Category Archives: Unisex Names

Amavi

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my dear eliza, i love
  • Origin: Latin/Italian
  • Meaning: “I loved.”
  • Gender: Unisex
  • Eng pron: (ah-MAH-vee; ah-MAY-vee).
  • First Est. 2020

From the Latin and Italian first-person perfect form of amāre—amāvī, meaning “I have loved”—the name Amavi is a modern coinage rather than a historical given name. It first appears in U.S. Social Security Administration data around 2020, when at least 30 girls and 12 boys received the name. Its sudden emergence is not tied to any known literary, cultural, or onomastic source, suggestions and theories are welcome.

It is an interesting modern twist on Amanda (to be loved), with its potential nicknames of Amy or Mavi, it is no wonder it has appeal for some parents.

Sister Names: Allegra, Amabel, Amanda, Amaryllis, Ambra, Amoena, Ave, Bellatrix, Briana, Cambria, Caprice, Coeli (CHAY-lee), Damita, Delta, Echo, Essence, Fauna, Florida, Gaia, Genesis, Halcyon, Harmonia, Iridian, Jada, Jolie, Kismet, Kestrel, Lux, Lyrica, Maris, Nala, Nerissa, Ocea, Pax, Quinta, Ravenna, Regina, Shasta, Sierra, Tacey, Tanaquil, Tanis, Unity, Venetia, Vita

Brother Names: Algernon, Amadeo/Amadeus, Amory, Apollo, Beau, Cato, Corbin, Cruz, Cosmo, Dante, Duran, Elian, Fidel, Frisco, Galen, Hermes, Inigo, Jupiter, Justus, Keanu, Lazarus, Leo, Linus, Mercury, Navarro, Onyx, Orion, Paris, Pax, Peregrine, Primus, Quintus, Rex, Rio, Scorpio, Scipio, Tarquin, Titus, Urban, Valentine

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Bramble

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  • Origin: English (nature word-name)
  • Meaning: “thorny shrub,” “blackberry bush”
  • Other forms: Brambler, Bramblett
  • Gender: Unisex

From the Old English bræmel, Bramble originally referred to any rough, prickly shrub — most often the wild blackberry. As a word-name, it belongs to the same lush, tactile family as Rowan and Briar but with an edgier, woodland quality.

However, its usage is not so recent, as there are many records for male Brambles (particularly in the American South), starting in the 1910s. In this case, it was likely used in reference to an English surname of the same meaning. Also found is Brambler (occasionally unisex) and Bramblett (mostly male).

The name was famously used in Heather Dixon’s 2011 fantasy novel Entwined, where Bramble is the fierce, impulsive second of twelve princesses.

Sibling Names (Unisex): Aspen, Briar, Clover, Dale, Eden, Fallon, Greenlee, Harvest, Indigo, Juniper, Larkspur, Onyx, Paisley, Rowan, Sage, Valley

Brother Names: Ash, Brecken, Chester, Dexter, Easton, Finch, Greyson, Hudson, Jett, Kai, Landry, Moss, North, Orion, Pace, Quinn, Rock, Stone, Timber, Wilder

Sister Names: Aster, Fawn, Fable, Fern, Laken, Lakelyn, Lark, Meadow, Nell, Olive, Prairie, Rain, Sable, Teal, Umber, Willow.

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Lumen

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  • Origin: Latin; West Frisian
  • Meaning: “light; people.”
  • Gender: Unisex
  • Usage: English, Dutch
  • Pron: LOO-men

Lumen is a name of multiple origins and meanings. It can be from the Latin lūmen (luminis) meaning “light, radiance, illumination.” The term has inspired centuries of philosophical, scientific, and religious imagery. In modern usage, lumen is also a scientific unit measuring luminous flux — the amount of visible light emitted by a source — and in anatomy, it denotes the inner cavity or channel of a tubular organ.

Lumen can also be a West-Frisian unisex name, usually used as a diminutive form of any name beginning with the Liud – element, from the Old Germanic meaning, “people.” There is also the masculine form of Lumman.

In the United States, there are records for male Lumans and Lumens, nicknamed Lummie and Louie as early as the 18th-century. It is unknown if it is based on the Latin term lumen or a family surname, in which case it is most likely from a Dutch patronymic of the aforementioned etymology or other surnames of unknown etymology.

By the early 1900s, it is found as a female name or as a religious unisex name taken by Catholic nuns and monastics, and in the case of many Italian-American females, as an Anglicized diminutive form of Filumena (Philomena).

The name is also used on females in the Philippines as a form of Illuminada.

The name Lumen also appears in literature — notably as the title of Camille Flammarion’s 1887 cosmic novel Lumen, in which a disembodied soul travels through space and time as a being of light. The association deepens the name’s connection to illumination, eternity, and the cosmos.

Lumen Pierce, a character in the fifth season of the television series Dexter (2010), further popularized the name in contemporary culture.

