Neutral names starting with A: Difference between revisions

→‎The list: add to Al and Alex keywords
(into: neutral -> gender-neutral)
Tag: 2017 source edit
(→‎The list: add to Al and Alex keywords)
Tag: 2017 source edit
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'''Akira (あきら)'''. Japanese. Traditionally gender neutral. Meaning "Bright" (明), "Clear" (亮), or "Sensible" (顕), depending on how it is written in ''kanji'' characters with the same pronunciation.<ref>http://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Akia/m [https://web.archive.org/web/20210731191343/https://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Akia/m Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref>http://japanesenameguide.blogspot.com/2009/09/akira.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20180902202831/http://japanesenameguide.blogspot.com/2009/09/akira.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref name="2knames" /><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/akira [https://web.archive.org/web/20230529151934/https://www.behindthename.com/name/akira Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> US SSA data shows about 2,350 people with this name, used as a feminine name 78% of the time, but the distribution may differ in Japan.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/A/AK/AKI/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20180223103029/http://www.mynamestats.com:80/First-Names/A/AK/AKI/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Note that English speakers see names ending in ''-a'' as feminine, which is not the rule with names in Japan. Keywords: common, neutral inclined, three syllables
'''Akira (あきら)'''. Japanese. Traditionally gender neutral. Meaning "Bright" (明), "Clear" (亮), or "Sensible" (顕), depending on how it is written in ''kanji'' characters with the same pronunciation.<ref>http://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Akia/m [https://web.archive.org/web/20210731191343/https://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Akia/m Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref>http://japanesenameguide.blogspot.com/2009/09/akira.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20180902202831/http://japanesenameguide.blogspot.com/2009/09/akira.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref name="2knames" /><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/akira [https://web.archive.org/web/20230529151934/https://www.behindthename.com/name/akira Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> US SSA data shows about 2,350 people with this name, used as a feminine name 78% of the time, but the distribution may differ in Japan.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/A/AK/AKI/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20180223103029/http://www.mynamestats.com:80/First-Names/A/AK/AKI/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Note that English speakers see names ending in ''-a'' as feminine, which is not the rule with names in Japan. Keywords: common, neutral inclined, three syllables


'''Al'''. Short for many female, male, and neutral names starting with Al. [[Notable nonbinary people]] with this name include entrepreneur [[Al Sandimirova]]. Keywords: one syllable, very common
'''Al'''. Short for many female, male, and neutral names starting with Al.<ref>Behind the Name (1 Feb 2025). [https://www.behindthename.com/name/al/rating Al rating]</ref> [[Notable nonbinary people]] with this name include entrepreneur [[Al Sandimirova]]. Keywords: one syllable, diminutive, masculine-inclined, very common


'''Albany'''. British. Meaning "A region of Scotland," or later "The capital of New York," and likely connected with the Roman name Albanus, meaning "White" in Latin. Starting in the middle ages, originally a masculine name, now almost exclusively feminine.<ref name="llewellyn43">K. M. Sheard, ''Llewellyn's Complete Book of Names.'' P. 43.</ref><ref>http://www.babynames.com/name/Albany [https://web.archive.org/web/20230330050925/https://babynames.com/name/albany Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/albany/submitted [https://web.archive.org/web/20190908220517/http://www.behindthename.com:80/name/albany/submitted Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref name="NeutralBook" /> US SSA data shows about 176 people with this name, used as a feminine name 99% of the time, so it is not as neutral as it once was.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/A/AL/ALBANY/index.html</ref> Keywords: places, rare, three syllables
'''Albany'''. British. Meaning "A region of Scotland," or later "The capital of New York," and likely connected with the Roman name Albanus, meaning "White" in Latin. Starting in the middle ages, originally a masculine name, now almost exclusively feminine.<ref name="llewellyn43">K. M. Sheard, ''Llewellyn's Complete Book of Names.'' P. 43.</ref><ref>http://www.babynames.com/name/Albany [https://web.archive.org/web/20230330050925/https://babynames.com/name/albany Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/albany/submitted [https://web.archive.org/web/20190908220517/http://www.behindthename.com:80/name/albany/submitted Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref><ref name="NeutralBook" /> US SSA data shows about 176 people with this name, used as a feminine name 99% of the time, so it is not as neutral as it once was.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/A/AL/ALBANY/index.html</ref> Keywords: places, rare, three syllables
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[[File:Alex Gino on September 15, 2016 at International Literature Festival Berlin.jpg|thumb|Alex Gino at the Berlin International Literature Festival 2016.]]
