Unisex Names Trending Hard in 2025: 60+ Gender-Fluid Names Everyone's Obsessed With
Unisex Names Trending Hard in 2025: 60+ Gender-Fluid Names Everyone's Obsessed With
The Names Everyone's Choosing Right Now
I spend an unreasonable amount of time tracking baby name trends. Not the official Social Security data—that's already 6-12 months old by the time it's published. I'm talking about the real-time pulse: what names are popping up on birth announcements, what names parents-to-be are debating in forums, what names Instagram influencers are giving their kids.
And right now? Unisex names are absolutely dominating.
This isn't just my observation—it's backed by data. Gender-neutral names have been climbing steadily for a decade, and in 2025, they've hit critical mass. Names that used to seem 'experimental' are now mainstream. Parents across the political spectrum, from progressive cities to conservative suburbs, are choosing names that don't pick sides.
Here's what's actually trending—the names that are hot right now, the ones about to blow up, and my predictions for what's coming next.
Why Unisex Is Having a Moment
Several cultural forces are converging to make gender-neutral names more popular than ever.
The Gender Conversation
Society is having an ongoing conversation about gender—what it means, how rigid it should be, who gets to define it. Regardless of where you land politically, this conversation has made everyone more aware of gendered assumptions. Parents are thinking about gender in naming in ways previous generations didn't.
Millennial and Gen Z Parents
The generations now having babies grew up questioning gender norms. They're more likely to want options for their kids, more likely to value flexibility over tradition. Unisex names feel natural to parents who've spent their lives deconstructing gender boxes.
Professional Equality Awareness
Parents know that gendered names can trigger bias. Giving your daughter a name that could belong to a male CEO removes one potential barrier. This isn't about hiding gender—it's about not letting it be the first thing people assume.
The Aesthetic Shift
Unisex names just sound modern. They tend to be short, punchy, and fresh. They have a contemporary vibe that heavily gendered names sometimes lack. Style matters, and unisex is stylish right now.
The Hottest Unisex Names Right Now
These names are peaking in 2025. You're already seeing them everywhere.
Currently Dominating
- Sage - The herb and the adjective. This name has been climbing for years and hit a tipping point. It's everywhere now—and still feels fresh.
- River - Nature name that's been gender-neutral since the beginning. Phoenix Joaquin helped, but River didn't need celebrity boost. It flows.
- Rowan - Celtic tree name that's been rising for both genders. The 'row' sound is satisfying; the meaning ('little red one') is charming.
- Quinn - Short, strong, and increasingly popular. The Q gives it distinction; the meaning ('counsel') gives it depth.
- Finley - Scottish 'fair warrior.' This has been trending for girls and boys simultaneously—neither gender is pulling ahead.
- Avery - Once masculine, now perfectly balanced. It peaked for girls but boys are catching up, creating true equilibrium.
- Charlie - Classic nickname that's become a standalone name for everyone. Royal baby usage helped; the friendly sound did the rest.
- Riley - Irish energy that works for anyone. The spelling variations (Rylee, Ryleigh) skew female; Riley stays neutral.
- Jordan - The OG unisex name of the 90s is having a comeback with millennials naming babies after their childhood friends.
- Blake - Old English 'dark' or 'pale.' The contradiction suits the fluidity. Works beautifully for any child.
Firmly Established
- Taylor - Post-Swift, this has re-balanced. Once heavily female, boys are reclaiming it. True neutrality achieved.
- Morgan - Welsh sea-born name. Arthurian legend (Morgan le Fay) and corporate professionals share this name.
- Casey - Irish vigilance. The friendly KC sound works for everyone.
- Cameron - Scottish crooked nose. The 'Cam' nickname works for all genders.
- Peyton - English origins. The Manning brothers made it male; general usage made it neutral.
- Kendall - English valley name. Jenner visibility helped; the sound did the heavy lifting.
- Reese - Welsh enthusiasm. Witherspoon dominates, but boys are using it confidently.
- Skylar - Dutch scholar. The 'Sky' element feels limitless and ungendered.
Rising Stars to Watch
These names are about to blow up. Get them now if you want to be ahead of the curve (or avoid them if you prefer less popular names).
About to Explode
- Wren - The tiny bird with the big voice. Currently rising fast on both sides of the gender divide.
- Ellis - Welsh 'benevolent.' This has been bubbling under for years and is about to break through.
- Sutton - English place name. The -ton ending sounds substantial; the overall effect is modern.
- Lennox - Scottish place name. The X ending adds edge. Rising for both genders.
- Kit - Short for Christopher or Katherine, now standalone. Harington (Game of Thrones) gave it visibility.
- Remi/Remy - French 'oarsman.' Ratatouille's rat made it charming; parents made it trendy.
- Marlowe - English 'driftwood hill.' Literary (Christopher Marlowe) and Hollywood baby names collide.
- Harlow - English 'rock hill.' Jean Harlow glamour for modern babies of any gender.
