gender-neutral first names of any ethnicity
August 31, 2009 7:48 AM Subscribe
I'm trying to put together a list of gender-neutral first names.
I run table-top roleplaying games at conventions, with characters provided. (For those of you who don't play pencil-and-paper roleplaying games, just think of the characters I'm talking about as synopses for improv characters.) One of the frustrations I've run across as a player is that I'm frequently the only female at the table and feel pressured to take the sole female character offered rather than having my choice. If I do play as a male, it can get tiresome having to constantly correct pronouns among people I don't know very well. Because of this, I try to make as many characters as possible neutral and let the player choose which way they want to play it. That way, if they're "cross-playing", at least it's because they want to.
I've just about run through the common neutral names: Terry, Morgan, Chris and so forth. (Pat is out, thanks to Saturday Night Live.) I've also realized that the neutral names I know are also limiting me somewhat by ethnicity. What are good names that don't immediately announce gender?
I run table-top roleplaying games at conventions, with characters provided. (For those of you who don't play pencil-and-paper roleplaying games, just think of the characters I'm talking about as synopses for improv characters.) One of the frustrations I've run across as a player is that I'm frequently the only female at the table and feel pressured to take the sole female character offered rather than having my choice. If I do play as a male, it can get tiresome having to constantly correct pronouns among people I don't know very well. Because of this, I try to make as many characters as possible neutral and let the player choose which way they want to play it. That way, if they're "cross-playing", at least it's because they want to.
I've just about run through the common neutral names: Terry, Morgan, Chris and so forth. (Pat is out, thanks to Saturday Night Live.) I've also realized that the neutral names I know are also limiting me somewhat by ethnicity. What are good names that don't immediately announce gender?
Robin. (I've known three in my life and all were men.)
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 7:50 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 7:50 AM on August 31, 2009
Jamie, Jesse, Gayle/Gail (if said aloud, no one knows)
posted by King Bee at 7:51 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by King Bee at 7:51 AM on August 31, 2009
I've known probably six or seven Summers in my life (no, seriously. I don't know why.) and they were all girls. Summer to me = girl.
Aaron/Erin is the only one that comes to mind at the moment.
posted by cooker girl at 7:54 AM on August 31, 2009
Aaron/Erin is the only one that comes to mind at the moment.
posted by cooker girl at 7:54 AM on August 31, 2009
Kelly
Rowan
Jules (Julian/Julianne)
Gabe (Gabriel/Gabrielle)
Cass
Lee
Kai
posted by arcticwoman at 7:57 AM on August 31, 2009
Rowan
Jules (Julian/Julianne)
Gabe (Gabriel/Gabrielle)
Cass
Lee
Kai
posted by arcticwoman at 7:57 AM on August 31, 2009
Jordan
Ricki/Ricky/Rickie
Ryan (Ryan = male to me, but I've encountered a few female Ryans)
posted by anderjen at 7:58 AM on August 31, 2009
Ricki/Ricky/Rickie
Ryan (Ryan = male to me, but I've encountered a few female Ryans)
posted by anderjen at 7:58 AM on August 31, 2009
Casey. I've always wondered if Siobhan was gender neutral because I've Siobhans from both camps but always believed it to be a girl's name.
posted by thankyoujohnnyfever at 7:58 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by thankyoujohnnyfever at 7:58 AM on August 31, 2009
Rowen/ Rowan
Taylor
Jo/ Joe/ Josie
Casey
Sam
Corin
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 8:00 AM on August 31, 2009
Taylor
Jo/ Joe/ Josie
Casey
Sam
Corin
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 8:00 AM on August 31, 2009
Just for the record, if you gave me a choice I'd pick Pat because of SNL.
posted by theichibun at 8:02 AM on August 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by theichibun at 8:02 AM on August 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
Just searching for gender neutral names brings up a lot of comprehensive-looking lists, some of them even role-playing focused.
posted by bunyip at 8:03 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by bunyip at 8:03 AM on August 31, 2009
Doh! That last link was supposed to have the text "Michael". Also Renee and Rene, although the latter is pronounced "Raynee".
posted by mkb at 8:05 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by mkb at 8:05 AM on August 31, 2009
Leslie
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 8:18 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 8:18 AM on August 31, 2009
Riley
posted by notswedish at 8:37 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by notswedish at 8:37 AM on August 31, 2009
Dana/Danna
posted by Confess, Fletch at 8:38 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by Confess, Fletch at 8:38 AM on August 31, 2009
Casey.
Kit.
Cameron.
Carrie/Kerry (not sure what spelling is most common for guys).
Recently there have been a few famous women named Evan.
