Unisex Names
Gender-neutral names with depth and history. Perfect for any child, no matter the story they grow into.
Sekelaga
“Rejoice; be glad”
Sekelaga is a name of Tanzanian origin, used among Bantu-speaking communities in East Africa. It carries the meaning 'rejoice' or 'be glad,' often given to children born during a time of celebration or great family happiness. The name reflects the communal joy that surrounds the birth of a new life.
Sena
“World of sand”
Sena is a modern Japanese unisex name that can be written with various kanji combinations, including characters for 'world' and 'what,' or 'sand' and 'name.' Its meaning shifts subtly depending on the kanji chosen, giving parents creative flexibility. The name has a smooth, flowing sound that feels both contemporary and timeless.
Seneca
“Wise elder, philosophical depth”
Seneca is a distinguished name with strong classical roots, associated with one of Rome's greatest Stoic thinkers. In North America, Seneca is also recognised as the name of one of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, lending it a layered cultural resonance. It is an uncommon but striking choice that conveys intellectual gravity.
Seraphin
“Burning one; fiery angel”
Seraphin is the French form of Seraphinus, derived from the Hebrew 'seraphim,' the plural of 'saraph' meaning burning one or fiery serpent. In biblical tradition the seraphim are the highest order of angels, described in Isaiah as six-winged celestial beings surrounding the throne of God and crying out in continuous worship.
Setlhabi
“Source of pain; one who causes sorrow”
Setlhabi is a Tswana name from Botswana and South Africa, carrying the meaning 'source of pain' or 'one who causes sorrow.' While this may seem unusual, in Tswana naming tradition such names reflect a difficult circumstance at the time of birth, such as a family hardship or loss. It serves as a living record of the community's emotional history.
Setsuna
“Fleeting moment, beautiful impermanence”
Setsuna (刹那) is derived from the Sanskrit word ksana, adopted into Japanese Buddhism to denote the shortest possible unit of time, a single instant. The name captures the Japanese aesthetic of mono no aware, the bittersweet awareness of impermanence. It is used for both boys and girls in modern Japan.
Sevan
“Dark water, black lake”
Sevan is a distinctive and melodious name drawn from one of the most beautiful natural landmarks in the ancient world, Lake Sevan in Armenia. Though rooted in Armenian culture, it has found use across English-speaking communities as a unisex name admired for its brevity and striking sound. The name carries a quiet, elemental quality tied to water and landscape.
Severn
“Ancient British river, boundary”
Severn is a strong and evocative English name tied to Britain's mightiest river, which flows 354 kilometres through Wales and England. It carries a sense of ancient landscape and enduring natural power, and has occasionally been used as a given name for both boys and girls in English-speaking families. The name also gained environmental resonance through Severn Cullis-Suzuki, who became a global symbol of youth activism.
Shachar
“Dawn, morning”
Shachar is a Hebrew name meaning dawn or morning, capturing the beauty and promise of the first light breaking over the horizon. It is a unisex name that has been embraced in modern Israel for its poetic simplicity. The name evokes renewal, hope and the beginning of something new.
Shadi
“Singer, joyful”
Shadi is an Arabic name meaning 'singer' or 'one who is joyful'. It evokes music, celebration, and a lightness of spirit, suggesting someone whose presence lifts the mood of those around them. The name works naturally for any gender and is used across the Arab world and among communities of Arabic-speaking heritage worldwide.
Shai
“Gift, present”
Shai comes from the Hebrew word shai, meaning gift or present. The word appears in the Hebrew Bible to describe offerings brought to God or to a great leader. As a given name it beautifully expresses the idea of a child as a precious gift, a sentiment universal to all parents. Short, distinctive, and warmly meaningful, Shai has been popular in Israel for both boys and girls and is finding growing favour internationally as its simple sound and profound meaning become more widely known.
Shaked
“Almond tree”
Shaked comes from the Hebrew word for almond tree, one of the most symbolically significant trees in Jewish tradition. The almond is the first tree to blossom in Israel, emerging in late winter as a sign that renewal is coming, which is why the Hebrew root 'sh-k-d' also carries the meaning of watchfulness and diligence. The menorah of the Tabernacle was crafted in the shape of an almond blossom, connecting Shaked to the heart of biblical worship and identity.
Shalev
“Peaceful, tranquil, serene”
Shalev is a modern Hebrew name meaning 'peaceful,' 'tranquil,' or 'serene,' derived from the root 'shalov,' which relates to a state of calm and contentment. It expresses the desire for a peaceful and harmonious life.
Sham
“The Levant, the north”
Sham primarily means 'the Levant' or 'Syria' in Arabic, referring to the blessed region of Greater Syria encompassing modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. It can also mean 'the north' or 'the left,' as the Levant lies to the north and left of the Arabian Peninsula when facing east. The name carries connotations of cultural richness, ancient civilisation, and spiritual significance.
Shams
“Sun”
Shams is the Arabic word for sun, one of the most powerful and universal symbols in human culture. In Arabic, the sun is feminine in grammatical gender, and Shams has historically been used as a given name for both women and men. It appears in compound names such as Shams ad-Din, meaning sun of the religion, a title of honour given to scholars and spiritual figures. As a standalone name, Shams radiates warmth, brilliance, and life-giving energy. It is a name that needs no elaboration: direct, luminous, and complete.