- Phoenix - Greek resurrection bird. Rising from ashes into the top charts.
- Shiloh - Hebrew 'peace.' Jolie-Pitt baby made it famous; the sound keeps it trending.
Watch This Space
- Navy - The color and the military branch. Unusual but increasingly used.
- Ocean - Elemental and vast. A few more celebrity babies and this goes mainstream.
- Scout - To Kill a Mockingbird heroine. Works for any gender, feels adventurous.
- Indigo - The color between blue and violet. Creative parents love it.
- Arden - English 'valley of the eagle.' Shakespeare connection, modern sound.
- Ever - English 'always.' Short, meaningful, rising fast.
- True - English virtue name. Short and powerful.
- Reign - English 'royal rule.' Instagram-ready and gender-free.
Celebrity-Driven Trends
Celebrities don't create trends, but they amplify them. Here's what famous parents are choosing.
Recent Celebrity Unisex Choices
- Rumi - Beyoncé and Jay-Z's daughter. Poet name, instant trend.
- Story - Hilary Duff's choice. Narrative name that feels meaningful.
- Banks - Hilary Duff again. Financial institution or riverbank? Both work.
- Stormi - Kylie Jenner's daughter. Weather name with attitude.
- Dream - Rob Kardashian's daughter. Aspirational and neutral.
- North - Kim and Kanye's daughter. Directional naming taken seriously.
- Saint - Kim and Kanye's son. Religious but neutral.
- Chicago - Kim and Kanye's daughter. Place names continue to trend.
What Celebrity Trends Mean
When celebrities choose a name, it doesn't automatically become popular—but it does become visible. Names like Apple (Gwyneth Paltrow) didn't trend, but names like Luna (Chrissy Teigen) did because they matched existing cultural momentum.
What's Coming Next
Based on current patterns, here's my prediction for the next wave of unisex trends.
Nature's Next Wave
After River and Sage, expect more specific nature names: Cedar, Linden, Cypress, Alder. Tree names feel grounded and timeless.
Surname Revival
More surnames will cross over: Collins, Palmer, Warren, Shaw. They feel professional and naturally neutral.
Short Virtue Names
After True and Ever, expect: Just, Kind, Brave, Free. Monosyllabic virtues that work as names.
International Crossovers
Names neutral in other languages will cross over to English: Sasha (Russian), Nico (European), Yuki (Japanese), Robin (Scandinavian neutral).
Trend-Proofing Your Choice
If you're choosing a trending name, here's how to think about it.
Embrace the Trend
Popular names are popular for a reason—they're good! Your child being one of three Quinns in kindergarten isn't a tragedy. It means other parents also have good taste.
Avoid the Peak
If a name is everywhere right now, consider one that's rising instead. You'll be ahead of the curve rather than at the peak.
Classic Wins Long-Term
Names with history (Charlie, Jordan, Morgan) age better than newly-invented names. Historical usage provides stability.
Sound Over Trend
Choose a name because you love how it sounds, not because it's trending. Trends change; your love for the name should be constant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Will these trending names become dated like Jennifer or Jason?
Possibly—but that's okay. Names come in waves, and being part of your generation's naming wave is fine. Jennifer and Jason aren't embarrassing; they just timestamp you. Names like River or Quinn will eventually feel '2020s,' but that's not a problem unless you're determined to be timeless.
Q2: How do I spot real trends vs temporary hype?
Look for names rising across multiple demographics and regions. Real trends show up in different communities simultaneously. If a name is only popular in one niche (Instagram influencers, specific regions), it might not have staying power.
Q3: Should I follow trends or intentionally avoid them?
Neither is inherently better. If you love a trending name, use it—your love for it matters more than its ranking. If you hate sharing names, look for rising names or classics instead. The goal is a name you love, not a name that performs well on some imaginary uniqueness scale.
Q4: Are unisex names just a fad that will fade?
Unisex names have existed as long as names have existed. What's new is intentionally choosing them. This isn't a fad—it's a shift in how we think about gender and naming. The specific trending names will change; the category is here to stay.
Q5: What if a name that's currently unisex becomes gendered?
It happens—Ashley was male, now it's female; Madison was neutral, now it's female. You can't control future usage. Choose a name you love now, and trust that your child will make it their own regardless of how others use it.
The Future Is Fluid
Names reflect culture, and our culture is increasingly comfortable with fluidity. The trending unisex names of 2025 represent more than just style—they represent a shift in how we think about identity, assumption, and possibility.
Will every one of these names become classics? Probably not. Some will peak and fade. But the movement toward gender-neutral naming isn't going anywhere. It's becoming the new normal.
Whether you choose a name because it's trending or despite it being trending, choose one that feels right. The best name for your child is the one that makes you smile every time you say it—trending or not.
Want to see what's actually trending? SoulSeed tracks real-time popularity data and lets you filter by how 'hot' a name is right now. Because sometimes you want to be on trend—and sometimes you want to know what to avoid.
