7 replies to this topic

[KL703]

Hello fellow members (I'm an old timer back with a question)! I've been thinking about one of my favorite "boy" names for a girl: Ryan.

What do you think of the name? It's been a long favorite of mine for a boy, but I think it's really cute for a girl too.

Do you think that the gender confusion will be a major issue? I'm sure that since Ryan is much more common for boys there will probably be many times that people assume that she is a he without question based on the name without any other clues. I think that as long as you let them know her gender when they need to get it right and not let the minor mistakes (like when people who don't know her refer to as "he" or such) bother you it's not a big deal. The name will probably lead to a lot of "surprises" when others assume that she's a boy and then find out that she's a girl though.

ETA: The alternate spellings are not really my style (I think they will lead to more confusion with spelling/pronunciation).

[-TebowTime-]

Yes, Gender confusion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like Ryanne better for a girl. or Rheanne. Brianne and Deeanne are other nice names. Though Ryan for a girl isn't as bad as the name "Ethan Rhiannon" for a girl. People these days

[Wildflowerchild]

I LOVE the name Ryan for a girl. But, just like any other unisex name, it would definately need a feminine middle name to compliment it.

You could try different spellings...

Ryann
Ryen
Ryhan
Ryenn
Rian
Ryon

Hope I could help! (:

[Malligal]

I kind of prefer Ryan on a girl, and I actually know a girl named Ryan. Her middle name was Elizabeth (until she got married and dropped it). She was always super nice and a very cool person overall. Maybe that's why I like it better as a girl's name.

[Amsel]

I think Ryan is cute for a girl. I also don't mind unisex or masculine names for girls as long as they have a super feminine middle name. As for people who say there will be gender confusion: the confusion will be on paper, she's not going to have an identity crisis. I have had friends in school and growing up with names like Grayson, Courtlan, Cameron, Jordan, Corey, Finley, Devon, etc, and they were all well adjusted, normal girls. And as for the confusion on paper, when it comes to jobs, there has been research that women with masculine names have a chance at more success when it comes to legal or government jobs. She can just put her middle name on her resume.

[Starlight]

Ryan is most popular on a little boy, so people will most likely immediately assume that it is a boy! However if you give her a more feminine middle name, or [even though im not a fan of hyphened names this may work] if you named her Ryan-Lily, Ryan-Lee, Ryan-Jade, Ryan-Jane, Ryan-Rose etc... as a first name then people will realize that she is a little girl. Also you could try spelling it a more 'girly way' such as Ryanne and that may help. good luck!

[Katie-Nana]

I also like Ryan for a little girl. It is somewhat fresh and new on a girl where it is a bit boring/predictable for a boy. I agree with you about alternative spellings leading to confusion though I think the spelling Ryann isn't so bad. I also sort of like the idea of a compound first name like Ryan Grace if you like that sort of thing.

[Remy Hadley]

I kinda like it <3 I mean, I don't particularly like boys names on girls, but it's one of the couple I just like. And Rye is a pretty adorable nick name!

Changing the spelling in any way isn't necessary in my personal opinion cause spelling doesn't change how it sounds (unless it's something like Ryanne in which I'd pronounce it ry-ANNE, but that's a different story lol). Ryan is a nice spelling <3

There may be gender confusion, when seen just on paper. But if she went up to someone and said "Hey, my names Ryan." or something, I'm sure no one would get confused lol <3 unless she went out of her way to look masculine

~ Haddie