…
Its borderline for me - with the combination I would always assume girl as a first reaction. Maybe [name_m]Idris[/name_m] if you want it more clearcut? Changes the whole name dynamic though!
Ask pre-teen and teenage boys and men their thoughts.
I think in theory [name_f]Iris[/name_f] on a boy is really cool!
I don’t think [name_f]Iris[/name_f] is necessarily a ‘girls name’ and [name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_m]Apollo[/name_m] does have an amazing ring to it.
It’s definitely much more common for girls, and the name itself seems to be on the rise so I would maybe be concerned that there will be an increase in girls named [name_f]Iris[/name_f] which might put me off. I’m all for names being used on pretty much any gender in theory, it’s just when it comes to being the lived experience of any child whose name is MUCH more common for a different sex. If there were any boys named [name_f]Iris[/name_f] in 2016, there were fewer than 5. I feel the same about the name [name_u]Ruby[/name_u], which I love on a boy but I’m just not sure it can be pulled off.
That being said, if you’re going to use a name more popular on girls, names like [name_f]Iris[/name_f] and [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] are at least not overly frilly.
You could consider [name_m]Idris[/name_m] [name_m]Apollo[/name_m] instead if you were concerned about [name_f]Iris[/name_f] on a boy.
[name_f]EDIT[/name_f]: I asked my S/O for a male perspective and he said ‘It’s a bit weird but it’s ok I guess’. Obviously he doesn’t speak for all men, but there’s one opinion!
…
I think [name_u]Eden[/name_u] or [name_u]Wren[/name_u] would be easier to wear.
[name_f]Iris[/name_f] us usually a girl’s name. I think you should think of something else. Actually, it is very easy to name a child. We forget that the child is going to have to live with that name. So you know, it could get a little challenging. Everybody at school would first think he’s a girl. If we can avoid this, we should. [name_m]Just[/name_m] my opinion.
I agree with @maerad. [name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_m]Apollo[/name_m] is super cool.
I’m not specifically opposed to unisex names, but you have to deal with the world we’re currently living in. [name_f]Iris[/name_f] is a girls’ name, and naming a boy [name_f]Iris[/name_f] is asking for him to be teased. It creates a focus on the name itself instead of on who the kid is. He’d constantly have to correct people and deal with their reactions to his name; it would never not be a thing. [name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_m]Apollo[/name_m] sounds really cool, but you’re not talking about naming a character in a book, you’re talking about a boy who has to be on the playground at school and the lunchroom and the soccer team. Giving such a gendered name to the opposite gender isn’t really kind. And, yes, it’s probably unfair that a girl can get away with being called [name_m]Wyatt[/name_m] or [name_u]Mason[/name_u] while a boy would be mercilessly teased for being called [name_f]Iris[/name_f]; but, that’s the world we’re currently in. It’s possible that at some point in the future, current gender perception for names will change and lessen to the degree that it won’t really matter. I saw a show called The 100 which is set in the far future, and there’s a girl named [name_m]Clarke[/name_m]. It could happen. But it’s not the reality now. If you like unisex names, then find and use one. I’d avoid trying to turn a girls’ name into a boys’ name by using your child as the text subject.
I’m not a fan of it for a boy either, sorry. Although I think it could work. I know a guy that goes by [name_f]Star[/name_f], (it’s his last name) and he totally pulls it off. On the other hand, he could really dislike having a girls name. My dads name is [name_u]Loren[/name_u] and he hates it. He often goes by [name_m]Lorenzo[/name_m] to avoid confusion. I know pp have mentioned [name_m]Idris[/name_m] and I love it! One of my favorites. I think [name_u]Ira[/name_u] would also be a good alternative.
It is really cool, but I’m not sure if it works. I prefer [name_m]Idris[/name_m] or [name_u]Eden[/name_u].
oooh, I absolutely love [name_u]Wren[/name_u] [name_m]Apollo[/name_m]! I think it’s so handsome!!
I agree that I like [name_f]Iris[/name_f] on a boy, but it may be a bit hard for him to wear in real life. I love unisex names, so I personally don’t see a problem with it, but he might not like having a name that’s usually used on girls.
I also really like [name_u]Eden[/name_u]! I think that’s a name that any gender can use. I just prefer [name_u]Wren[/name_u]!
([name_m]Idris[/name_m] is also a nice suggestion! very strong. [name_u]Ira[/name_u] was also the first thing to come to mind when thinking of a boy named [name_f]Iris[/name_f])
I don’t like [name_f]Iris[/name_f] on a boy. [name_m]Way[/name_m] too girly sounding.
I don’t like [name_f]Iris[/name_f] or [name_m]Apollo[/name_m], especially together, but if you like it go ahead and do it. It doesn’t sound gender specific.
Never cared for [name_f]Iris[/name_f]. I don’t find it at all feminine, maybe because I think of an eyeball instead of a flower. So, I can see it as a boy or unisex name
I prefer Ibis. I also like [name_u]Wren[/name_u] & [name_u]Eden[/name_u]
1 Like
As someone who loves names like [name_f]Jade[/name_f], [name_f]Sapphire[/name_f], [name_f]Sparrow[/name_f], [name_f]Gayle[/name_f], [name_u]Shay[/name_u], and Halo for boys, I don’t see why [name_f]Iris[/name_f] couldn’t work too. I also think with girls being named more traditionally masculine names that it is totally appropriate for boys to be given more feminine sounding names and with an abundance of boys named [name_u]Micah[/name_u], [name_m]Elijah[/name_m], [name_m]Ezra[/name_m], [name_u]Sasha[/name_u], and [name_u]Asa[/name_u] which all end in -A like a lot of girl names, I don’t see why an name with a harsher sound like [name_f]Iris[/name_f] can’t be used on a boy.
[name_m]Idris[/name_m] or [name_m]Isidore[/name_m] is probably safer [name_m]Osiris[/name_m] [name_m]Apollo[/name_m] sounds just as good to me.
I think it’s cute in theory but he will probably be confused for a girl a lot, which might lead to teasing.
[name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_u]Ira[/name_u]? It has the same sound and feel, I think it’s adorable for a boy!
[name_m]Idris[/name_m] [name_m]Apollo[/name_m] sounds badass! 
I love it in theory; I don’t really stick to set genders when I’m looking at names. I don’t think I’d be brave enough to use it, but I would love to meet a little boy named [name_f]Iris[/name_f].