Neutral names starting with B: Difference between revisions

An alphabetical list of [[neutral names starting with B]], continued from the [[names]] page, see for more information. These are neutral-gender names, otherwise known as unisex names. They are equally appropriate for girls, boys, and people of any gender. [[Nonbinary]] people don't have to have neutral names, and many [[notable nonbinary people]] have names that are usually either masculine or feminine. Neutral names can help make it safer for people to explore their gender expressions. In English-speaking countries, some of the most familiar gender-neutral names starting with the letter B include Bailey, Bernie, and Billie. However, there are many more unisex names from around the world that start with B, more than 30 of them, as listed below.  Previous page: [[neutral names starting with A]]. Next page: [[neutral names starting with C]].

'''Babe'''. 1. English, an epithet of affection. 2. English. Pet form of Barbara. Feminine. 3. American. Pet name for athletes, from the time of Babe Ruth.<ref name="20000names">http://www.20000-names.com/androgynous_names_unisex_names.htm [https://web.archive.org/web/20230611030801/http://www.20000-names.com/androgynous_names_unisex_names.htm Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> US Social Security Administration (SSA) data shows about 1,769 people have had this given name, used as a feminine name 51% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BA/BABE/index.html</ref> Keywords: affection, youth

'''Baby'''. English. Meaning "Baby."<ref>http://www.ourbabynamer.com/meaning-of-Baby.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20230604083051/http://www.ourbabynamer.com/meaning-of-Baby.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref>https://www.thenamemeaning.com/baby [https://web.archive.org/web/20230325141015/https://www.thenamemeaning.com/baby/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref>https://www.babynames.com/name/baby [https://web.archive.org/web/20220925122221/https://babynames.com/name/baby Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> US SSA data shows about 2,856 people have had this given name, used as a feminine name 51% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BA/BABY/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20210804180651/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BA/BABY/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Keywords: affection, youth

'''Bae'''. American. Meaning a term of endearment.<ref>https://www.babynames.com/name/bae [https://web.archive.org/web/20230317121057/https://babynames.com/name/bae Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> US SSA data shows about 483 people have had this given name, used as a feminine name 73% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BA/BABY/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20210804180651/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BA/BABY/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Keywords: affection

'''Bao'''. Chinese. Meaning "treasure, precious" (宝) or "praise" (褒).<ref name="behindthename" /> US SSA data shows about 9,630 people have had this given name, used as a masculine name 53% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BA/BAO/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20171214215440/http://www.mynamestats.com:80/First-Names/B/BA/BAO/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Keywords: abundance, wealth

'''Bay'''. 1. English. Meaning "Sea inlet" or "The aromatic herb, bay" in English. 2. Vietnamese. Meaning "Seventh [that is, seventh-born, or born in the seventh month]" in Vietnamese.<ref>https://www.babynames.com/name/BAY [https://web.archive.org/web/20230603053110/https://babynames.com/name/bay Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref name="nameberry">https://nameberry.com/search/unisex_names/B [https://web.archive.org/web/20230324023817/https://nameberry.com/search/unisex_names/b Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref name="NeutralBook" /> US SSA data shows about 2,517 people have had this given name, used as a feminine name 67% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BA/BAY/index.html</ref> Keywords: elements, nature, places, water

'''Baylor'''. English (Anglo-Saxon). Meaning "Horse trainer."<ref name="nameberry" /><ref>http://www.ourbabynamer.com/meaning-of-Baylor.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20220816064440/http://www.ourbabynamer.com/meaning-of-Baylor.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> US SSA data shows about 450 people have had this given name, used as a masculine name 77% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BA/BAYLOR/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20171102101635/http://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BA/BAYLOR/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Keywords: animals, occupations, trades

'''Bee'''. English. Meaning "Bee," or a short form of many names starting with B.<ref>https://www.thenamemeaning.com/bee [https://web.archive.org/web/20230531224643/https://www.thenamemeaning.com/bee/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> US SSA data shows about 9,068 people have had this given name, used as a masculine name 64% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BE/BEE/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20211024163949/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BE/BEE/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Keywords: animals, nature