A notable male bearer is American artist, Lumen Martin Winter (1908-1982).

Elegant and radiant, Lumen embodies both scientific precision and spiritual luminosity. Its cross-cultural history — from Latin philosophy to Frisian folk roots to celestial fiction — gives it a timeless, modern-ethereal appeal. Perhaps its the next generation’s Lauren of the 1980s.

Sister names: Airlie, Breeze, Carmen, Cassarah, Demi, Eden, Fallon, Gry, Haven, Iridian, Jovie, Kestrel, Lux, Maren, Navy, Oriol, Poe, Romy, Sky(e), Soleil, Teal, Umber, Wren

Brother Names: Ambrose, Bram, Cedar, Dorian, Ezra, For(r)est, Greyson, Hudson, Indigo, Jasper, Jett, Mace, North, Kai, Lucian, Orion, Penn, River, Rowan, Stellen, Thane, Varian, Wild

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Poe

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  • Origin: English/Welsh
  • Meaning: “peacock;” or “son of Hugh.”
  • Gender: Unisex
  • First Est. 1880s

From the transferred use of the English surname Poe. The surname is possibly derived from the Middle English po or pawe, meaning “peacock,” a nickname originally given to someone considered showy, proud, or flamboyant. Alternatively, Poe may represent an Anglicized form of the Welsh patronymic ap Hugh (“son of Hugh”). A less common variant, Poë (rhymes with Chloe or Zoe), appears in Irish baronetcies and may reflect a separate family line but seems to be related.

It may also be an Anglicized form of the German surname, Pfau (peacock).

The surname gained literary immortality through Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849), the celebrated American poet and author. After his death, the name began appearing as a given name—predominantly masculine—throughout the late 19th century, often paired with Edgar or Allen in homage to the writer.

In recent decades, Poe has re-emerged in popular culture through Poe Dameron, the daring Resistance pilot in the Star Wars franchise—lending the name a sleek, modern edge while preserving its timeless, artistic mystique.

In recent decades, Poe has seen rare but notable use for girls as well, its brevity and darkly romantic associations giving it gender-neutral appeal.

Minimalist yet evocative, Poe carries a distinctly literary, Gothic, and Bohemian character. With its one-syllable punch and artistic aura, it’s the perfect choice for the modern romantic or literary enthusiast seeking a name of quiet intensity.

Sister Names: Arwen, Boux, Brontë, Cloudsley, Elowen, Faye, Greenley, Halo, Harper, Indie, Lark, Lumen, Lux, Meadow, Noa, Onyx, Paisley, Roux, Rue, Rumer, Sage, Scout, Sky(e), Truett, Wren

Brother Names: Adler, Beck, Bram, Brooks, Byron, Cove, Dorian, Everett, Finn, Grey, Holden, Jagger, Kylo, Lock, Maddox, Preston, Quinn, Rhett, Rhys, Stone, Thorne, Wilde

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Lyric

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  • Origin: English
  • Gender: Unisex
  • First Est. 1860s

From the transferred use of the English word, it ultimately derives from the Greek lλυρικός (lurikós) “pertaining to a lyre.”

As a given name, Lyric appears sporadically from the mid-19th century onward in both England and North America, used for both boys and girls. One of the earliest records of a female Lyric dates to 1866 in London, while an early male instance appears in 1885 in Cornwall.

Although rare for more than a century, Lyric began to rise in popularity during the 1990s, gradually becoming established as a contemporary feminine choice—though it remains a unisex name.

It first entered the U.S. top 1000 girls names in 1995, peaked at #271 in 2014. In 2024, it ranked in at #594. Whilst for boys, it first appeared in the U.S. Top 1000 in 2007, peaked at #799 in 2013 and was last seen in 2020.

A more elaborate feminine form is Lyrica.

Recommended sister names: Amberly, Brandy, Cheyenne, Destiny, Ember, Genesis, Heaven, Indy, Jazz, Kismet, Lawn, Meadow, Nevaeh, Psalm, Reverie, Star, True, Umber, Velvet

Recommended brother names: Ace, Bowie, Chaz, Dice, Ever, Gage, Harlow, Indigo, Jagger, Kai, Ledger, Marlow, Neo, Piker, Quinn, Rex, Saber.

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Morley

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  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: “marsh meadow.”
  • Gender: Unisex

From the transferred use of the English surname and place name, it is the name of several villages in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Norfolk. It also appears as the name of several places across the English-speaking world, including Australia and the United States. It comes from the Anglo-Saxon elements mōr (“moor, marshland, heath”) and lēah = “clearing, meadow, wood glade.”

As a masculine given-name, usage began sporadically in 18th-century England and North America. As a female given-name, usage started to occur very rarely in the third of the 20th-century. By the 1900s, in was very rarely taken up by Jewish families in Anglo countries as a translation of Mordecai.

Notable male bearers include, American photographer, Morley Baer (1916-1995); American politician, Morley Griswold (1890-1951); and Canadian news reporters, Morley Safer (1931-2016).

