Japanese High School Students’ Perceptions of the Gender-Neutral Naming Trend

Contemporary Japanese names feature a broader range of gender expression and show a growing popularity of gender-neutral choices—trends reflected in baby name rankings and frequently discussed in the media, especially on parenting websites. The present study explores this phenomenon from the perspective of young people, who encounter such names more frequently than older generations. Through a questionnaire survey of 635 senior high school students, we examine how names associated with varying degrees of masculinity and femininity are received by boys and girls, and how these perceptions vary depending on the gender of the name bearer. The findings suggest that Japanese youth are relatively open to gender-neutral names and those more commonly given to the opposite gender. Female students demonstrate greater openess to such names, while male students are less receptive. Familiarity with a name’s bearer significantly influences how “natural” the name feels for a specific gender. The tested names that deviate from gender stereotypes are viewed more positively on girls, but they are also well received on boys. These findings are contextualized within broader trends in social acceptance and gender fluidity in naming practices.