'''Bennie'''. English. Neutral short form of masculine Benjamin, feminine Benjamina, and other names containing "ben."<ref>https://www.thenamemeaning.com/bennie [https://web.archive.org/web/20220705003941/https://www.thenamemeaning.com/bennie/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> In the US, SSA data shows about 56,230 people have had this given name, used as a masculine name 84% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BE/BENNIE/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20210727101727/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BE/BENNIE/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>

'''Bergen'''. Meaning "Mountain" in ancient Germanic.<ref name="NeutralBook" /> US SSA data shows about 334 people have had this given name, used as a feminine name 57% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BE/BERGEN/index.html</ref>

'''Berkeley'''. English. Meaning "From the birch wood."<ref>https://www.babynames.com/name/berkeley [https://web.archive.org/web/20221002043742/https://babynames.com/name/berkeley Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> In the US, SSA data shows about 1,184 people have had this given name, used as a feminine name 57% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BE/BERKELEY/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20211204205805/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BE/BERKELEY/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Keywords: earth, nature, neutral inclined, places, plants

'''Berlin'''. From the name of a large city in Germany.<ref name="NeutralBook" /> US SSA data shows about 1,908 people have had this given name, used as a masculine name 55% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BE/BERLIN/index.html</ref>

'''Bern''', '''Berne''', '''Bernie''', '''Berni''', or '''Berny'''. English. Short for masculine names Bernard, feminine names Bernadette, Bernice, and so on. Bernard is a French name meaning "Brave" or "Bold as a bear."<ref name="behindthename" /><ref>https://www.babynames.com/name/bern [https://web.archive.org/web/20221205220718/https://babynames.com/name/bern Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref>https://www.babynames.com/name/berne [https://web.archive.org/web/20221205211835/https://babynames.com/name/berne Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> In the US, SSA data shows about 26,834 people have had the  name Bernie, used as a masculine name 85% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BE/BERNIE/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20200924020244/https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BE/BERNIE/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Keywords: animals, courage, virtue

'''Bhavya'''. Sanskrit. Meaning "Auspicious, suitable, excellent."<ref>https://www.thenamemeaning.com/bhavya [https://web.archive.org/web/20221007015548/https://www.thenamemeaning.com/bhavya/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> In the US, SSA data shows about 51 people have had this given name, used as a feminine name 81% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BH/BHAVYA/index.html</ref> Keywords: fortune

'''Bill''', '''Billi''', '''Billie''', or '''Billy'''. Short for masculine names such as William, and feminine names such as Wilhelmina.<ref>http://www.babynames.co.uk/meaning_origin_name_Billie.htm [https://web.archive.org/web/20180902205017/https://www.babynames.co.uk/meaning_origin_name_Billie.htm Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref name="NeutralBook" /> US SSA data shows Billie as a feminine name 78% of the time, so it is the most neutral variant,<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BI/BILLIE/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20230604001623/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BI/BILLIE/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> whereas Bill and Billy show more strictly masculine use.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BI/BILL/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20221130214011/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BI/BILL/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BI/BILLY/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20230606072522/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BI/BILLY/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>  These nicknames are likely used for more people than shown in those official records. [[Notable nonbinary people]] with this name include American rapper [[Billy Dean Thomas]].<ref name="Bedian">{{Cite web |title=City Scenes: How Boston's LGBTQ+ Musicians Are Making Space For Each Other |last=Bedian |first=Knar |work=NPR.org |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=November 7, 2020 |url= https://www.npr.org/2020/10/21/925822173/city-scenes-how-bostons-lgbtq-musicians-are-making-space-for-each-other |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529064621/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/21/925822173/city-scenes-how-bostons-lgbtq-musicians-are-making-space-for-each-other |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref>

'''Bird''' or '''Byrd'''. English. Meaning "Bird."<ref name="nameberry" /><ref>https://www.thenamemeaning.com/bird [https://web.archive.org/web/20230603015927/https://www.thenamemeaning.com/bird/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref name="NeutralBook" /> In the US, SSA data shows about 176 people with the given name Bird, used as a masculine name 83% of the time,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BI/BIRD/index.html |title=Archive copy |access-date=2021-04-18 |archive-date=2023-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720101938/https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BI/BIRD/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> so it is the more neutral version, whereas Byrd is used as a masculine name 91% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BI/BYRD/index.html{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Keywords: animals, nature