You might consider using a name that has a masculine and a feminine version and letting the player choose. For example you could put Alexander/Alexandra on the character sheet and just let them cross out the one they don't want to use.
posted by thekiltedwonder at 8:40 AM on August 31, 2009
Kit.
Cameron.
Carrie/Kerry (not sure what spelling is most common for guys).
Recently there have been a few famous women named Evan.
You might consider using a name that has a masculine and a feminine version and letting the player choose. For example you could put Alexander/Alexandra on the character sheet and just let them cross out the one they don't want to use.
posted by thekiltedwonder at 8:40 AM on August 31, 2009
Vivian
Sandy (Sandra or Alexander)
Mel (can be short for Melissa)
posted by dagnyscott at 8:42 AM on August 31, 2009
Sandy (Sandra or Alexander)
Mel (can be short for Melissa)
posted by dagnyscott at 8:42 AM on August 31, 2009
Apart from those previously mentioned, Kerry and Trac(e)y are both names I have known both men and women with. Alex can be an abbreviation of Alexander or Alexandra.
Interestingly, in high school, I knew two boy-girl couples named Stacey and Kelly, but one was a male Stacey and a female Kelly and the other, not.
I also know of three brothers named Stacey, Tracey and Kim, whose parents were hedging their bets for baby names all the way.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:43 AM on August 31, 2009
Interestingly, in high school, I knew two boy-girl couples named Stacey and Kelly, but one was a male Stacey and a female Kelly and the other, not.
I also know of three brothers named Stacey, Tracey and Kim, whose parents were hedging their bets for baby names all the way.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:43 AM on August 31, 2009
To check how popular a name is for each gender in the US historically, this might be helpful. For example, I learned that female Jamies outnumber males about 3:1. Plus it is just too much fun to play with!
Morgan is an especially interesting example. After a century of being essentially a male-only name, females now dominate in the under 30 camp.
posted by cjemmott at 8:44 AM on August 31, 2009
Morgan is an especially interesting example. After a century of being essentially a male-only name, females now dominate in the under 30 camp.
posted by cjemmott at 8:44 AM on August 31, 2009
Avery
The only association I ever had with Avery was the boy in Charlotte's Web, but I recently recieved a catalog of kids clothing and they had a girl wearing a shirt saying Avery. So, it seems to have crossed the gender boundry.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 8:45 AM on August 31, 2009
The only association I ever had with Avery was the boy in Charlotte's Web, but I recently recieved a catalog of kids clothing and they had a girl wearing a shirt saying Avery. So, it seems to have crossed the gender boundry.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 8:45 AM on August 31, 2009
I've heard lots of girls and boy babies being named Jayden/Jaden or Kayden/Kaden lately. The whole -en ending seems popular these days. There's also Andi/Andy.
posted by fresh-rn at 8:48 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by fresh-rn at 8:48 AM on August 31, 2009
My name is becoming more strongly associated with women in North America, but I've met/heard of a fair number of guys named Carmen in my life, and I've received mail addressed to "Mr.", so it's probably still neutral enough.
posted by carmen at 8:49 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by carmen at 8:49 AM on August 31, 2009
Carroll (my father's name) - Carole (my aunt's name)
posted by Sassyfras at 9:01 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by Sassyfras at 9:01 AM on August 31, 2009
I also know a family of five girls. Their names: Nikki, Dani, Joey, Chrissy (Chris), and Toni
posted by Sassyfras at 9:08 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by Sassyfras at 9:08 AM on August 31, 2009
Rae.
posted by piratebowling at 9:18 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by piratebowling at 9:18 AM on August 31, 2009
Sean
posted by rabbitrabbit at 9:24 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by rabbitrabbit at 9:24 AM on August 31, 2009
Cory
Jackie
Lynn
Sage
Jerry
Gabby
Charlie
Nat
Marion
Aubrey
Jean (fem. as in jean grey. male as in jean claude)
Jan
posted by sapphirebbw at 9:27 AM on August 31, 2009
Jackie
Lynn
Sage
Jerry
Gabby
Charlie
Nat
Marion
Aubrey
Jean (fem. as in jean grey. male as in jean claude)
Jan
posted by sapphirebbw at 9:27 AM on August 31, 2009
Tristan. My female friend spells it Tristyn, but my male friend spells it the normal way. Confusing as all get out for us all, but a lovely name. (With slightly emo allusions, as triste in spanish means sad, if you want to go that route when filling out your character sheets.)
posted by Mizu at 9:30 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by Mizu at 9:30 AM on August 31, 2009
From last night's Mad Men: Connie.
posted by mmascolino at 10:32 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by mmascolino at 10:32 AM on August 31, 2009
Dominique is a pretty common gender-neutral French name
posted by radioamy at 10:56 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by radioamy at 10:56 AM on August 31, 2009
Jamie can go either way, I think.
