In case you guys haven't noticed, baby names are trendy. Writing about baby names is trendy, too — heck, even writing about baby name trends is trendy. And it turns out that one of the trendiest baby name trends, according to Nameberry's recent analysis, are gender-neutral baby names. All right, all right, all right — a trend I can get behind.
Nameberry, one of the top baby name destinations on the Internet for expecting parents, recently compiled a list of their top 50 baby names for 2016. Yes, it's only February, but babies are being born literally every second, and someone's gotta name them something, right?
Nameberry's process was two-fold: First, they looked at which baby names have attracted the highest numbers of unique views over the past 30 days. They then looked at which of those names had increased in popularity by 50 percent since this time last year. Ta-da! 50 names for boys and 50 names for girls — except that one of the top Nameberry observations was the surge in gender-neutral monikers.
As a feminist person who firmly believes in gender equality, this trend is one I can definitely support (and hope is more than just a "trend," and rather a lasting theme). Accordingly, here are some of my personal favorites from Nameberry's ranking. Good for boys, good for girls, good for choose-whatever-word-you-like-because-gender-is-a-construct.
1. Riley
An Irish Gaelic name meaning "valiant," Riley has traditionally been used for both boys and girls.
2. Avery
Though traditionally a French girl's name, I've known both boys and girls named Avery. Now that I know it means "rules with elf-wisdom," I love it even more.
3. Rowan
This Scottish/Gaelic name means "little redhead," after a red-berried bush found in Scotland that was said to ward off witches. Scholars say it's been used for both boys and girls for centuries; Brooke Shields' daughter is the latest "li'l redhead" to hit the scene.
4. Finley
This Irish name means "fair hero." Its variant, "Finlay," is equally beautiful.
5. Peyton
Depending on which baby name site you visit, Peyton is considered a girl's name, or boy's name, and means "fighting-man's estate." Yeah I don't really know what that means either. Cute name, though.
6. Jude
"Heeyyyy Juuuuude, your name is cuuute. It means 'praised' iiiiiin the language of Hebrew."
7. Sage
Yes, Sage is a delicious herb, but it's also a French baby name meaning "wise one."
8. Augustine
Inspired by Saint Augustine, who is the patron saint of brewers (true story), this traditionally male name is an elegant option for either gender.
9. Arlo
Spanish for "barberry tree," Arlo first entered the English language when Edmund Spenser used it as a name in his 16th century work The Fairie Queene.
10. Charlie
Ugh, nothing to me is cuter than a spunky little girl named "Charlie." Boys named Charlie are also cute. Charlie is a universally cute name, okay?
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