Is Addison A Unixex name?

Question

I posted a question a couple days ago looking for an unique middle name to go with Addison (girl). I received a response saying Addison means SON of Adam and it's not unisex.I read in a book that Addison meant CHILD of Adam. I am just wondering how many people believe Addison works just a well for a girl as it does a boy.

Answer 1

Addison literally means "son of Adam," that person was correct. Nearly all names ending in -son -- short of Alison --have a masculine "son of" meaning.

Generally, they evolved as surnames/given names meant to indicate the child's paternity. Just like Celtic surnames such as McEgan (son of Egan), MacCoinnich (son of Coinneach ... Anglicized to the currently-familiar Mackenzie), etc.

Addison is basically just a form of Adamson that changed over time. As Addy was a common nickname for Adam, Addison became a common variant.

As such, Addison CANNOT become a truly unisex name. It's literal -- and obvious -- meaning and entire history up until now is strictly masculine. Certainly, a random baby name book seeking to sell more copies (likely even touting a large number of names right in the title -- always a selling point LOL) will alter the meaning at will to please parents who want to see such options with more palatable meanings, but that doesn't make it correct.

That's fine if you tend to prefer more masculine names for girls. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But don't go into it blindly and then get offended or defensive if someone ever mentions the actual meaning, because it is inherently masculine. If you still love the name, by all means use it. But be aware that there is a difference between a classically unisex name and a masculine choice currently trendy for girls (or even a masculine choice not at all common for girls! Addison just happens to be very popular at the moment, so I don't want to mislead you). ;)

Hope that helps clear it up!

Answer 2

There are many names that go back and forth being male or female. For instance Beverly was a male name a long time ago. I can't imagine anyone naming their boy Beverly now a days..

Addison is one of those either - The meaning of names isn't all that important unless we dewl on it.

If someone questions the name (which I doubt because it is mostly used for girls now) Just say that meanings change over the years. And that if it does mean Adam.....say that you consider it as meaning the first human. And if they don't agree.......don't continue the conversation.

It is a wonderful name........go for it.

Answer 3

Altough Addison does technically mean son of Adam it is still a unisex name.
I personally LOVE the name addison for a girl.

Answer 4

I think it works for a boy or girl, I used to work in a daycare and there was a little boy that went there whose name was addison but then i met a woman whose daughters name was addison. People just try to be mean for whatever reason.

Answer 5

Same thing goes with Edison (son of Edward). That's the beauty of a language. Addison is a name meant for boy, too masculine. I think a girl's name should be softer and sweeter, similar to Addison, we have Allison, Alison, Allyson or Alyson.

Answer 6

I've heard it used for boys & girls. I say if you like it go for it. As for the name of Addison, it is also the FEMALE character on Grey's Anatomy (and now Private Practice). I've also knew a boy named Addison James. So it is definately a unisex name!

Answer 7

I think Addison is a unisex name, and I actually like it better for a girl, for a middle name how about Charlotte... Addison Charlotte...

Answer 8

It works, but she'll probably end up being called Addie, plus there will be a couple of million Addisons her same age because of the character on Grey's Anatomy.

Answer 9

I love the name Addison and I would use it for a boy or a girl.

Answer 10

Ironically, I have 2 friends who both have kids. One is a boy, one is a girl. Both are named Addison. Both names seem to fit both kids. I don't think it matters. I prefer Addison for a girl rather than a boy.