Baby names: your opinion on the "masculine" but not uncommon female names?
I see it a lot on this section. Someone will post a name that is unisex and has been for a bit, yet will get comments saying "No, you can't use it as a girl's name. It's masculine."
Aubrey, McKenzie, Madison, Jamie, etc. Are some examples I have seen that are only "male names that should be used for boys, not girl."
However, these names have been unisex for a while now, and I know more girls with any of those names than boys (in fact, I only know one boy named Jamie and one boy named Madison out of that list) To be honest, they all sound pretty neutral to me.
But, and I don't just mean these names, but any of the unisex names which people say "aren't good for (enter gender)" (I've heard some for girl names on boys, but those really don't seem all too popular. The most recent I can think of is seeing Sam, as I've heard people say "it should be used for Samantha, not Samuel." Yeah, I don't know.)
Anyway, what's you opinion on this? Do you think it really matters what gender a name is on, as long as its not too out there? And let's say we stick with more common unisex names. I've heard people say "You might as well name your daughter John and your son Rose." I think I speak for most people in the world when I say: never met anyone like that. So, just to make it easier, stick with the more unisex names.
So, hey, kinda like a free rant! (and just to say, I'm actually interested in other people's opinions. I've seen a lot of this, but not a lot of people explaining why, on either sides.)
2012-07-21T23:05:48Z
Yes, but Aubrey, as well as other similar names, have been used in girls.
Also, Ashley, Lindsey, and a few other names most people would call feminine were originally male names.
Awh, I used to know a little girl named Marley. I was actually going to put it on one of the lists, but wasn't sure if it was used more for boys or girls.
2012-07-22T09:52:38Z
Ah, I see. So, because the definition of a name says it, that means if we don't follow it, a girl with a name meaning "king" is going to go through life being disgraced, because everyone knows every definition of a baby name on the top of their head. I think this rule should apply to all name definitions. If you a blonde kid with a name meaning "dark hair" you better change it. Guess my name has to be changed. I'm a human, and Rachel means Ewe. Oh, that explains why I went through my life thinking I was a barnyard animal.
Not a Bunny2012-07-21T23:01:33Z
Favorite Answer
Aubrey, Mackenzie, Madison, Jamie are not "unsex" names, nor will they ever be.
Aubrey means "Elfin King". King. Not Queen.
Mackenzie means "Son of Coinneach". Madison means "Son of Maude; Matthew's son". Son. Not daughter.
The definition of unisex from Dictionary.com is:
Unisex adjective
1. of, designed, or suitable for both sexes; not distinguishing between male and female; undifferentiated as to sex: unisex clothes.
Is a masculine name designed or suitable for both sexes? No. Because it's masculine. Masculine = male. Male = one sex. Is a masculine name not distinguishing between male and female? No. Masculine = male. Male = distinguishing between male and female, the name is male. Is a masculine undifferentiated to a sex? No. A masculine name is masculine. Masculine = male. Male = Differentiating a sex.
[Edit] "Yes, but Aubrey, as well as other similar names, have been used in girls."
So if one person used Edward on a girl, would that make it "unisex"?
Why this is such a big issue on YA is beyond me. Because these types of arguments are literally unheard of in the real world. Granted I may not agree with giving a girl a masculine name, but I've come to learn and accept that I have no control over what others do. And even though others seem to enjoy ruining names like Aubrey and Mackenzie for everyone doesn't seem to matter to them because it's constantly a me me me universe.
It is not your RIGHT to name the child you've been blessed with, it is your PRIVILEGE, and there is such a big difference between those two things. The day many of you realize this is the day you'll realize that this argument is bleak.
