21 Gender Neutral Baby Names For Your Future Bundle Of Joy
Names hold so much power. That's a fact that makes me cringe while also making me feel so hopeful and happy. If words hold power, imagine the magic that is unleashed when a child receives a well-thought-out name. Names are the manifestations of our parents and passed down to us as self-fulfilling prophecies. I wonder if this has anything to do with why we spend so much time considering the names of our children before they're physically in this world. I mean, seriously, I've had names chosen since before I even wanted children.
Whether we view it as inconvenient or unjust, is irrelevant, the reality is that there's so much perceived based through one's name—from the external world to our own internal feelings. Our names should not make us feel more disenfranchised but less so. It should provide us with security, light, and love. Which is why one might consider going with a more gender neutral name for their child. Not to mention, there's something so delightfully (yes, delightful) cute about gender neutral names. This is easier now than ever, as the abstract baby name movement, made it nearly impossible to tie gender to virtually any names. Here are 21 gender neutral baby names to consider if you're in need of a little inspiration.
21 Gender Neutral Baby Names & Their Meanings
1.Ryan
Variations: Ryann
Typically the name Ryan means "illustrious" or "little king" and like many of the other names on this list it can serve as a surname with Irish roots or an English-American given name. Per actress and musician Ryan Destiny, we see that the name works beautifully as a unisex name.
2.Tahj
Variations: Taj
Of Arabic origin, this name means "crown". Actor and one of the Mowry clan, Tahj Mowry inspired this addition to the list.
3.Ashley
Variations: Ashli, Ashly, Ashely
An English name meaning Ash Tree Meadow, the name Ashley is a friendly reminder that gender norms and knows shift with time. Back in the day, this name was more commonly a name for men. But way, way back, its origin was better known as a place or a surname.
Ashley Walters, known for his role as Dushane in Top Boy, is one of many men given the timeless name. You might also recognize him as Antwan from rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's debut film, Get Rich or Die Tryin'.
Note: this name still seems to be prominent for men in the UK. I found that there were quite a few UK entertainers (athletes, actors, etc) with the name.
4.Tory
Variations: Tori
The name Tory means "outlaw" in the Irish language. Infamous rapper Tory Lanez is but one famous person with the name. And though it's unfortunate that I couldn't think of another example of a Black man with this name...I find great humor in the irony here.
5.Charlie
Variations: Carli, Charley
The name Charlie is of German descent and translates to "free man". Murder Inc. rapper Charli Baltimore, known for her distinct red hair and early aughts lyricisim, is one of the better known women of color that carry the unisex name and do it well.
6.Stacy
Variations: Stacey
To be a child simply BORN to the 90s, I probably know of more men named Stacy than meant for my time, as it was in its decline as a unisex name at that point. I owe this revelation in part to the classic movie, The Wood. But it's no secret that what goes around, comes right back round.
The female variant of this name is derived from Anastasia, meaning "resurrection". While the male variant's roots lie in the name Eustace which translates to "steadfast".
7.Kelly
Variations: Kelli, Kelleigh, Kelley
Longtime Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland goes by this nickname, a shortening of her full given name Kelendria. Though its origins are an Irish surname, it has more commonly been known for its origin as an English-American given name. The name translates to "church"; "farm by the spring"; "holly"; "warrior"; and "wood".
8.Jordan
Variations: Jordyn, Jourdan, Jordain
Finally! A name that is not of Irish origin. Though I'm sure you can guess, the name Jordan has Hebrew roots and simply means "to flow down". The most prominent public figure that comes to mind when thinking of this name is socialite and entrepreneur Jordyn Woods. It's worth noting that this is also a common surname.
9.Drew
Variations: Dru
While it serves as a surname and a given name, it is the surname that gives meaning to this name. From an Irish background, the name Drew means "descendent of the druid". As a given name, it is more frequently used for boys and often simply the shortened version of Andrew. Rarely do women have the name but inspired by Drew Barrymore and Drew Sidora — a known actress, currently starring in the Real Housewives franchise — it made the cut.
10. Aubrey
Variations: Aubree, Aubri
Of French origin, it means "elf ruler"...yikes! That will certainly be a conversation piece. Though the name has typically been viewed as more feminine name, I imagine it has rose to popularity quite a bit since actor turned rapper Aubrey Graham A.K.A Drake A.K.A Champagne Papi A.K.A Wheelchair Jimmy stepped on the scene.
11. Dallas
Variations: Dallis
Dallas is both a city and a surname of Scottish and English origin. In Old English, the name translates to "valley house", while the Scottish meaning is "meadow dwelling". Award-winning producer and songwriter Dallas Austin, who rose to fame in the 90s, is a masculine-presenting person who was given the name.