[[File:Alex Gino on September 15, 2016 at International Literature Festival Berlin.jpg|thumb|Alex Gino at the Berlin International Literature Festival 2016.]]
'''Alex'''. Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, East-Slavic, and Scandinavian. Short for masculine Alexander, feminine Alexandra, and so on. Ultimately these trace back to the ancient Greek name Alexandros (Ἀλέξανδρος). Meaning "Defender." Various forms of the name were used for figures in Greek mythology and Roman people in the Christian Bible. The name and its variants spread most throughout all these countries because of the king Alexander the Great, who created one of the largest empires of the ancient world.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/alexander [https://web.archive.org/web/20230522053116/https://www.behindthename.com/name/alexander Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> US SSA data shows about 232,691 people with this name, used as a masculine name 97% of the time, even though English speakers see it as one of the most familiar gender neutral names.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/A/AL/ALEX/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20221130210030/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/A/AL/ALEX/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Variants: '''Alexi''', '''Alexis''', '''Alexus''', '''Alick''', '''Alix''', and '''Alyx''', which each vary in how often they are used as feminine or masculine, which varies further by country and language. Keywords: ancient, Biblical, heroism, mythology, two syllables, very common. Notable nonbinary and genderqueer people with this name include the American children's book writer [[Alex Gino]],<ref name="Hansen">{{Cite web |title=Alex Gino: 'I knew I was different as a kid' |author=Hansen, John |work=the Guardian |date=9 September 2015 |access-date=15 June 2020 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/sep/09/alex-gino-george-transgender-protagonist-interview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623040517/https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/sep/09/alex-gino-george-transgender-protagonist-interview |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref> the writer and therapist [[Alex Iantaffi]],<ref name="DTA">{{Cite web |title=Interview with Alex Iantaffi |author=Jenkins, Andrea |work=Digital Transgender Archive |date=2015 |access-date=26 May 2020 |url= https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/files/3j3332502|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612015329/https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/files/3j3332502 |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref> and the American activist [[Alex Kapitan]].<ref name="Hillbo">{{Cite web |title=Ministry of Language: Interview with Alex Kapitan |author=Hillbo, Tomo |work=Meadville Lombard Theological School |date= |access-date=29 May 2020 |url= https://www.meadville.edu/ml-commons/details/ministry-of-language-interview-with-alex-kapitan/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509011633/https://www.meadville.edu/ml-commons/details/ministry-of-language-interview-with-alex-kapitan/ |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref> [[Nonbinary gender in fiction|Fictional characters outside of the Western gender binary]] with this name include Alex Fierro in Rick Riordan's book series "Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard;" Alex Cyprin in the visual novel ''Astoria: Fate's Kiss;'' and Alex in ''Static'', a romance novel by L. A. Witt.  
