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By cross gender names I suppose this could include so-called unisex names which are more often associated with both genders, but what I really am curious about is using more common boys names on girls, and girls names on boys. For instance Michael on a girl and Autumn on a boy kind of thing.
Although this seems to be more common for boys names to be used on girls, as a guy named Chelsea I've found a handful of other male Chelsea's on the net, so it's a name not really in common enough usage to be considered unisex and yet enough parents seem to find it usable for a boy that it isn't completely unique either.
And out of interest, maybe you could mention here if you have known of any male Chelsea's or similar spelling variants too.
Sometimes they can be a burden to the child. Yes, kids will find something to tease other kids about. If it's not your name it's the fact that you have curly hair or freckles. But it's always a shame to figure out on the first day of school that you've seated a lone boy at the girls' table, or vice versa. Of course the teacher can do a hasty reshuffling of name tags, but you have to know that happens to that poor kid everywhere they go. Having an odd name myself, I can sympathize. Sometimes you have to wonder if you're really doing a selfish thing in your desire to name a child something "unique." They're the one who has to live with it.
I think it's just part of the evolution of names. It's been fairly common for what were "boy" names to become unisex, and then eventually typically "girl." I can't think of many examples where it's evolved the other way. I don't think it's a big deal, at least for girls; girls can pretty much use any name without it being considered too weird (just like they can wear pretty much any kind of clothes, while boys are far more restricted). A very solidly classic boy-only name could be weirder (like Andrew or something), but for most "boy" names it's probably fair game. I have an unusual and unisex name (although of the few people I've encountered with the same name there seem to be a slight girl tilt) and it never bothered me. Sometimes I get annoyed with letters addressed to "Mr.", but it's not a big deal.
I haven't met any male Chelseas, but then I don't know many girl Chelseas, either. Given the popularity of place names lately, I suppose some parents consider it another unisex place name. Or are really into soccer! I can see it working for both. To me, it sounds sufficiently unisex.
This is nothing new. Names such as Alexis, Ashley, Beverly, Evelyn, Hilary, Jocelyn, Kelly, Lesley, Lynn, Meredith, Shirley, Shannon, Sharon, Vivian (can't remember the others) all started out as predominantly male names.
Personally, I wouldn't name a boy something that could sound feminine, but I don't mind when a girl has a more boyish name. :-)
I 100% agree.
Whichever gender, I like strong names with little flourish. Kinda no-nonsense.
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I actually like it better for a girl than a boy now. Much to my sons dismay.