12. Jace
Variations: Jayce
Jace is a Hebrew name that translates to "healer" or "the Lord is salvation". It is a relatively common name in American culture. As far as your fave celebs who were given this name...there aren't too many. But I believe that's because this name is still up and coming.
13. Jamie
Variations: Jamee, Jaime, Jamey
An English name that means "supplanter", which I'm not exactly sure how that translates. Though his family may know him as Eric Marlon Bishop, the world knows him as triple threat Jamie Foxx. Wonder if he knew what it meant before he changed his name to supplanter.
14. Cameron
Variations: Camron, Cameryn, Camaron
Model, dancer, and actress Ariane Andrew better known as WWE stage name Cameron comes to mind. As cute as this name is and I do adore it, the meaning? Not so much! The Scottish name Cameron means "bent" or "crooked nose".
15. Peyton
Actor Peyton Alex Smith, known for his roles in TV shows such as Legacies and The Quad is a pretty known entertainer with this name, which means "warrior" or "regal" depending on the origin language. Another interpretation is "fighting-man's estate", whatever the hell that means.
16. Kalen
Variations: Kaelyn
The name has a few translations from "keeper of the keys" to "pure" or "slender". The origin of Kalen can be found in English, Gaelic, and American culture. YouTuber, influencer, and food critic, Kalen Allen was one of the first men that I know of to publicly have the name. Though it is more commonly a girl's name, it is very fitting as a gender neutral name as well.
17. Blair
The name Blair is of Scottish origin and means "plain", "meadow", and/or "field". I know it doesn't mean that kind of plain, but the actor Blair Underwood is anything but plain.
18. Chris
Variations: Kris, Christian
"One who carries Christ" is what this English name means, and is often the nickname for boys named Christopher or both boys and girls named Chirstian. While Christian means "follower of Christ" (also of English origin). Rapper and businessman Chris "Ludacris" Bridges took this name and made one helluva career...or at least a punny one.
19. Terry
Variations: Terri, Teri
Terry is a unisex name with old German origins and it translates to "power of the tribe". Though I can't think of any women celebs with this name, actor/comedian Terry Crews is in an elite group of men with the name.
20. Kendall
Variations: Kendal, Kendel, Kendyl
Translating to "Kent river valley", the name Kendall is of Old English origin. Much to my surprise, there were quite a few entertainers with this name; from professional boxer Kendall Holt to rapper Kendall Lake.
21. Shawn
Variations: Sean, Shaun
Though traditionally used for little boys, the name Shawn has gained popularity as a gender neutral name. It means "God is gracious" and has English-American roots. I first heard of this name being used as a unisex name when Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter mentioned the gymnast Shawn Johnson in "Already Home" — a track on his Blueprint 3 album. But also there's comedian, actor, and one in a million from the Wayans family—Shawn Wayans.
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Motor City native, Atlanta living. Sagittarius. Writer. Sexpert. Into all things magical, mystical, and unknown. I'll try anything at least once but you knew that the moment I revealed that I was a Sag.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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I think we all can agree that social media really is a double-edged sword. What I mean by that is there is just as much bad that can come out of it as good. At the end of the day, it really is about 1) having your own mind, 2) finding balance when it comes to how much time you spend online, and 3) doing your own research instead of taking random people’s opinions as the gospel (i.e., facts).
Gee, I wish more folks did all of this when it comes to if a man needs to have a large penis to sexually satisfy a woman (he does not) and if a woman who has had multiple sex partners will ultimately end up with a vagina that is too large for smaller penises to please her (a lie).
Science totally has my back on debunking both of those things (more on that in a bit). Know what else does? A particular type of sex method that is becoming more popular by the day. One that just might convince you to, as they used to say back in the day, focus less on the “size of the wave” and ride out the “motion of the ocean” instead.
It’s called shallowing. Here’s what it’s all about.
What Is Shallowing?
GiphyIf there’s one thing that I wish folks would say more thoroughly when it comes to women and orgasms, it’s that when it comes to 75 percent of women not being able to orgasm from only intercourse, the accurate statement is they struggle with achieving a vaginal orgasm without the assistance of some type of clitoral stimulation. Yeah, we’ve really got to remember that very few things in this life are a complete monolith — orgasms included (check out “U-Spot Orgasm, Fantasy Orgasm & 6 Other Orgasms You Should Try Tonight”).
In fact, it was while I was reading up on pairing — a word that is used for when clitoral stimulation transpires during penetration — that I decided to do some deep-diving into shallowing (because it was mentioned in one of the articles that I read). And what is it? Shallowing is when a penis, finger, tongue, or sex toy of some sort is used in order to ever so slightly penetrate the vaginal opening of a woman.
