Been thinking about [name_u]Avery[/name_u] lately. [name_u]Avery[/name_u] started out as a boy name and, based on the data in the US (where I am), has held steady as a boy name for the last couple decades, but it’s skyrocketed as a girl name. I only know one [name_u]Avery[/name_u] and it’s a girl and I feel like most people assume girl now if they hear the name, but I really enjoy it for a boy.
So…what do you think? Is [name_u]Avery[/name_u] still solidly gender neutral or has the significant increase in usage for girls made it less accessible for boys?
I’ve known mostly girls, but come across a boy [name_u]Avery[/name_u] every now and then. I’m guessing this is fairly regional, though. Unisex names are generally more common for girls in my area.
[name_u]Avery[/name_u] is still gender neutral in my eyes, but in the way that [name_u]Riley[/name_u], [name_u]Quinn[/name_u], [name_u]Emery[/name_u], and [name_u]Sage[/name_u] are – would expect a girl, but wouldn’t be surprised to see it on a boy.
I do know a few boy Avery’s but most of them are in their 20’s. For me it would be like [name_u]Riley[/name_u]. I would be a little surprised if [name_u]Riley[/name_u] was a boy, but not shocked
I’d say that while it is gender-neutral, it does weigh heavily towards the girls’ side. I think it still can be usable for boys, like [name_u]Riley[/name_u] or [name_u]Taylor[/name_u], but still feels a bit feminine due to the more recent popularity that way
I’ve never met an [name_u]Avery[/name_u], and where I am, they rank more equally for boys and girls than in the US, so yes, for me it’s solidly unisex and works on a boy. Still, even in the US, it’s still fairly high on the boy’s list, so I don’t think it’s unusable
I think because [name_f]Ava[/name_f] was so popular for girls that [name_u]Avery[/name_u] sounds very girly now. Its not bad for a boy but he will probably be assumed to be a girl sometimes. It doesn’t feel truly gender neutral. Definitely still usable for a boy.
I know about 10 people named [name_u]Avery[/name_u]. 3 boys and at least 7 girls. Personally, I like it better as a boy’s name, however if it bothers you how it seems more common for girls, then I wouldn’t use it. However, I don’t mind it!
I hear ya. I love [name_u]Avery[/name_u] for a boy! I have met both a boy and girl, however the male [name_u]Avery[/name_u] I know is older (30s) and girl is young (3), which I think speaks to the movement towards it being used more for girls at the moment. But I see it as a gender neutral name. If you love it I say use it!
Thanks for the replies, everyone! Like a few of you, I slightly prefer [name_u]Avery[/name_u] for a boy, but I like it either way. Many of you mentioned [name_u]Riley[/name_u], which for me is still very neutral, so it’s interesting so many feel it leans more feminine. We aren’t expecting currently, so I’m just musing at the moment, but I appreciate your responses nonetheless! I’m always curating my name list whether we’re actively in the naming process or not. lol
It was on our final list last time for a team green baby, but would have most likely been used on a girl (girl names were a STRUGGLE for us). [name_u]Avery[/name_u] was one of the few we could agree on.
That said, I know both boy and girl Avery’s.
One of dad’s childhood best friend’s dad was named [name_u]Avery[/name_u] and I always loved that, he would have been in his 90s now days. Then I know another in his early 20s, all of the girls I know are late 20s or younger.
I think [name_u]Avery[/name_u] is one of the few truly gender neutral names that could really go either way. I’m all for an [name_u]Avery[/name_u]!
The only [name_u]Avery[/name_u] I know is a boy, and I think it’s adorable! Honestly, gender neutral names for boys are my favourite. [name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_u]Avery[/name_u]!
Adding another comment… while in the Chick-fil-A drive thru today, I was behind a 30s man named [name_u]Avery[/name_u]! This post was my first thought.