It’s 2018 and the idea of choosing unisex names is something celebrities and parents around the world have already embraced. And as trends continue to grow, according to ONS, 1 in 250 people in the UK identify themselves as gender-neutral, representing 0.4% of the population.
And you only need to turn to some of the most famous celebrity couples such as the Kardashians, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds and Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis who have all opted for unisex monikers for their little ones. And even brands synonymous with selling children’s clothes, toys and accessories have adapted and developed gender-neutral collections to move with the times.
As a result, Online Marketplace OnBuy.com sought to find out what are the most popular unisex baby names in England and Wales. The research was conducted by listing all of the gender-neutral baby names listed on Nameberry.com and seeing where they rank in the list of the most popular baby names released by ONS.
The 20 most popular unisex baby names are:
Noah, Charlie and James are the top three favourite unisex names in England and Wales. Other, perhaps unfamiliar unisex names include: ‘Arlo, Reggie and Dylan’.
Furthermore, considering how popular unisex names are perceived to have become, OnBuy.com conducted a survey with 1,466 British parents, to understand what they think about this fast-growing trend, whether they would choose a unisex name, and if they would purchase gender-neutral products for their child/children.
SURVEY RESULTS
Have you already got a child with a gender-neutral name?
• Yes – 27%
• No – 73%
Would you choose a gender-neutral name for your child?
• Yes – 45%
• No – 37%
• I don’t know – 18%
Why would you choose/chosen a gender-neutral name?
• I like the sound of it – 45%
• I like to follow trends – 27%
• I believe a non-gender-neutral name would limit my child – 32%
• Other – 9%
Do you buy your child gender-neutral toys?
• Yes – 82%
• No – 18%
If no what is the reason?
• There is a reason for gender – 17%
• They are too expensive – 45%
• I don’t like them – 33%
• My children don’t like them – 12%
• Other – 8%
Do you buy your child gender-neutral clothes?
• No – 45%
• Yes – 55%
If no, what is the reason?
• There is a reason for gender – 33%
• They are too expensive – 42%
• I don’t like them – 17%
• My children don’t like them – 36%
• Other – 4%
Have you ever been told that your child should wear more gender appropriate clothing?
• Yes – 27%
• No – 73%
If yes, by who?
• Family member – 12%
• Stranger – 74%
• Friend – 9%
• Other – 5%
Would you let your child choose their own clothes?
• Yes – 78%
• No – 22%