Shannon
“Old, ancient river”
Shannon takes its name from the River Shannon, Ireland's longest and most historically significant river, which flows through the heart of the country. The name is believed to derive from the Old Irish sen, meaning old or ancient, giving it a sense of timeless depth and endurance. In Irish mythology, the river itself is associated with Sionann, a goddess who drowned seeking the salmon of wisdom at Connla's Well, adding a layer of myth and mysticism to the name.
Shanti
“Peace, tranquillity”
Shanti means peace or tranquillity in Sanskrit. It is a profoundly spiritual name, often chanted three times in Hindu prayers for universal peace of mind, speech, and body. The word appears throughout the Upanishads and Vedic literature as an invocation of serenity and the cessation of suffering.
Shay
“Admirable, hawk-like brightness”
Shay is a lively, gender-neutral name that has been embraced across English-speaking cultures. It gained traction as a standalone name in the late 20th century, valued for its breezy, informal charm. Its phonetic simplicity makes it easy to pronounce and remember across different languages and dialects.
Shea
“Hawk-like, fine”
Shea derives from the Irish surname O'Seaghdha, meaning descendant of the hawk-like one or the fine, admirable one. The name combines qualities of sharpness and elegance, suggesting both the keen perception of a hawk and the refinement of a person of admirable character. Its smooth, one-syllable sound gives it a naturally confident and modern feel.
Shelby
“Willow farm on the ledge”
Shelby transitioned from an English surname to a given name in the 19th century and has been used for both males and females, though it leaned strongly female in American usage from the 1980s onward. It gained widespread recognition through popular culture, most notably in the film 'Steel Magnolias'. The name carries a warm, Southern American charm alongside its Norse heritage.
Shenghua
“Flourishing brilliance and splendour”
Shenghua (盛华) combines 盛 (shèng), meaning 'flourishing,' 'prosperous,' or 'magnificent,' with 华 (huá), meaning 'splendor,' 'brilliance,' or 'the finest of China.' Together the name evokes a life of vibrant prosperity and radiant brilliance, a fitting aspiration for any child.
Shenghui
“Sacred wisdom and insight”
Shenghui (圣慧) pairs 圣 (shèng), meaning 'sage,' 'holy,' or 'saintly,' with 慧 (huì), meaning 'wisdom,' 'intelligence,' or 'insight.' The name expresses the profound aspiration that the child will grow to possess both sacred moral character and exceptional intellectual wisdom.
Shenley
“Bright, beautiful woodland clearing”
Shenley is a rare and distinctive English given name rooted in the place name of villages in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. As a personal name it has remained uncommon, giving it a unique quality that appeals to parents seeking an authentically English name with historical roots. Its lyrical sound and evocative meaning connect it to the pastoral English landscape.
Sheridan
“Descendant of the seeker”
Sheridan began as an Irish surname that transitioned into use as a given name, particularly in the United States from the 19th century onward. It carries a distinguished, slightly aristocratic tone and is used for both boys and girls. The name evokes images of classic American frontier history as well as theatrical culture.
Shihan
“Poetic and elegant”
Shihan combines the character for poetry or poetic spirit with the character for elegant, vast, or cold clarity. The name suggests a person of literary accomplishment and refined sensibility, someone whose character has the measured, luminous quality of great poetry. It is a scholarly name with a contemplative, artistic atmosphere that appeals to families who value literary culture.
Shiki
“Four seasons”
The most common meaning of Shiki is the four seasons, written with the kanji for four and season. This reading celebrates the full cycle of nature's changes and the beauty found in every phase of life. Shiki can also be written with characters meaning ceremony or style, and with other combinations, offering families considerable creative choice in how the name's meaning is expressed.
Shiloh
“Peaceful, tranquil place”
Shiloh is a gender-neutral name with strong biblical roots that has been adopted into English usage. It gained widespread modern attention when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie named their daughter Shiloh in 2006. The name has a gentle, lyrical quality and evokes peace and serenity.
Shinobu
“to endure”
Shinobu is written with kanji such as 忍 (shinobu, to endure/persevere) or 偲 (shinobu, to yearn/remember fondly). The endurance reading carries profound cultural resonance in Japan, where the capacity to bear difficulty without complaint is considered a high virtue. The fern reading connects to the natural world, where the shinobu fern grows in cracks of rocks and walls, a small, tenacious plant that thrives against the odds.
Shion
“Aster flower”
Shion refers to the aster (Aster tataricus), a beautiful autumn-blooming wildflower with delicate star-shaped petals in shades of pale violet and lilac. The aster's name comes from the Greek word for star, and the Japanese shion carries that same celestial imagery. The name can also be written with kanji meaning purple garden, evoking the quiet beauty of late-season blooms. It is a gentle, image-rich name that belongs to the tradition of Japanese flower names.
Shiyu
“Poetry rain, lyrical and gentle”
Shiyu (诗雨) often pairs 诗 (shī), meaning 'poetry' or 'poem,' with 雨 (yǔ), meaning 'rain.' Together the name evokes the beauty of poetry falling like gentle rain, romantic, artistic, and filled with natural grace. Alternative characters such as 石宇 (shí yǔ, 'stone universe') can give the name a more masculine, grounded quality.
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