Notable female bearers include American American editor Morley Cowles Ballantine (nee Elizabeth Morley Cowles Gale Ballantine) (1925-2009) and American singer, Morley Kamen.

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Riley

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  • Origin: English
  • Gender: Unisex
  • Usage: English, Dutch
  • Meaning: rye meadow.
  • First Est. 1600s (males); 1800s (females)

From the transferred use of the English surname composed of the Anglo-Saxon elements, ryge (rye) and lēah (meadow).

It shares phonetic similarity with the Irish surname Reilly, though the two are etymologically unrelated. Reilly derives from the Gaelic male name Raghailleach, an ancient Irish personal name of uncertain meaning. However, the Riley spelling has long been more common as a given name.

As a male given name, Riley appears sporadically in England as early as the 16th century, likely used in reference to a mother’s maiden surname—a customary naming practice of the period. A few records of female bearers named Riley appear in England beginning in the mid-19th century, though such instances were rare until modern times.

Riley as a male given name became more widespread by the late 1800s. It first entered the U.S. Top 1000 in 1880 and has remained there continuously ever since. The name reached its highest rank in 2002 at #99 for boys, and as of 2024, it stood at #229. His rankings in other countries are as follows:

  • #47 (New Zealand, 2024)
  • #65 (Canada, 2023)
  • #74 (Australia, 2024)
  • #80 (England & Wales, 2024)
  • #85 (Scotland, 2024)
  • #92 (Northern Ireland, 2023)
  • #248 (Netherlands, 2024)

As a female given name, Riley first entered the U.S. Top 1000 in 1990, debuting modestly at #822. It rose steadily throughout the 1990s, entering the Top 100 by 2002 at #72. The name reached its highest point to date in 2017, peaking at #25, and as of 2024, it ranked at #42. Its ranking as a female given-name in other countries are as follows:

  • #50 (New Zealand, 2024)
  • #82 (Australia, 2024)
  • #170 (Netherlands, 2024)
  • #175 (England & Wales, 2024)

The factors driving its sudden popularity are somewhat uncertain. Riley may have appealed to parents as a fresher, lighter alternative to earlier -ley names that had dominated the previous decades, such as Shirley (1920-30s), Beverly (1940s-50s), Kimberly (1960s-70s) and Ashley (1980s-90s). Its crisp, upbeat rhythm and modern unisex sound also contributed to its rise.

Its female version has spun off variant spellings, which may make it even more popular than it seems, such as Reiley, Reilly, Reily, Rhilee, Rhiley, Rhylee, Rhylei, Rhyleigh, Rhyley, Rhyli, Rhylie, Rielee, Rilee, Rileigh, Rilie, Ryelee, Rylea, Rylee, Rylei, Ryleigh, Ryley, Ryli, Rylie, Ryliee, and Ryliegh.

Its usage as a unisex same has spread recently to the Netherlands, where it ranks in the charts, though not as high as in the anglosphere.

Reilly will have its own entry. Look for further posts in the future.

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Dior

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hand with a ring paper cup handbag and flowers in a shopping bag
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  • Origin: French
  • Usage: English
  • Gender: Unisex
  • First Est. 1970s

A name synonymous with French luxury and refinement, it is from the transferred use of the French surname. The surname itself is from Normandy, particular to Savigny where the Dior family originated. It is from a 16th-century typographical error of the patronymic surname Diot, which is a Medieval diminutive form of Denis.

Modern name sites often claim that Dior relates to the French word doré (“golden”) or the noun or (“gold”), likely influenced by the glamorous association with the fashion house. While this resemblance is phonetically appealing, it is not etymologically accurate. The historical record supports the Diot → Dior evolution rather than a direct link to doré.

Its use as a given-name is directly influenced by the brand and is currently only used in English-speaking counties. It is common among African-Americans, but has been occasionally used among other ethnic groups. It first came into use in the 1970s.

The name entered the U.S. popularity charts for both males and females in 2018. It is currently the 983rd most popular female and hasn’t appeared in the top 1000 male names since 2022.

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Harvest

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  • Origin: English
  • Gender: Unisex
  • First Est. 19th-century

The name Harvest is an English word name, derived from the Old English hærfest, meaning “autumn” or “time of gathering crops.” Originally, hærfest referred to the season of reaping, the period between late summer and early autumn when grain and fruit were collected.

The name first came into use on both males and females in the mid 1800s.

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Rocket

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  • Origin: English
  • Gender: Unisex
  • First Est. 2000s

Rocket comes directly from the English word for the projectile or spacecraft. The word itself traces back to the Italian rocchetto (“bobbin, spool”), referencing the shape of early rockets.

Its use as a given-name is established though rare and very recent. It has been used interchangeably among males and females by several celebrities, including Pharrell Williams who bestowed this name on his son in 2008.

The perfect sibling name for: Cannon.

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