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Unisex names are incredibly popular these days. Parents are bestowing names such as Jordan, Madison, Schuyler, Devon, Bailey, Parker and Logan on little girls and boys with increasing frequency. Non-supporters say boys who share a name with girls will suffer the teasing of their classmates (“You’ve got a girl’s name. Eww!”). Others say:
“Why can’t boys use names once they’ve been used by girls? Do they have cooties?
~ Rain, California
And the reply:
“Whether we like it or not, boys get teased for having girls’ names, whereas girls can get away with it. A girl can wear pants or a suit, but a boy can’t wear a dress without being stereotyped. Yes, it’s unfair, and yes, we can all rail about inequality in our society. But I certainly wouldn’t give my son a girl’s name, knowing that he’d be teased, just to prove a point about equality.
~ Trudi, New York
There are also practical matters to consider, such as:
“My husband, daugther and I were at the park last week when we heard a Dad calling out, ‘Logan! Logan!’ You will never believe what happened next: three children came a running, two boys and one girl!”
~ Jackie, North Carolina
“Can you imagine your daughter coming home and announcing she has met her perfect match? And then saying, ‘Oh, and by the way, Mom, his name is the same as mine!’ Just a thought.”
~Samantha, New Jersey
"Of course, one undeniable benefit to giving your child a unisex name is that you only have to pick one, no matter whether you’re having a boy, a girl, or you won’t find out the sex of your baby until it’s born!"
