So I’m not usually a fan of gender-bending names, for no other reason than it’s just not my style (i.e., no strong feelings for or against it either way)
I came across the Twitter feed of a young man named [name_u]June[/name_u], though, and it got me thinking - why isn’t there more crossover to the boys’ side for this one? I see a lot of love on here recently for [name_u]August[/name_u]/[name_m]Augustus[/name_m] as the most accessible month-name for boys, and for good reason, but [name_u]June[/name_u] seems like it could be a close second. And why not? Doesn’t it share the same characteristics of darlings like [name_u]Jude[/name_u], [name_m]Hugh[/name_m], [name_m]Louis[/name_m], or [name_m]Luke[/name_m]? What is there about [name_u]June[/name_u] that is particularly “feminine” anyway?
I kind of like it! I think it would raise a few questions, but it’s the name of a month, and you’re right, it does share characteristics with [name_u]Jude[/name_u], [name_m]Luke[/name_m] etc.
I like it, but I’m generally a big fan of “feminine” names for boys and always excited to see anyone considering a girl-boy crossover.
The thing that makes [name_u]June[/name_u] so overwhelmingly feminine is just history of usage, I think. [name_u]August[/name_u] has traditionally been used more gender-neutrally (granted, more for boys, but boy-girl crossover has always been more widely accepted — a whole other thread, and one that’s been done many times before).
[name_u]June[/name_u] has a lovely purity and energy to it which seems equally fitting for either sex. Great name!
It’s distinctly feminine, but because that’s how it’s been used. The month of [name_u]June[/name_u] was also named after a goddess [name_f]Juno[/name_f], while the month of [name_u]August[/name_u] was named after an emperor [name_m]Augustus[/name_m]. That said, if you really like it but wanted it to be a bit more distinctly masculine, you could use [name_m]Jun[/name_m]. It’s a Chinese name that’s only used for but us, and has the same sound as [name_u]June[/name_u].
I’ve always thought that “[name_u]Dune[/name_u]” would be a cool male alternative to [name_u]June[/name_u]. It feels masculine and has an obvious sci-fi vibe but sounds the same (probably depending on accent).
This might just be because I know a female [name_u]June[/name_u], but [name_u]June[/name_u] seems more feminine to me. I know a Korean boy who has this as his middle name spelled like Joon, but that’s the only way I’ve ever seen it for a boy.
I really like it, but I also really like feminine names on boys. I really don’t see why it wouldn’t work in theory, but I can imagine a lot of people thinking he’s a girl.
Another month name I love on boys is [name_u]March[/name_u], but it’s much harder sounding, so you might not like it.
The spelling [name_u]June[/name_u] reads feminine to me but because of the CFL and U.S. football coach, [name_m]Jun[/name_m] [name_m]Jones[/name_m], I think that spelling definitely can work for a boy.
If I saw it on paper I would assume it’s a girl because that’s what is typically used. But I also think of [name_f]Junie[/name_f] from.[name_u]Sky[/name_u] kids and I love [name_u]June[/name_u] for a boy. It’s actually in my top ten
I think it’s realistic to use [name_u]June[/name_u] for a boy. The name doesn’t sound or appear inherently feminine when spoken or written. As for it’s roots, there is some suggestion that the month of [name_u]June[/name_u] wasn’t named just for the goddess [name_f]Juno[/name_f], but also for [name_m]Lucius[/name_m] [name_m]Junius[/name_m] [name_m]Brutus[/name_m], a founder of the roman republic, who just so happens to be a man.
Yes, I think it’s the predominantly female usage of [name_u]June[/name_u] as a name that has most assume it to be a girl’s name, however, it does have usage on males, just a lot less often, and as a word type name, should be unisex. I think [name_u]June[/name_u] would make a great name for a boy myself, and would love to see it used more.
My brother’s name is [name_f]Jade[/name_f], and though often times on paper he’s automatically assumed to be a girl (easy mistake, as most people only ever have know female [name_f]Jade[/name_f]'s, and thus associate it that way) a quick correction is all it takes, and all is well. He’s never been teased or anything for ‘having a girls name’, though he does get a little irritated from time to time if the assumption that he is a girl causes more of an issue (ie. documentation) than a quick correction can rectify.
I can empathize with your brother - on paper I’m often assumed to be a man because of my name ([name_u]Jamie[/name_u]), in spite of its common acceptance as a unisex name in the US. Usually it’s funny to see their reactions when they realize I’m the opposite of what they expected, and only people significantly older than me have ever picked on my name (“That’s not a real name for a girl, what’s your full name?”)
My experiences are most likely the reason crossover names generally don’t appeal to me, and I’m not intending to use [name_u]June[/name_u] for a son any time soon, but I figured this was one the NB community would like to chew on!
I’ve thought about [name_u]June[/name_u] on a boy for a long time actually! While I wouldn’t personally do it, I think it works well! I might do it as a middle. I love the name [name_u]June[/name_u].
If a man introduced himself to me as [name_u]June[/name_u], I think I would just assume it was short for “[name_m]Junior[/name_m]”, ala [name_f]Juni[/name_f] [name_m]Cortez[/name_m] from the “Spy Kids” franchise.
I had an uncle named [name_u]June[/name_u] but also know some little girls named [name_u]June[/name_u] so to me it is 100% gender neutral.
I toyed with naming my son [name_u]Juniper[/name_u] which I really, really wanted to do and think could have been fine…but ultimately I was worried there would be too many assumptions that they were female throughout their life and didn’t want to saddle them with that just in case. I might feel the same about [name_u]June[/name_u] even though I PERSONALLY see it as totally acceptable for a man.