'''Blair''', '''Blær''', '''Blaer''', or '''Blaire'''. Scottish, English, Gaelic. From a family name meaning "Plain, field, battlefield."<ref name="behindthename" /><ref name="20000names" /> In the US, SSA data shows about 31,560 people with the given name Blair, used as a masculine name 52% of the time,<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BL/BLAIR/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20230329162233/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BL/BLAIR/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> so it is the most neutral version, whereas Blaire is used as a feminine name 98% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BL/BLAIRE/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20160603044838/http://www.mynamestats.com:80/First-Names/B/BL/BLAIRE/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Keywords: nature, places, war, history

'''Blakeley''' or '''Blakely'''. English. Meaning "Dark forest."<ref name="nameberry" /> In the US, SSA data shows about 214 people with the given name Blakeley, used as a feminine name 88% of the time,<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BL/BLAKELEY/index.html</ref>whereas there have been about 1,203 people with the variant Blakely, used as a feminine name 78% of the time, so it is the more neutral version.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BL/BLAKELY/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20160602013344/http://www.mynamestats.com:80/First-Names/B/BL/BLAKELY/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Keywords: colours, fantasy, nature, places

'''Bliss'''. English. Meaning "Perfect joy."<ref>http://www.babynames.com/name/Bliss [https://web.archive.org/web/20221208194920/https://babynames.com/name/bliss Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref name="20000names" /> In the US, SSA data shows about 1,435 people have had this given name, used as a feminine name 89% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BL/BLISS/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20230403183501/https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BL/BLISS/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Keywords: emotions, happiness

'''Blue'''. English. Meaning "The colour blue." Variants include '''Blu'''.<ref>http://www.babynames.com/name/Blue [https://web.archive.org/web/20230528091129/https://babynames.com/name/BLUE Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref>http://www.ourbabynamer.com/meaning-of-Blu.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20220818070151/http://www.ourbabynamer.com/meaning-of-Blu.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref name="NeutralBook" /> In the US, SSA data shows about 223 people have had this given name, used as a masculine name 73% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BL/BLUE/index.html</ref> Keywords: colours. [[Notable nonbinary people]] with this name include American comics creator [[Blue Delliquanti]]<ref>{{cite tweet|user=bluedelliquanti|number=1116133495426961409|title=As an nb person with a complicated perspective toward gender, mlm fiction by women and nb people informed my personal ideals of masculinity far more than work by queer men - not because the latter was lackluster, but bc I guess it was easier to visualize myself in the former|date=Apr 10, 2019}}</ref> and Canadian drag performer [[Blue Wild Rye]]<ref name="biarts">{{Cite web |title=Meet the Artist: Blue Wild Rye |author= |work=Bi+ Arts Festival |date=7 February 2020 |access-date=12 June 2020 |url= http://www.biartsfestival.com/meet-the-artist-blue-wild-rye/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129001436/https://www.biartsfestival.com/meet-the-artist-blue-wild-rye/ |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref>.

