You can’t talk about modern UK naming without mentioning the rise of gender-neutral options. Names like Riley, Harper, and Charlie are now equally common for boys and girls.
This is a clear cultural shift. In 2010, only 2% of babies got gender-neutral names. Today? That number is closer to 10% and climbing. It reflects a broader conversation about identity and freedom from stereotypes.
Practical tip: If you love a unisex name but worry about confusion at school, pair it with a distinctly gendered middle name. Riley James sounds solid. Harper Rose feels balanced.
How the UK's most popular baby names have changed in a generation
