Latest trend in baby names: Gender-neutral

EQUALITY in sex, sexuality and gender have become more important than ever, reflecting a worldwide cultural shift that's started to influence what we're naming our children.

And while there's no spike in the number of babies called Caitlyn (yet), more and more parents are opting for gender-free names.

'Millennials are an open-minded and accepting group, and they don't want their children to feel pressured to conform to stereotypes that might be restrictive,” global editor-in-chief of US-based BabyCenter, Linda Murray, said.

'Just as companies have started making more neutral kids' clothes, and taking 'boy” and 'girl” labels off toys, an increasing number of parents are choosing unisex names.”

Same same but different. Source: istock

Clothes and toy retailers have been at the forefront of the gender-neutral revolution, with Toys R Us in Sweden releasing a gender-free Christmas catalogue and its British counterpart phasing out separate aisles for boys and girls, grouping products by age instead.

This shift has extended to clothing outlets as well, with Banana Republic's exclusive 'mini” collection exchanging traditional pinks and blues for greys, black and cream.

Gender-bending names leading the pack include (in no particular order):

Amari

Karter

Phoenix

Quinn

Bailey

Sydney

Reese

Peyton

Skylar

Kennedy

Mackenzie

Brooklyn

Harper

Avery

Blake

Easton

Owen

London

Ryan

Reagan