In her Oz adventures, Dorothy encountered cyclones and earthquakes, witches and wizards, and all manner of miraculous happenings. She accepted the incredible with great aplomb. But one odd occurrence she simply could not accept: a woman named Bill. Even if that "woman" happened to be a talking chicken.
"But it's all wrong, you know," declared Dorothy, earnestly; "and, if you don't mind, I shall call you 'Billina.' Putting the 'eena' on the end makes it a girl's name, you see."
Dorothy met Bill the yellow hen in the wonderful Ozma of Oz back in 1907. Today androgynous names are much more common, with more and more male names adopted for girls' use every year. Addison, Skyler and Bailey are just a few of the many names that sounded solidly masculine a generation ago, but now rank in the "who can tell?" category. Yet a girl named Bill sounds just as unlikely today as she did in 1907.
Parents are selective in their gender flipping. Androgynous names make up a distinctive style with key elements in common. I tallied up 33 names that were in use exclusively for boys 40-50 years ago, but now sound androgynous or feminine. 23 of the 33 turn out to have surname origins--Parker, Kelsey, Peyton. The others include: names with sounds and rhythms typical of female names (Avery, Aubrey); names that seemed new and unusual 50 years ago and emerged into popularity for boys and girls simultaneously (Devin, Darian); and nicknames, a group which has always been more fluid with gender assignments (Drew, Alex).
Meanwhile the traditional English boys' names remain steadfastly masculine. If you look at the most popular names of 100 years ago, from #1 John to #200 Roscoe, only two names--Lee and Marion--would give you a moment's gender confusion.
For a quick gauge of a name's modern androgyny potential, picture a boy in a rough-and-tumble playground a century ago. Give him the name in question. Then ask yourself: "what are the chance this name gets the kid beaten up?" Today's androgynous names are yesterday's "fancy" names, the too-precious monikers that stood out in a field of Tom, Dick and Harrys. Even names that have become masculine standards in the ensuing years, such as Cameron, retain an echo of fanciness that leaves them open to reassignment. And as for the classic fancy-lad names, girls named Chauncey and Chesley are doubtless right around the corner.
But the classic boys will still be boys. And Bills will still be roosters, not hens.
Comments
My mother's name is Tomi (pronounced Tommy), my name is Charlie, and my daughter's name is Ryan. I always planned to name my next girl Shane (like the girl in Some Kind Of Wonderful) but then I married a man with a son named Shane... and a daughter named Spencer.
Oh yeah, and my 60 year old cousin is named Kyle. Her father misspelled Kyleigh on the birth certificate.
I just read the post (so I skipped some before, there are a LOT) accusing mothers who use Ryan for a girl but not Kelly for a boy of sexism. Tell me one thing: who do you think gets more grief, a girl named Bobbi or a boy named Dana? I have a brother in aw named Tracy and a half-brother named Dana and I can tell you that my name never made life half as difficult as theirs did. If you really think it's the same, send your boy to school in a dress and your daughter in jeans, and see who hears about it more.
I know a female Evan, a number of female Jordans, and a male Morgan (happens to be my dad). My first child will be named Riley, no matter what gender he/she is. I just think it's a great name for either sex.
To Charlie: I am a "counter-example" to the guys with unisex names that you mentioned. I am a male named Kelly, and I love my name! I wouldn't be afraid to use a unisex name if I have a DS in the future (two of my favorites are Rowan and Shannon), and likewise I support those who want to give thier sons a unisex name.
I grew up next to a family who named their daughters Ryan Rebecca and Randi Nicole and I absolutley LOVED their names.Although I have read most of the posts here and I hate to admit because I don't want to be sexist but it does seem to work better to use a boys name for a girl than a girls name for a boy although at the same time I love Ashley for a boy and not at all for a girl.I had a teacher (male) named Leslie and he seemed happy with it. Also once met a boy named Britt (I think it was short for Britain) and found it to be very different and like it better for a girl but it was still a great name either way. I posted about a month ago that I am naming my girl Khyle and it's been interesting seeing peoples reactions when I tell them. Like "excuse me did I just hear you correctly? A GIRL, named....Khyle?!?!" But I have had a few people( ALL GUYS)say they absolutely love it.Due in about 5 weeks and not changing my mind for anyone.not even my husband who keeps begging "can't you just add an e and call her Khylee?
