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HelpTraditionally Unisex Names
I'm not talking about names that have only recently become unisex, like Addison or Madison. I'm wondering about names like Vivian or Christian, which could belong to either sex depending on the time and place.
The reason I bring this up is because I recently wrote a paper and in my referencing, mistook someone named Vivian for being a woman. Needless to say, my professor wrote in the margins that Vivian was actually a man (it turns out that she knows him).
So people of BtN, what are some names you would consider to be traditionally unisex?
The reason I bring this up is because I recently wrote a paper and in my referencing, mistook someone named Vivian for being a woman. Needless to say, my professor wrote in the margins that Vivian was actually a man (it turns out that she knows him).
So people of BtN, what are some names you would consider to be traditionally unisex?
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Replies
I wouldn't consider those names to be traditionally unisex. I'd consider them to be traditionally masculine which transitioned to feminine. I can't think of a name that started as feminine and moved to be masculine.
Beverly
Avery
Vivian
Evelyn
Madison
Any surname name really begins as masculine.
The only names I would consider to be unisex would be some modern word names or nature names. Though really these aren't traditionally names at all.
Beverly
Avery
Vivian
Evelyn
Madison
Any surname name really begins as masculine.
The only names I would consider to be unisex would be some modern word names or nature names. Though really these aren't traditionally names at all.
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Actually, in the middle ages Christian could have gone both ways.
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I'd say you're looking for unisex English names that aren't unisex nicknames, and weren't originally surnames.
Along the lines of Christian, I think religious names like Angel and Jordan have a similar history of use for both genders. In Spanish, you have the same deal for names like Carmen, Cruz, Rosario, Guadalupe, etc.
Vivian is an interesting one. The only comparable name I can think of is Jocelyn.
It also reminds me that Lilian is a boys' name in French, though they're not related. That it turn reminds me that Jasmin (without the E) is also masculine in French.
This is totally not what you're asking for, but I've always gotten a kick out of the Italian boys' names that are girls' names in other languages: Andrea, Simone, Nicola, Michele, etc.
Along the lines of Christian, I think religious names like Angel and Jordan have a similar history of use for both genders. In Spanish, you have the same deal for names like Carmen, Cruz, Rosario, Guadalupe, etc.
Vivian is an interesting one. The only comparable name I can think of is Jocelyn.
It also reminds me that Lilian is a boys' name in French, though they're not related. That it turn reminds me that Jasmin (without the E) is also masculine in French.
This is totally not what you're asking for, but I've always gotten a kick out of the Italian boys' names that are girls' names in other languages: Andrea, Simone, Nicola, Michele, etc.
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Actually, your answer was probably closer to what I was looking for than any of other others. You're right, that is pretty interesting about the Italian names.
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The first that comes to mind is Morgan.
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I was going to say Dana, too. Also Loren (although I guess Lauren is used mainly for girls not Loren.). ;) -
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