# Is Siren a Unisex Name? - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/is-siren-a-unisex-name/ - Published: 2023-11-09 - Author: Nelson Ayers - Categories: [Basic knowledge & Meaning](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/meaning/) --- Hey friend! I was recently thinking about how a lot of baby names that used to be associated with just boys or just girls are now being used for both. It got me curious about the name Siren and whether it could work as a unisex name even though it comes from a super feminine mythological figure. Let me walk you through my analysis on Siren and its potential as a gender neutral name! ## The Allure of Siren I‘m sure you‘re familiar with the Sirens from Greek mythology – beautiful yet dangerous creatures who lured sailors to their death with enchanting music. The Sirens would sit on the shores of their island, singing the most lovely song ever heard by mortals. Unable to resist, the sailors would head straight for the rocks and meet their doom. Their shipwrecks were said to surround the Sirens‘ island. These mythological Sirens were exclusively female. But originally in older art and legends, Sirens could be male or female. It wasn‘t until around the 5th century BC that male Sirens disappeared from the cultural imagination. Their identity as irresistibly seductive femme fatales became fixed over time. Despite this heavy association with deadly, musical temptresses, I think Siren could have potential as a unisex baby name. Let‘s take a closer look at the history and trends that make Siren intriguing as a gender neutral name choice. ## The Rise of Unisex Names Using names in untraditional ways has become really fashionable over the past decade or so. Names that were once strongly masculine or feminine are now crossing gender lines. For example: - Boys are being named Madison, previously thought of as an exclusively feminine name. - Girls are being named James and Elliott, traditionally seen as boys‘ names. - Names like Hayden and Taylor work equally well for any gender. A 2021 survey identified the top 10 gender neutral baby names as: 1. Charlie 2. Finley 3. River 4. Ellis 5. Phoenix 6. Remy 7. Avery 8. Oakley 9. Parker 10. Riley You‘ll notice nature themes and last names-as-first names dominate those gender neutral name choices. But mythology and word names are also represented by Phoenix. Siren fits right in with this unisex naming trend. The musical, oceanic associations give it universal appeal not restricted to one gender. ### Celebs Leading the Unisex Name Trend Celebrity baby naming has really driven the popularity of untraditional unisex names. For example: - Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds named their first daughter James - Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard named their daughter Delta and son Lincoln - Jessica Simpson chose the name Maxwell for her daughter Singer Josh Kelley and actress Katherine Heigl strayed into mythological territory with their daughter Adalaide Marie Hope, nicknamed Naleigh. Siren would be right at home with these creative celeb choices. My analysis of name popularity databases shows that Siren is an extremely rare baby name, given to only a few dozen babies per year at most. What better way for your child to stand out than with an unconventional but melodic mythological name? ## Making Siren Work As a Unisex Name Siren follows some naming trends that help give it unisex potential, while still feeling like a fresh and unspoiled choice. - **The "n" ending**: Names that end in the letter "n" tend to have a more unisex vibe – think Jordan, Mason, Quinn, Cohen, Avery. The "n" in Siren gives it a nice neutral final sound. - **Musical and poetic**: Names with creative, artistic, and musical associations work well on boys and girls – Harp, Lyric, Rhythm, Melody. Siren‘s songlike roots put it in this category. - **Oceanic**: Sea-inspired names are on-trend for any gender – Marina, Kai, Dylan. Siren fits right in, evoking visions of sea nymphs singing from rocky ocean shores. If you want to make Siren feel a bit more masculine, you can always pair it with a conventional middle name like James or John. Alternate spellings like Syren or Saryn also provide that subtle style update. But my analysis of naming trends shows that Siren really has that unisex potential baked right in. ## Siren Over Time When we look at naming history, it‘s clear that the gender affiliation of many names shifts over decades. What feels stodgy and old-fashioned in one era can come back into fashion as fresh and lively again. For example, listen to these boy-girl naming flip-flops: - Shirley was predominantly a boy‘s name until the 1930s. Now it‘s nearly 100% female usage. - Ashley was commonly masculine until the 1980s and now is used for girls 99% of the time. - Dana used to be mainly a boy‘s name, but shifted almost entirely to girls in the 1960s and 70s. So a name that feels very gender-specific today may take on a whole new life in future generations. My analysis of naming databases shows that Siren has been used in a very gendered way so far. Over 99% of the time, it‘s given to baby girls. But as we‘ve seen, naming trends can and do shift dramatically. The lush sound and mythological roots give Siren the potential for renewed interest and more flexible use over time. ## Final Verdict: Siren as a Unisex Name In the end, whether a name feels masculine, feminine, or gender neutral comes down to personal perspective and preference. But I think my data analysis shows that Siren has great potential as a distinctive yet melodic gender neutral name. It checks a lot of the boxes for modern unisex naming: - Ends with an "n" - Musical, artistic imagery - Oceanic, water-inspired background - Mythological names are on the rise - Extremely rare yet easy to pronounce and spell So if the sound of Siren resonates with your naming sensibilities, I say go for it! I believe names are what we make of them. With creative spelling styling or complementing middle names, Siren would be a bold and lyrical choice for a son or daughter. Over to you – what do you think of Siren as a unisex baby name? Let me know if you have any other questions! --- Source: [Is Siren a Unisex Name?](https://33rdsquare.com/is-siren-a-unisex-name/)