And why is shallowing not just a current sex trend but something that every woman on this planet should try? It’s because of what I’ve said, more than once, on this platform: it focuses on the most sensitive part of a woman’s vagina, which is the first two inches of her vaginal opening.
When the emphasis is placed there, not only does it increase your chances of experiencing “the big O,” but it can also build up anticipation, which can intensify your orgasms too — yes, shallowing can also be seen as a form of edging.
Another thing that’s cool about shallowing is — and it really and truly can’t be said enough — something that makes vaginal and blended orgasms easier to achieve for some women really has little to do with the size of a man’s package or even his technique; it’s straight up anatomy. Yep, the closer that a woman’s clitoris is to her vaginal opening, the easier it is for a penis to stimulate both. So, science makes it possible for vaginal orgasms to be easier for some women than others.
At the same time, shallowing can make it possible for more women who want to see what a vaginal orgasm actually feels like (because it’s easier for the head of the penis to stimulate the opening of the vagina while the shaft can rub up against your clitoris; based on the position that you are in, of course — the missionary with some pillows propped under the lower part of your back is ideal for this).
Now that you see what shallowing actually is, do you get why I said that penis size doesn’t matter when it comes to doing it — and getting the kind of orgasms that you want? Contrary to popular belief, your vagina is only around four inches. In fact, some health experts say that it ranges between 2-4”. Anything larger, your body literally has to stretch out to accommodate; this includes penises and babies. So, if your vagina is “making room” for more than four inches, why in the world do you think you need a 10-inch man? Yeah…exactly. It really is time to get over the silliness. The average penis continues to be 5.5”. Makes sense when you take it all in (no pun intended).
Aight, so now that you know what shallowing is all about, let me try and hard sell you on why it’s a sex technique that you should try as soon as tonight (if you possibly can).
1. It takes the pressure off of you and your partner.
I’ve been working with couples for almost 20 years at this point. This means that the topic of sex comes up quite a bit. And if there’s one thing that continues to be an issue is inconsistent orgasms (check out “Why Do Orgasms So Often Seem Like A ‘Hit-Or-Miss’ Experience For Women?”).
Listen, no matter how many articles you read or sex positions you try, if you’re anxious, stressed out, or overthinking, it’s gonna get in the way of you experiencing high peaks of pleasure on a consistent basis. Since shallowing is something that can easily be done even in foreplay (via fingering and/or oral sex) if you get that first “release” off, that makes it easier to just sit back and enjoy the ones that (hopefully) are to follow.
2. It teaches you more about your vagina.
A part of the reason why I keep repeating certain facts about vaginas in these articles is that it’s amazing how little certain things are discussed en masse — like the size of the vaginal tube. And since shallowing helps you to stimulate the nerve endings at the entrance of your va-jay-jay along with your G-spot (which is housed a little ways from your opening), shallowing is a great way to explore that area of your body as you figure out what truly works for you and…what doesn’t.
3. It’s the perfect merging of foreplay and intercourse.
When you really stop to think about it, shallowing is like the bridge between foreplay and intercourse because you can use so many different things to do it. So, if you want to experiment with a new sex toy or you want a bit more time to “warm up the engine” before full-on penetration begins, shallowing is one of the most sexually arousing compromises there is.
4. It can help to increase your partner’s stamina.
A few years back, I penned an article for the site entitled, “We’ve Got Some All-Natural Ways To Increase Stamina & Sensitivity.” Listen, even though I once read a GQ article that said that over 60 percent of the people they polled were fine with intercourse lasting no longer than 5-10 minutes — that poll doesn’t speak for all of us, chile.
So, if you would like your man to build up to going longer, shallowing can help to make that happen. Since he’s barely putting beyond the tip in, he can learn how to be in you for longer periods of time without being, well, in you.
5. It helps you to appreciate whatever “package” he has.
Again — and it really can’t be said enough — if shallowing is all about exploring the mere entrance of your vagina, you don’t need a man with BDE (check out “BDE: Please Let The 'It Needs To Be Huge' Myth Go”) or honestly, even anything close to it.
I mean, even though, reportedly, the size that the average woman says gives her the most orgasms is eight inches — I bet those women have never really tried shallowing before. 10”, 8”, or the average 5.5” can certainly get the job done. And well.
6. It feels A-MAZ-ING.
Okay, so now that you know about shallowing, I promise that if you put the word into your favorite search engine, you’re either gonna see articles on golfing (LOL) or sex, especially as of late. That’s because more couples are trying it out and getting mind-blowing results from it. So, if you’re looking for something new to try, give shallowing a shot.
Hey, anything that’s designed to stimulate your most intense vaginal nerve endings has got to be something for the record books. I mean, how could it not be? Lawd.
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