I could see it being used for a girl pretty easily. It worked for Carson McCullers... Maybe that's why I don't think it's so odd. I think I'd rather meet a female Carson than a male one.
I agree, I don't like Carson, but I find it more unappealing on a male. It's way more country-club, sweater-tied-around-shoulders prepster than even Carter; at least for a girl, it would just be kind of trendy.