Name Gender Checker
Based on US Social Security Administration birth records.
What the Percentage Split Actually Means
The tool shows what share of Americans with your first name were registered male or female at birth, based on SSA records. A result of 97% male means the name is strongly masculine in the US. A result between 40% and 60% on either side means the name is genuinely unisex. Most names that people describe as gender-neutral are more skewed than people expect. Jordan, for example, sits around 70% male. Avery runs close to 80% female. The split tells you what the data shows, not what people assume.
The Five Gender Categories Explained
| Category | Split Range | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Strongly Male | 90%+ male | James, Robert, Michael, William |
| Mostly Male | 70-89% male | Jordan, Elliot, Cameron |
| Genuinely Unisex | 40-60% either side | Riley, Finley, Sage |
| Mostly Female | 70-89% female | Avery, Quinn, Morgan |
| Strongly Female | 90%+ female | Emma, Olivia, Sophia, Mary |
Names That Switched Gender Over Time
Some names started as predominantly male and are now predominantly female. This shift happens gradually over decades as parents begin choosing the name for daughters and the male association fades.
| Name | Was Mostly | Now Mostly | Approximate Shift Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley | Male | Female | 1970s to 1990s |
| Lindsay | Male | Female | 1960s to 1980s |
| Riley | Male | Female | 2000s to 2020s |
| Aubrey | Male | Female | 1980s to 2000s |
| Dana | Male | Female | 1960s to 1980s |
The US Social Security Administration birth records document this shift clearly. Once a name crosses below 60% for one gender, the transition typically accelerates within one generation.
Why Some Names Stay Strongly Gendered
Names with deep religious or historical roots in one gender tend to hold their association. James, John, and William have been among the most common male names in the US for over a century with almost no crossover. Mary, Elizabeth, and Patricia show the same stability on the female side. These names carry enough cultural weight that parents rarely consider them for the other gender. Names that drift toward unisex status are usually newer, shorter, or surname-derived, like Taylor, Morgan, or Parker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Whether you are checking a name for a baby, curious about your own, or settling a debate about whether a name is really unisex, the SSA birth records give you the most accurate picture available. Type your name above to see where it lands, then check how many Americans carry it at howmanyofmes.com.