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE NAME CHANGES!!!! GIRLS WILL HAVE BOY NAMES AND BOYS WILL HAVE GIRL NAMES!!!! Why does it matter what you name the child every name that has ever come into this world will always be in this world. Yes they will go back in forth from different genders. But thats just what happens. Things change people change the mind set changes. So why argue weather or not the names are masculine or feminine enough to be used on a certain gender. In my eyes there are boy and girl names, None of this Unisex bull crap. Some people just like certain names on other genders. If people only look at the meanings, than there wouldnt have ever been a girl Mackenzie/Madison in the world today. But guess what there is, and you know why, because not everyone cares about the meaning or the origin of the name. If that is how you chose to name your child(by the meaning) than that you others dont, and the meaning obviously came from somewhere, people make up stuff all the time. People name a little boy Mackenzie and think hes a little king so all of a sudden that becomes the meaning of the ******* name!? So the name "Bearatopis" yeah i made it up, it means "cute little princess' so not it can only be used on a girl. Right? NOPE!!! wrong, any name can be used for any gender. Alright, did i get that through to the people saying that naming your kid Aubrey is cruel because it was used for a boys name for CENTURIES and a girls name for only 80 years or so. Well i think ive made my point to the people that are going to rate this thumbs down because you dont agree that just says that you like the names that she/he has listed above as strickly boy names, like i said there is no wrong gender for a child! Thank you have a nice day :)
Little_Boys: Connor John Woodard Austin Brett Woodard Casey Michael Woodard Jordan Taylor Woodard Kyle Jacob Woodard Michael Paul Woodard Corey David Woodard Brendon Yuri Woodard Holden John Woodard Ross Brian Woodard Davide Kyle Woodard Dylan Jason Woodard Jason Connor Woodard Jared Harrison Woodard Harrison Eli Woodard William Tyler Woodard Tyler William Woodard Baby_Girls: Ashlyn Brooke Woodard Ashlee Krystal Woodard Delilah Jane Woodard Penelope Anne Woodard Penelope Emma Woodard Emma Katherine Woodard Victoria Elaine Woodard Evelyn 'Evie' Alyssa Woodard Joanna Renee Woodard Autumn Railene Woodard Cara Linda Woodard (Cara Linda approach 'beautiful face' in spanish) Ella Anne Woodard Bella Luna Woodard (manner 'wonderful night time' in spanish) Ariana Brooke Woodard Alice Emma Woodard And that's all I've received. Congratulations in your baby! The entire best.
This section is infested with rudeness, intolerance, and extremists when it comes to this topic. That's why I only really come on here to answer a few of my contacts' questions. I'm tired of the gender police telling everyone that their OPINION is the ONLY opinion. It's incredibly illogical and I hate people with such terrible black and white thinking issues.
Anywho, I think it's stupid. I've seen the gender police telling people that they can't use Shannon or Evelyn on a girl! Seriously people?! Those names are considered COMPLETELY feminine now! Personally I would name a girl Sawyer or Lachlan without batting an eye, so you should really stop bullying the people who would use Evelyn on a girl =P And you are bullying people on here.
I LOVE your last additional detail Rachel! =D "So, because the definition of a name says it, that means if we don't follow it, a girl with a name meaning "king" is going to go through life being disgraced, because everyone knows every definition of a baby name on the top of their head." << SO TRUE! I couldn't agree more! "Guess my name has to be changed. I'm a human, and Rachel means Ewe. Oh, that explains why I went through my life thinking I was a barnyard animal." LOLOL! Now THAT is a logical argument! The gender police are such hypocrites when it comes to that sort of thing. According to them, name meanings only matter when they have masculine meanings *rolls eyes* Give me a break!
@Hannah - Um, "Noah" spelled Noa is a LEGITIMATE feminine name. So naming a girl Noah is just a different spelling of a real girls name. You people really need to do better research.
@Fatality and Tჩe เภƒคო๏ยร Յยภภუ - Yes, it would.
@Sian - Yup, that's what we're saying. Culture changes, and names are a part of culture, so if culture changes so Vincent is used on girls, it can and should be used on girls.
@Spencer ❥ Rowan - That is a FABULOUS argument! I definitely agree =)
@Lindsay J - She's not being snappy, she's just pointing out the illogical and hypocritical nature of your argument. If you can't take it then you shouldn't have answered.
Watch out everyone who answers this - the gender police have a gang of followers who thumbs them up no matter how rude they are and thumbs down everyone else no matter how awesome of an argument they make. That's one reason I don't like this site.