Verdict on the kinda-unisex names?

General Name Discussion
1

What’s the nameberry verdict on boy-girl names that SOUND the same but are spelled differently? [name_m]Emmanuel[/name_m] - [name_f]Emmanuelle[/name_f], [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] - [name_f]Raphaelle[/name_f], etc. My sense is that they do not fall under the unisex category because (a) if [name_f]Emmanuelle[/name_f] is introducing herself to someone, it’s likely pretty clear what gender she is, and (b) if [name_m]Raphael[/name_m]'s first introduction is via email / resume, then it’s written and it’s clear that he’s of the male variety. So the only time there would be ambiguity is when a 3rd party is talking about them.

So, I say not unisex. What sayeth the experts?

2

Definitely not unisex. They’re the masculine and feminine versions, as simple as that. And I never like mixing them up.

3

I agree with this 100%! I love a lot of these names, and I hope there isn’t a push to feminize the masculine versions in the future.

4

I don’t think of them as unisex. [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] has a history of being a boys name, [name_f]Raphaelle[/name_f] a history of being a girls name. They’re not the same name (which it would have to be in order for it to be unisex).

5

Of course they’re not unisex, one is strictly female, the other is male, there is a reason why they are spelled differently.