By the way...The name Rowan...never actually heard it before, that I can remember. But if I ever did I think it would be a beautiful girls name!
My sons name is Lindsay,
I think both of Brooke Shield's daughters have great names...Rowan and Greer. One of my co-workers named her daughter Ragan Elizabeth...LOVE IT!!!!
My name is Kyle Leigh and I'm a small korean girl. i'm 22 and no matter how many times i fill out FEMALE on forms, they always get it wrong. I like having a unique name. lots of people get it wrong and call me Kya, kylee, kye, kalle... i don't think its that hard to accept.
My name is Jody, and I am a male. At one time I guess the name Jody was mainly a male name. However, it has been increasingly used as a female name.
I am considering changing my name to Brody, would that be a more masculine name?
my baby sisters name is Jamie Eva and I love it. I think the name Jamie suits a girl a lot more then a boy!
my baby sisters name is Jamie Eva and I love it. I think the name Jamie suits a girl a lot more then a boy!
I am a 48 year old female named Kyle. I have never known a male by the name of Kyle older than me. Therefore, the males have a girl's name! Probably got my name from Kylemoore Ireland, due to my heritagee. I think the drag is though, that when I was a teenager, I knew I would never see KYLE + so and so on any billboards or up in lights. Having the name of Kyle seemed to piss off a lot of women, and women make fun of it. Men don't ever make fun of it, and even say they like it, that it is a cool name for a woman.
I have a sister named Jeri, and a brother named Dana! He was named after Dana Andrews, an actor. My brother is also 6'3" and weighs over 250, and you better NOT tease him about his name! lol
I love unisex names. I have a daughter named Brittany Ashton (we call her Ashton), I have one named Chandler Elizabeth and then I have son named Landon Reese. We are having our fourth child which is a girl and I am having a hard time coming up with a name for her. I have never had anyone say anything about my daughter's name (Chandler). I thought we might but everyone seems to like it.
I have 2 girls, Olivia and Rowyn. We are expecting our third child in just a few months. If it's a boy we've decided on Noah, but we are having trouble coming up with another girls name, any thoughts or suggestions? What about Connor for a girl ?
Wow! I've never seen so many comments by women named Kyle! That makes my heart flutter with happiness! I completely understand what it's like to be asked, "Kyle? Isn't that a boy's name?" My personal response to that has always been, "Well, obviously not as you're standing in front of me and I'm clearly female!"
I also enjoy having a "different" name. Though discussing it every single day with someone new can get old, it makes me memorable and that's fine with me. Like someone else who posted here, I have had guys find my name "hot," and it's been on a conversation starter on several occasions. Also, like another post here, I was born in the 80's and named after a couple of girls my mom knew it highschool. I read online that Kyle was actually in the top 1,000 named for women in several years of the 50's and 80's.
My daughter is due at the end of Jan. and I've loved the name Rowan for over 10yrs. And Rowan she will be! I've actually seen the name used more for a girl, in book, movies, and Brooke Sheild's daughter. I fell in love with the name from a book that I read and wanted it before Brooke ever had her daughter, but I thought it was cool that she chose the name. The only male Rowan I heard of was Rowan Atkinson. When people find out my name choice they either really love it or hate it (they think it's a boy's.) I think it is beautiful and unique. The name carries a lot of magic with it. And that makes it more feminine in my mind at least!!
I HATE MY NAME I HATE MY NAME
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My name is Kyle, I am a girl and I am seventeen. I love my name and I know another girl at my school named Kyle. I like girls names for boys, the only downside is having to explain your name when you first meet someone, but as you get older it gets easier. I've learned to embrace it.
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