'''Alex'''. Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, East-Slavic, and Scandinavian. Short for masculine Alexander, feminine Alexandra, and so on. Ultimately these trace back to the ancient Greek name Alexandros (Ἀλέξανδρος). Meaning "Defender." Various forms of the name were used for figures in Greek mythology and Roman people in the Christian Bible. The name and its variants spread most throughout all these countries because of the king Alexander the Great, who created one of the largest empires of the ancient world.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/alexander [https://web.archive.org/web/20230522053116/https://www.behindthename.com/name/alexander Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> US SSA data shows about 232,691 people with this name, used as a masculine name 97% of the time, even though English speakers see it as one of the most familiar gender neutral names.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/A/AL/ALEX/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20221130210030/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/A/AL/ALEX/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Variants: '''Alexi''', '''Alexis''', '''Alexus''', '''Alick''', '''Alix''', and '''Alyx''', which each vary in how often they are used as feminine or masculine, which varies further by country and language. Keywords: ancient, Biblical, diminutive, heroism, mythology, two syllables, very common. Notable nonbinary and genderqueer people with this name include the American children's book writer [[Alex Gino]],<ref name="Hansen">{{Cite web |title=Alex Gino: 'I knew I was different as a kid' |author=Hansen, John |work=the Guardian |date=9 September 2015 |access-date=15 June 2020 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/sep/09/alex-gino-george-transgender-protagonist-interview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623040517/https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/sep/09/alex-gino-george-transgender-protagonist-interview |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref> the writer and therapist [[Alex Iantaffi]],<ref name="DTA">{{Cite web |title=Interview with Alex Iantaffi |author=Jenkins, Andrea |work=Digital Transgender Archive |date=2015 |access-date=26 May 2020 |url= https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/files/3j3332502|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612015329/https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/files/3j3332502 |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref> and the American activist [[Alex Kapitan]].<ref name="Hillbo">{{Cite web |title=Ministry of Language: Interview with Alex Kapitan |author=Hillbo, Tomo |work=Meadville Lombard Theological School |date= |access-date=29 May 2020 |url= https://www.meadville.edu/ml-commons/details/ministry-of-language-interview-with-alex-kapitan/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509011633/https://www.meadville.edu/ml-commons/details/ministry-of-language-interview-with-alex-kapitan/ |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref> [[Nonbinary gender in fiction|Fictional characters outside of the Western gender binary]] with this name include Alex Fierro in Rick Riordan's book series "Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard;" Alex Cyprin in the visual novel ''Astoria: Fate's Kiss;'' and Alex in ''Static'', a romance novel by L. A. Witt.  


'''Alexis'''. English, French, and German. Variant of Alex, which see. Meaning "Defender" in Greek (Ἄλεξις).<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/alexis [https://web.archive.org/web/20230315034654/https://www.behindthename.com/name/alexis Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> US SSA data shows about 377,890 people with this name, used as a feminine name 86% of the time, making it currently more gender-neutral than Alex, at least in that country.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/A/AL/ALEXIS/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20220626111643/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/A/AL/ALEXIS/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Notable men with this name include a 4th century BCE playwright, and a 5th century saint, and notable women include actor Alexis Smith (b. 1921), the latter causing this to become popular as a feminine name as well.<ref name="llewellyn47">K. M. Sheard, ''Llewellyn's Complete Book of Names.'' P. 47-55.</ref><ref name="behindthename" /> Keywords: feminine inclined, three syllables, very common. [[Nonbinary gender in fiction|Fictional characters outside of the Western gender binary]] with this name include the [[bigender]] protagonist of the novel ''Somebody Told Me'', by bigender author [[Mia Siegert]].
'''Alexis'''. English, French, and German. Variant of Alex, which see. Meaning "Defender" in Greek (Ἄλεξις).<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/alexis [https://web.archive.org/web/20230315034654/https://www.behindthename.com/name/alexis Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> US SSA data shows about 377,890 people with this name, used as a feminine name 86% of the time, making it currently more gender-neutral than Alex, at least in that country.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/A/AL/ALEXIS/index.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20220626111643/https://mynamestats.com/First-Names/A/AL/ALEXIS/index.html Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> Notable men with this name include a 4th century BCE playwright, and a 5th century saint, and notable women include actor Alexis Smith (b. 1921), the latter causing this to become popular as a feminine name as well.<ref name="llewellyn47">K. M. Sheard, ''Llewellyn's Complete Book of Names.'' P. 47-55.</ref><ref name="behindthename" /> Keywords: feminine inclined, three syllables, very common. [[Nonbinary gender in fiction|Fictional characters outside of the Western gender binary]] with this name include the [[bigender]] protagonist of the novel ''Somebody Told Me'', by bigender author [[Mia Siegert]].
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