'''Bob''', '''Bobbi''', '''Bobbie''', or '''Bobby'''. English. Short for the masculine name Robert, feminine names Barbara and Roberta, and unisex name Robin. Robert and its variations go back to an ancient Germanic name Hredobeorht, meaning "Shining with fame" in ancient Germanic.<ref name="20000names" /><ref name="NeutralBook" /> US SSA data shows Bob and Bobby are strictly used as masculine names, while Bobbi is strictly feminine. Bobbie is the most neutral variant, used as a feminine name 84% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BO/BOBBIE/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20211024082157/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BO/BOBBIE/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> More people likely go by these nicknames than shown in official records. [[Notable nonbinary people]] with this name include American actor [[Bobbi Salvör Menuez]].<ref name="Regensdorf">{{Cite web |title=Bobbi Salvör Menuez's Buzz Cut Is a Work of Art |last=Regensdorf |first=Laura |work=Vanity Fair |date=30 January 2019 |access-date=15 June 2020 |url= https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/01/bobbi-salvor-menuez-adam-name-interview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324225846/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/01/bobbi-salvor-menuez-adam-name-interview |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref> The Peacock comedy series ''Rutherford Falls'' (2021) features a nonbinary character named Bobbie, played by nonbinary actor [[Jesse Leigh]].<ref name="RutherfordFalls">{{Cite web |title=Jesse Leigh Is the Witchy, Nonbinary Bestie We All Need in Our Lives |last=Rudolph |first=Christopher |work=NewNowNext |date=22 April 2021 |access-date=25 April 2021 |url= http://www.newnownext.com/jesse-leigh-nonbinary-rutherford-falls/04/2021/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122235536/http://www.newnownext.com/jesse-leigh-nonbinary-rutherford-falls/04/2021/ |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref>

'''Briar''' or '''Brier'''. English. Meaning "Thorny shrub" in English.<ref name="behindthename" /><ref>https://www.thenamemeaning.com/briar [https://web.archive.org/web/20230325133540/https://www.thenamemeaning.com/briar/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref>http://www.babynames.com/name/Brier [https://web.archive.org/web/20220706134303/https://babynames.com/name/brier Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref name="NeutralBook" /> In the US, SSA data shows about 436 people named Briar, used as a masculine name 66% of the time;<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BR/BRIAR/index.html</ref> US SSA data shows about 167 people go by the variant Brier, also 66% masculine.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BR/BRIER/index.html</ref> Keywords: nature, plants

'''Brighton'''. From the surname, from the place name, meaning "Bright town."<ref name="NeutralBook" /> US SSA data shows about 181 people with this given name, used as a masculine name 64% of the time;<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BR/BRIGHTON/index.html</ref> Keywords: travel, two syllables.

'''Brin'''. Welsh. Variant of Bryn, which see.<ref name="20000names" /><ref>http://www.ourbabynamer.com/meaning-of-Brin.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20220816072417/http://www.ourbabynamer.com/meaning-of-Brin.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> In the US, SSA data shows about 399 people have had this given name, used as a feminine name 89% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BR/BRIN/index.html</ref>

'''Brit'''. English, Irish, and Scandinavian. Meaning "Exalted," from Brigit. Also a nickname for names such as Brittany.<ref>http://www.babynames.com/name/Brit [https://web.archive.org/web/20230323203106/https://babynames.com/name/brit Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref>http://www.babynames.com/name/Britt [https://web.archive.org/web/20230328033012/https://babynames.com/name/britt Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> In the US, SSA data shows about 2,484 people have had this given name, used as a masculine name 82% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BR/BRIT/index.html</ref>

'''Britain'''. English. Meaning "From Great Britain."<ref>http://www.babynames.com/name/Britain [https://web.archive.org/web/20221208032918/https://babynames.com/name/britain Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> In the US, SSA data shows about 325 people have had this given name, used as a masculine name 54% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BR/BRITAIN/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20201020201458/https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BR/BRITAIN/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>

'''Britton'''. English. Meaning "From Brittany."<ref>http://www.babynames.com/name/Britton [https://web.archive.org/web/20230328025750/https://babynames.com/name/britton Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> In the US, SSA data shows about 4,513 people have had this given name, used as a masculine name 78% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BR/BRITTON/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20180316075938/http://www.mynamestats.com:80/First-Names/B/BR/BRITTON/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>

'''Brixton'''. American English. This became a given name in the 2000s. From the name of the district in the city of London, England.<ref name="NeutralBook" /><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/brixton/submitted [https://web.archive.org/web/20211202073751/https://www.behindthename.com/name/brixton/submitted Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> US SSA data shows about 14 people have had this given name, used as a masculine name 88% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/B/BR/BRIXTON/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20180316083604/http://www.mynamestats.com:80/First-Names/B/BR/BRIXTON/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>

 

[[Category:Neutral names]]

[[de:namen#b]]