In recent years, with the availability of inexpensive ultrasound procedures, it seems that all soon-to-be parents are racing to have an ultrasound done to learn the sex of their unborn baby.
However, many new parents still prefer finding out the sex of their new baby on his or her birthday. Much like waiting to open a Christmas gift on Christmas morning, some parents prefer to learn the sex of the child on his or her day of birth.
Of course, this offers real challenges to new parents, when naming their new child. Some parents will choose a boy name and a girl name, so they are ready to name the baby when it comes. But other parents would prefer to give their new child a name that could be used with a boy or a girl.
According to records from the U.S. Census Bureau, in 1995 in the United States, 77 of the top 1000 names given to newborn babies were names that were used for both boys and girls. By 2005, there were only 64 names in the top 1000 names given that were classified as a unisex, or androgynous, name.
Between 1995 and 2005, 38 names fell off of the unisex list of baby names. A few of those names fell out of favor entirely. Those names that were still in use in 2005 actually shifted to the boys, as opposed to the girls, contrary to the conventional wisdom concerning the fate of unisex names.
In 2005, Alex, Adrian, Blake, and Carson had become predominantly names for little boys. On the other side, Dana, Erin, Leslie, and Madison lost their unisex status to become names used primarily for little girls.
All baby names have a tendency to trend towards one sex or another. For example, 50 years ago, the Irish-name Shannon was a name that defined mostly boys. About 40 years ago, Shannon started trending towards girls. As we have entered into the 21st century, most Shannon’s are girls, but occasionally you may meet a man by the name of Shannon. Shannon is a name that is on the decline, and declining very fast for boys.
Another example of an old male name is Addison. In 1934, Addison disappeared from the top 1000 list of male names, but made a comeback in 1986, starting its most recent journey as the 513th most popular name for a boy. Addison has continued in the top 1000 list as a preferred name for males, hovering in the 500 and 600 range, until 2008 when it dropped to the 820th most popular name for a boy.
In 1994, Addison cracked the top 1000 on the other side of the table, as the 800th most popular name for a baby girl. Since 1994, Addison has continued to climb steadily through the ranks of the most popular choices of names for a baby girl. In 2006, Addison cracked the top 100 names for a baby girl for the first time, placing Addison at number 28. In 2007, Addison had risen to number 11, dropping slightly in 2008 to number 12, as a girl’s name.
During the 10 years, between 1995 and 2005, the following have remained unisex names, but trended male: Angel, Armani, Ashton, Cameron, Devin, Devon, Drew, Dylan, Jaden, Jaiden, Jayden, Jordan, Logan, Micah, Phoenix, Quinn, Rowan, Ryan, Skyler, and Tyler.
During the same period, between 1995 and 2005, the following have remained androgynous names, but trended female: Alexis, Ariel, Avery, Bailey, Campbell, Camryn, Charlie, Dakota, Emerson, Guadalupe, Harley, Hayden, Jadyn, Jaidyn, Jamie, Jordyn, Kendall, Kennedy, Morgan, Parker, Reagan, Reese, Riley, Rylee, Shea, Skylar, Taylor, and Teagan.
The preferences of parents in naming children has always, and will always, change from generation to generation. What is popular today will likely be unpopular tomorrow; and what is unpopular today will be popular tomorrow.
Just as the miniskirt came into fashion and then receded into the history books, it has seen a renaissance in the last few years. Fashion trends come and go; and baby names come and go.
Many people suggest that these things are generational, and perhaps they are. In one generation, parents desire to give their children average, ordinary names; and then in the next generation, parents desire to assign their children unique and interesting names.
The name that your parents gave you may be on the way in or on the way out. It may be trending male, or it may be trending female.
As you are preparing for the arrival of your next child, you are bound to give a lot of thought and consideration to what you will name him or her. You may choose a name that is simple and ordinary, or you may seek to find a name that will define your child has truly unique.
But, if you have difficulty deciding upon the name for your next child, please visit our website shown below, and let us introduce you to the thousands of other names you might like to choose.
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Amanda van Hess is a freelance writer and editor who often helps friends choose the right baby name. She writes frequently about unisex baby names and other name topics at: http://www.babynamesgarden.com/
Read more articles written by Amanda van Hess
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