When it comes to naming kids, the rules aren’t so black and white anymore. Traditionally, parents chose names based on the child’s gender (boy or girl). Now, however, there’s a growing awareness about gender neutrality. Many parents are opting for gender-neutral clothes and toys — and baby names are moving in that direction, too.
In fact, since the early 1900s, gender-neutral baby names have been on the rise.
Take the name Charlie. According to Quartz, which analyzed the Social Security Administration’s public data on baby names, in 1910 just 5% of American babies named Charlie were girls. However, in 2016, “girl Charlies took over their male counterparts for the first time,” and accounted for 51% of the share.
Interested in a gender-neutral name for your baby to be? Read on for some Jewish options. (Of course, don’t forget to check out our baby naming guide while you’re at it.)
1. Leor. Leor means “my light” in Hebrew, which means it’s an especially appropriate name to give your bundle of joy if they’re born around Hanukkah.
2. Neta. Neta means “seedling” or “plant.” Very appropriate for a baby — and really anyone, since we all grow and change.
3. Gal. Gal (which can be short for the girl’s name Galit) means “wave.” If you are lover of the ocean and the beach, this is for you.
4. Gil. Gil, which is similar to Gal, means “joy.” The traditional feminine alternative is Gila.
5. Dror. Dror means “freedom” in Hebrew. Who doesn’t want to be named after that?
6. Gefen. Gefen means “grapevine.” Wine, anyone?
7. Rimon. Rimon means “pomegranate.” Pomegranates, of course, are one of the most recognizable and highly symbolic fruits in Jewish culture. For instance, it is customary to eat pomegranate on Rosh Hashanah, as it represents fruitfulness, knowledge, and learning.
8. Liron. Liron means “my song” or “my joy.” How perfect.
9. Ariel. Ariel means “lion of God” in Hebrew. Ariel is also a scriptural name for Jerusalem.
10. Yona. Yona means “dove” in Hebrew. In the Bible, Yonah was the hesitant prophet who ran away from delivering a message to the city of Nineveh and was swallowed by a giant fish.
Check out our baby name guide for more Jewish names.
