewer and are perfect for your sweet babe:

1. Beck
2. Kai
3. Shea
4. Remi
5. Ira
6. Lux
7. Lane
8. Jov
9. Sol
10. Wren

Vintage and Classic Names

Nothing beats the classics. Classic cars, classic movies, classic rock—the list goes on.

Another classic that inevitably finds its way back to “cool” status? Names. Handles that were popular a hundred years ago may have gone out of commission for a while, but they’re coming back with a fervor. These days, parents everywhere are looking up “retro” names to pair perfectly with their future cool babies. (Who will probably have the best taste in music, thanks to you.) If you share an appreciation for throwbacks and want to give your little one a vintage (yet contemporary) name, we’ve got just the ones:

1. Remy
2. August
3. Jennings
4. Ollie
5. Leander
6. Jules
7. Hollis
8. Harlan
9. Ellis
10. Emerson

Geography-Inspired Names

Travel the world through Geography-Inspired Names that bring a sense of adventure and cultural richness to your child’s identity.

Celebrities have fully taken advantage of the location-turned-name baby name trend—Brooklyn, Phoenix, Bronx, oh my! If you’re a traveler at heart, you may want to share your love of travel with your future little one in a bigger way outside of all your future road trips. Those places have shaped you into the person you are now—the person who’s creating this one-of-a-kind human growing inside of you! And while popular baby names based on places may be a trend, we doubt there will be another Breslau in your little one’s preschool class. Whether you’re short-listing your favorite travel destinations as potential unisex baby names or you’re adding to your growing list of destinations to see, here are some of our favorite Wanderlust-inspired names with plenty of gender-neutral flair:

1. Calgary
2. Devereaux
3. Tennessee
4. Zealand
5. Halston
6. Everest
7. Costa
8. Berkeley
9. Darden
10. Elwyn

Surnames Turned First Names

Blend uniqueness with tradition by choosing Surnames Turned First Names, giving a nod to your family’s legacy.

Throughout history, surnames have been an essential puzzle piece of each person’s family history. They can denote not only where your ancestors are from but also a family’s culture and heritage. For many, a last name is a sense of pride in where they come from. So much so, that some parents choose to carry on their surname by gifting it to their child as a first or middle name. If you love the idea of bequeathing your little one with an unisex name rooted in history and culture, you may be interested in some of these:

1. Rowan
2. Zeller
3. Macsen
4. Aniston
5. Barnett
6. Colter
7. Jessen
8. Collins
9. Carver
10. Hawking

Music and Performing Arts Inspired Names

Hit the right note with Music and Performing Arts-Inspired Names, perfect for little ones with a flair for the dramatic and artistic.

Music, theater, and art have the power to evoke strong emotions, connect humanity, and transport us to another time and place. And with 41 genres and 337 sub-genres of music available at the push of a button in our world today, it’s no wonder that music and performing arts are inspiring some of the trendiest baby names. These music-inclined names are perfect for lovers of the arts hoping to instill that appreciation in your little Beethoven:

1. Cadence
2. Clef
3. Jimi
4. Lyric
5. Jazz
6. Echo
7. Coda
8. Porter
9. Duran
10. Zeppelin

One more reason to choose a music-inspired gender neutral name? Music is more than riffs and beats; it transcends language and cultural barriers. When you listen to a song, you hear more than the notes and words—you form an emotional connection, a love affair with the feelings you associate with each song. Just like you will with your baby.

Science-Inspired Names

Celebrate curiosity and innovation with Science-Inspired Names, ideal for children who might one day change the world.

Look at everything around you—your phone, your computer, and even the cordless earbuds streaming audio from your phone to your ears. These creations (and so many more) have changed our lives, all to the credit of a handful of unique, innovative, and ingenious individuals. While our dreams of hovercars may not have come to fruition (those hoverboards in Back to the Future were very misleading), NASA did send multiple rovers to Mars in search of past and present life—an astronomical feat in itself. Who knows what scientific inventions and discoveries will take place during your child’s lifetime? From the solar system to celebrated scientists, here are some unique gender-neutral names that are out of this world:

1. Alchemy
2. Nobel
3. Orion
4. Mercury
5. Argon
6. Tesla
7. Edison
8. Nikola
9. Tauri
10. Delta

Literary Inspired Names

Dive into the world of books with Literary Laureate Inspired Names, drawn from beloved authors and unforgettable characters.

Perhaps you were a literature major in college and you’ve gained an impressive collection of hardbacks since then. Maybe you’ve always shared a passion for reading and became a self-taught aficionado of some of the greats. Whatever the reason, your little one might become the next great author with one of these esteemed literary unisex names based on well-known authors and beloved fictional characters:

1. Dahl
2. Tennyson
3. Morrison
4. Bradbury
5. Darcy
6. Eliot
7. Greer
8. Keets
9. Poet
10. Paddington

Vibrant and Colorful Names

Add a splash of color with Vibrant and Colorful Names that reflect a lively and spirited personality.

The world would be drab if we saw everything in shades of black and white. Gray-colored spaghetti just wouldn’t have the same appeal. Thankfully, everywhere you look is dripping in lush colors, from vivacious violets to blazing shades of red and yellow. From Crayon classics like “cadet blue” and “melon” to more flavorful and patriotic names, like “Macaroni and Cheese” and “Purple Mountain Majesty,” there’s a hue for every occasion, including these colorfully creative and unique baby names:

1. Azul
2. Grey
3. Cyan
4. Crimson
5. Indigo
6. Lavender
7. Donaver
8. Farren
9. Navy
10. Krishna

Give Yourself the Gift of “Being In the Know” with SneakPeek

When you’re welcoming a baby into the world, one thing is certain: their name is a gift that will last a lifetime. And that can be a lot of pressure to put on parents! But with a shortlist of unique boy names, girl names, and gender-neutral names on hand, you’ll know exactly who your little one is meant to be when you hold them in your arms for the first time. While gender-neutral baby names may have your family and friends wondering whether you’re adding a little lad or lady to the family tree, you can resolve the great family debate about your child’s gender with the SneakPeek Early Gender Blood Test. With the #1 OBGYN-recommended test, you can learn your baby’s gender as early as six weeks into your pregnancy with clinically proven over 99% accuracy1. The kit comes with step-by-step instructions that make it easy as pie to complete. You simply order the kit, collect your sample at home, and receive your results in as little as the next business day. From conception to signing the birth certificate, SneakPeek is here to support your pregnancy and everything you need to get ready for your baby. Join over 1 million parents who’ve used SneakPeek with their life-changing moments and order your SneakPeek Test today.

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This post has been reviewed for accuracy by:

Priscilla Jeng

Priscilla Jeng is an accomplished digital marketing expert, currently leading as the Associate Director of Digital Marketing at Gateway Genomics, the parent company of SneakPeek. With over four years at Gateway Genomics, Priscilla has played a pivotal role in amplifying the company's mission to develop innovative genetic tests. Her proficiency in digital marketing and her comprehensive understanding of the genomics industry position her as a key contributor to SneakPeek's marketing endeavors.

Sources:

Royal Museums Greenwich. Meet NASA’s New Mars Rover. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/mars-nasa-rover-perseverance-facts-dates