[name]Shannon[/name] is one of the few names that I see as “truly unisex” and like either way.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but is this name etymologically unisex? I know it originates from the river in [name]Ireland[/name], thus it appears that as a given name it is equally legit for both genders (one time somewhere I recall [name]Pam[/name] and [name]Linda[/name] mentioning that it is not traditionally used as a first name in [name]Ireland[/name], much like [name]Colleen[/name]).
Back onto opinions of the name, do you find it too dated for use today? [name]Do[/name] you think it would be “fresher” when used on a boy, similar to what I’ve said about names like [name]Kelly[/name] and [name]Robin[/name]? (Keep in mind I’m one who is very open to unisex names for boys, and I’m a guy with one myself.) Does the name “sound” more masculine or feminine to you? Combo ideas (for either gender) are welcome as well; one that I used to like is [name]Shannon[/name] [name]Lee[/name]/[name]Leigh[/name] (middle name there is a family one), but that one may have the issue of both names being androgynous.
I’ve never heard of [name]Shannon[/name] being unisex before. To me it’s all girl. That being said, I don’t know if I’ve ever actually met a [name]Shannon[/name].
I went to HS with a guy named [name]Shannon[/name], but he went by a completely unrelated nickname- everyone always commented how they thought it was weird he had a “girl’s name” so I’m guessing that’s why he felt the need to change his name.
Although technically gender neutral, I’m guessing that if someone heard this name, they would automatically assume female.
I have a sister named [name]Shannon[/name] and I’ve never heard of a boy with it. She loves that she is the only [name]Shannon[/name] that she knows too!
I’ve known a few girl Shannons and two boys named [name]Shannon[/name]. I do see it as a little dated. Most Shannons I knew were all about the same age as me…born in the late 70’s. [name]Don[/name]'t let that discourage you though. [name]Shannon[/name] is a perfectly good name & I can’t think of any negative associations that come with it.
I know boy and girl Shannons and agree that the sound of the name is perfectly unisex. In my experience, the female Shannons are older (born in 70s) while the male Shannons are younger (maybe 90s, 00s). I guess that means I agree with you that on a boy, it seems “fresher”! I think you’re right that [name]Leigh[/name] (esp spelled [name]Lee[/name]) is too androgynous to go with [name]Shannon[/name] and you would need a middle name that is clearly of one gender or the other.
I’m a teen, so to me [name]Shannon[/name] is a bit dated but 100% female. That being said, I don’t think it is totally out for a boy. But personally, I think it just sounds more feminine.
I went to high school with a lot of girl [name]Shannon[/name]'s, so I think of it as a female name. But my brother has a male friend named [name]Shannon[/name], I always felt a little bad for him because he is a very masculine farmer/mechanic type guy.
I know this is years old and i’m completely zombie-fying this thread, and you’ve probably long decided, BUT: My name is [name_u]Shannon[/name_u] [name_u]Lee[/name_u], I’m a girl born in the late 80’s, and I’ve always been aware of the double androgynous thing but I’ve never - that I’m aware of - been mistaken for a boy. I see [name_u]Lee[/name_u] as more masculine and [name_u]Shannon[/name_u] as more feminine, but I think the way the names sound together add up to something quite feminine, if that makes sense?
Also, oddly enough, I used to see a lot of IDs through work and I’ve seen three other women named [name_u]Shannon[/name_u] [name_u]Lee[/name_u]/[name_u]Leigh[/name_u]…and I met a fourth as a kid.
(also FINE I’m actually lame enough to have searched my own first name, ha.)