Robin. (I've known three in my life and all were men.)
Nice to meet you, I'm Robin and a woman :) (I think this is a regional thing, though - Europeans I correspond via email or whatever with are always surprised that I am female, but Americans seem to assume I am)
posted by getawaysticks at 11:35 AM on August 31, 2009
Robin. (I've known three in my life and all were men.)
Nice to meet you, I'm Robin and a woman :) (I think this is a regional thing, though - Europeans I correspond via email or whatever with are always surprised that I am female, but Americans seem to assume I am)
posted by getawaysticks at 11:35 AM on August 31, 2009
Hayden, though that spelling is more common for girls than boys.
posted by wheat at 11:39 AM on August 31, 2009
posted by wheat at 11:39 AM on August 31, 2009
Hayden, though that spelling is more common for girls than boys.
How else would you spell it?
Most of the used-to-be-last-name names are or were gender-neutral, though Madison, Shelley, Shirley, Joyce, Beverly, Mackenzie, Kelly, Kerry, and Evelyn are now almost always women.
I've never met a she-Hayden (the only one I know of is the movie and TV actor) but I know a couple of he-Haydens my own age (44) and older.
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:56 AM on August 31, 2009
How else would you spell it?
Most of the used-to-be-last-name names are or were gender-neutral, though Madison, Shelley, Shirley, Joyce, Beverly, Mackenzie, Kelly, Kerry, and Evelyn are now almost always women.
I've never met a she-Hayden (the only one I know of is the movie and TV actor) but I know a couple of he-Haydens my own age (44) and older.
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:56 AM on August 31, 2009
My personal favorite: Layne/Lane
posted by baxter_ilion at 1:20 PM on August 31, 2009
posted by baxter_ilion at 1:20 PM on August 31, 2009
Jin.
By the way, many Korean names are gender neutral, especially as they're used outside Korea, where people often drop one of the syllables to make pronunciation easier. Generally speaking, if you hear a Korean name with only one syllable, it's impossible to tell if they're male or female (not always, but almost always).
posted by smorange at 4:27 PM on August 31, 2009
By the way, many Korean names are gender neutral, especially as they're used outside Korea, where people often drop one of the syllables to make pronunciation easier. Generally speaking, if you hear a Korean name with only one syllable, it's impossible to tell if they're male or female (not always, but almost always).
posted by smorange at 4:27 PM on August 31, 2009
Roop (long form Rupinder too)
Harpreet
Gurpreet
Sukhjinder
Harjeet
posted by saucysault at 5:44 PM on August 31, 2009
Harpreet
Gurpreet
Sukhjinder
Harjeet
posted by saucysault at 5:44 PM on August 31, 2009
Darryl
It's the name of a co-worker's wife, and another co-worker's husband.
posted by ellenaim at 6:06 PM on August 31, 2009
It's the name of a co-worker's wife, and another co-worker's husband.
posted by ellenaim at 6:06 PM on August 31, 2009
Hayden Christensen (male); Hayden Pannetiere (female).
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:23 PM on August 31, 2009
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:23 PM on August 31, 2009
Best answer: Ahn is a gender neutral Vietnamese name. I work with a female Ahn and her recently retired father-in-law is also Ahn. My understanding is that the middle name denotes gender. I'm a little vague on it all so please correct me on the details if you know them.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:45 PM on August 31, 2009
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:45 PM on August 31, 2009
By the way, many Korean names are gender neutral
Aren't many Chinese names also generally gender-neutral?
posted by desuetude at 8:09 PM on August 31, 2009
Aren't many Chinese names also generally gender-neutral?
posted by desuetude at 8:09 PM on August 31, 2009
-Angel
-Tyler
-Lane/Laine/Layne
-Bernie
-Rene
posted by SisterHavana at 8:19 PM on August 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
-Tyler
-Lane/Laine/Layne
-Bernie
-Rene
posted by SisterHavana at 8:19 PM on August 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
Varsuuvius.
posted by ShawnStruck at 3:51 PM on September 1, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by ShawnStruck at 3:51 PM on September 1, 2009 [2 favorites]
Dig out an atlas and choose some of the lesser known cities. Most place names are gender neutral (I know two each of Paris, London and Brooklyn and each name has one boy and one girl child). More exotic places have even less gender connotations.
posted by saucysault at 5:21 PM on September 1, 2009
posted by saucysault at 5:21 PM on September 1, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by 8dot3 at 7:50 AM on August 31, 2009 [1 favorite]