I find there’s a dearth of fanciful names that have a gender neutral “feel”. I’ve been obsessively searching to grow my list but keep coming upon the same category of names that feel very modern and almost [name_m]Southern[/name_m] to me (obvious surnames, boy-names-on-girls, etc which just aren’t exciting to me). Where are the names fit for a mischievous sprite, a friendly cryptid, a run-of-the-mill bleeding heart? Does anyone have any gems that fall into this fun niche?
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f]My[/name_f] current list: [name_f]Thomasin[/name_f], [name_m]Vivendel[/name_m], [name_f]Ardith[/name_f], [name_m]Caspian[/name_m], [name_m]Sylvan[/name_m], [name_m]Dorian[/name_m], [name_f]Mischa[/name_f], [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m], [name_m]August[/name_m], [name_m]Prosper[/name_m], [name_m]Kit[/name_m], [name_m]Rhys[/name_m], [name_m]Laurie[/name_m], [name_f]Audrey[/name_f], [name_f]Romilly[/name_f], [name_m]Asa[/name_m], [name_f]Vale[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]
In the case of [name_m]Bellamy[/name_m], I was tickled to find how many people feel it is too masculine for a girl and too feminine for a boy. That’s exactly how I think of gender neutral names [name_f][/name_f]- a perfect blend where someone wouldn’t automatically assume the wearer’s gender. Of course, this applies to names like [name_m]Alex[/name_m] and [name_m]Morgan[/name_m] too but I’m a sucker for pizazz.
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I’m in love with your list, and with this phrase:
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f] andromedabeatrix:
[name_f][/name_f]Where are the names fit for a mischievous sprite, a friendly cryptid, a run-of-the-mill bleeding heart?
[name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]
Maybe…
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Alyosha[/name_m]Auren
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I do think of some of the names on your list as strictly gendered (Thomasin is a girl name, [name_m]Rhys[/name_m] a boy name, etc.) so I’m also going to make a few strictly gendered suggestions if they fit the vibe you seem to be going for, I hope that’s okay! But still most of these are unisex:
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f]Elya[/name_f]
[name_m]Irinel[/name_m]
Ooh, fun niche
[name_f][/name_f]
Maybe…
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Peregrine[/name_m]
I’m loving Floris, Luciel, Katriel, Rosen, and Alician! They all have a blend of traditionally feminine and traditionally masculine sounds without feeling “made up”. They feel solid and historic without being heavily associated with anyone in particular - you really understood what I was going for!
Russian diminutives seem to have a certain romantic flair in general. Alyosha and Vanya were both characters in a series I read last year and each use of their respective nicknames felt tinged with magic.
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I’m so glad you like them! “Gender-neutral yet non-modern feeling” is definitely one of my favourite name categories, so this was a fun exercise.
Less gender coded names with some pizazz (hopefully!) for you:
[name_f]Philomel[/name_f] and [name_f]Melisande[/name_f] are perfect! [name_f]Philomena[/name_f] is one of my favorite girl names but that “-mel” ending brings the mellifluous back down to earth.
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Honestly I only just discovered [name_f]Philomel[/name_f] and I’m in love!
