Newport baby clothes company JoJo Maman Bébé suggests gender-neutral names for newborns - including River, Wren, and Albie

JoJo Maman Bébé, which has almost 100 stores across the UK, Ireland and the US, proposed the list of 18 names for parents to consider on its website.

The list includes more traditional names such as Max and Bailey, as well as some more unique choices, including Wren and River.

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The post on the company’s website reads: “Unisex names are more popular than ever – which could be because we’re breaking down gender boundaries or we’re just more likely to be set on a name before we find out whether we’re having a boy or a girl.

“This naming trend looks like it’s here to stay, and if you need a little inspiration for your next baby, look no further.”

The full list of names is:

RIVER: Although Rivers have traditionally been male, the name has gained a lot more popularity for girls in recent years. This a great name to choose for an easy-going baby who is destined to go with the flow.

GRAY: Calm and serene, Gray (or Grey) makes a change from the vibrant colour names usually reserved for girls, such as Violet and Scarlet. This soft and soothing name tends to be more popular as a middle name, but we think it makes a great first name too.

QUINN: Meaning ‘descendant of Conn’, Quinn is a unisex name of Irish origin. These days it’s slightly more popular with girls – perhaps Margot Robbie’s portrayal of supervillain Harley Quinn has something to do with it. Nonetheless, Celtic names never fail to strike the perfect balance of relaxed yet strong, and Quinn is no exception.

WREN: Despite being a small and delicate songbird, the wren was considered ‘king of the birds’ according to early folklore, giving the cute creature an air of hidden strength. We think babies called Wren will go on to do great things – just like Sir Christopher Wren, celebrated designer of St Paul’s Cathedral, Hampton Court and Kensington Palace.

ROWAN: With Scottish and Irish origins, the name Rowan means ‘little redhead’, making it a brilliant choice for babies with flame-coloured hair, or if you simply have a penchant for nature themed names. We think there’s something both strong and beautiful about the name, much like the rowan tree itself.

AVERY: Traditionally a boys’ name, Avery has grown in popularity as a girls’ name and makes an edgier alternative to the massively popular Ava. Avery comes from the Old English for ‘ruler of the elves’ – perhaps one to consider for a baby born around Christmas?

ROBIN: The name Robin makes a lovely name for a baby born in the winter months – or if your little one is destined to be a bit of a songbird.

AUBREY: Despite megastar Drake’s first name being Aubrey, the name is actually more popular with girls these days. Similar-sounding to Avery, it also has the same meaning – ‘ruler of the elves’.

REMI: Coming from the French word for oarsman, Remi makes a great choice for babies born by the sea or river, or for anyone who is a lover of French names. Unusual enough to make it stand out from a crowd, yet with a short and simple spelling, it is the perfect mix of the rare yet familiar.

EVELYN: The name Evelyn started out as a predominantly male name, with the most famous being writer Evelyn Waugh. Despite it being much more common as a female name nowadays, we love the vintage feel of it for either gender. Evelyn is of Old English origin and means ‘desired’, making it perfect for your little one.

MAX: Max may have started life as a shortened version of Maximillian, Maxwell or Maxine but it’s more than acceptable as a name in its own right these days. Although it’s gained a lot of popularity in recent years as a boys’ name, the girls are now getting a look in too.

INDIGO: Coming from the Greek word for ‘Indian dye’, Indigo conjures up images of an opulent, deep blue-purple hue, making the name ideal for vibrant personalities. According to 1970s New Age theory, children who are believed to possess special, unusual or even supernatural abilities are referred to as ‘indigo children’, giving the name a more mysterious depth.

ALBIE: A more modern variant of Albert, which means ‘from Scotland’, Albie isn’t only adorable for boys. This nickname form of the moniker removes the masculine element, making it ideal for girls too.

BAILEY: The name Bailey comes from the word bailiff, or law enforcer. Bailey offers a more jaunty, friendly version making it ideal for boys and girls. One can only hope a child called Bailey will grow up to be conscientious and well-behaved.

BLAIR: Blair shifted from being reserved mainly for boys to being completely acceptable for girls thanks to the iconic Gossip Girl character Blair Waldorf. Of Scottish origin, Blair means ‘dweller on the plain’, perfect for lovers of the outdoors.

JUDE: Although the typically male Jude is more often used as a shortened version of Judith when it comes to girls, it is becoming increasingly popular for both sexes as a name in its own right. It originates from the Latin word for ‘praised’.

TEDDY: Similar to names like Frankie and Billie, which are short, cute forms of boyish monikers, Teddy is becoming more popular as a girls’ name too. We love that traditionally boys’ names are becoming more usual for girls, helping to break down gender boundaries.

EVERLY: Originally a masculine name, we’re seeing more girls being given the name Everly – could the fact that Magic Mike star Channing Tatum chose it for his daughter have anything to do with it? The name has a very specific meaning – ‘wild boar in a woodland clearing’ – which we think is actually quite charming.