View Message

Of these, I like Aubrey best. I think it's handsome for a boy, though a little done for girls. I wouldn't use it IRL, but it's nice.

---

I hate the Asp- sound in Aspen. It hisses to me.

---

Ainsley reminds me of anus. I can't not think of anus when I hear it. So, it's a no.

---

Adair is a unisex name I would consider using IRL, for a boy.

I would use Aubrey. My inclination would be to use it for a boy, as would DH's which I think might be rather loaded with how heavily it has swung to the girl side lately.

---

Aspen is gorgeous and yet sounds like ass-pin so confusing.

---

Ainsley is pretty and it has grown on me tremendously over the years after meeting a couple little ones.

Aubrey: It's okay but I think it's overrated. But it is at least 10x better than Audrey.

---

Aspen: I like it, but not as much as a lot of other tree/plant names.

---

Ainsley: I like it, but I'm worried it could get too trendy (or already is?) because of the "ley" ending.

Aubrey: I like Audrey better
Aspen: it’s okay
Ainsley: I actually like this a lot. I might actually use it in real life.

Aubrey - Audrey’s trendier cousin (for a girl)
Aspen - a tree or place or a little snake-like (asp)
Ainsley - not sure about this one

---

If I had to use one, it would be Aubrey. It’s the most namey / nicest sounding of the bunch.
Avery is considered unisex although I love it for boys only. I think it’s very handsome. I can’t enjoy Ashley for a boy anymore because it was overused on girls.

This message was edited 5/8/2020, 7:03 PM

Aubrey - Okay. I much prefer Audrey, but that's not unisex so besides the point. Aubrey leans female, though surprisingly the only one I personally know in real life is a man in his 50s. I prefer this one of your three.

---

Aspen - Can't get past the -ass sound

---

Ainsley - I have never understood the appeal of Ainsley. It sounds whiny and just not at all pleasant.

---

If I had to use a unisex name starting with A I'd go with Avery, for both. Or maybe Alex (though I'd want to use Alexander/Alexandra as the full name).

---

ETA: I forgot about August! I'd absolutely use it on a boy and would consider it for a girl.

This message was edited 5/8/2020, 12:27 PM

I have about the same opinion on all three: they're just okay.

---

I know one Ainsley [10yo] and two Aubreys, one male, one female, both in their early twenties. I've never met an Aspen.

---

I would use any if it were important to SO, but I'd never suggest them myself. If I had to use a unisex A name, I might use Ariel or Arya for a girl, and Ashton for a boy :)

---

Edit: I also like Arden for either, which I forgot about!

This message was edited 5/8/2020, 11:37 AM

I’ve only known girls by these names. I would use Aspen. In fact, it was under consideration for our daughter.

Definitely Aubrey. I love it. Not as much as I love Audrey, but I thats the one I’d pick out of the three.

---

Aubrey Grace
Aubrey Isabelle
Aubrey Sophia
Aubrey Kate
Aubrey Nicole

---

Aspen is cute, but there’s no intuitive nickname, which I don’t like. At least, not one that’s appropriate, lol.

---

I hate Ainsley.

This message was edited 5/8/2020, 10:41 AM

Aspen is all vegetation and Ainsley is meh. Which leaves Aubrey. I like it for a boy, in a vague kind of way - I taught a boy once whose nn was Aubrey, and I can't think what his real name was. As far as I know, it hasn't been used for girls in South Africa yet; I've certainly never seen a reference to one. But, we don't keep the right kind of stats, so I dunno really.

---

IRL, I'd be more likely to use Auberon than Aubrey, for what that's worth!

Aubrey's nursery is grey and white chevrons. I guess it reminds me of Brianna, Greyson, Audrey, and I don't like any of those.
Aspen reminds me of asps and resorts. I don't really like any name with the asp sound. I'd rather be Cedar or Elm.
Ainsley is possibly my least favorite girls' name. It's like hearing nails on chalkboard. I've never even thought of it as masculine and don't want to.

---

I'd pick Aubrey. I think it's drab, but I don't hate it. If I was feeling more charitable, I'd call it understated.

---

Other unisex A names: Amal, Aruna, Artemis, Amedee, Autumn, Ariel, August, Arusha, Avery.

---

Today, I'd pick Artemis. I'd prefer Artemas or Artemisia, but I like both of those, and Artemis is an okay compromise for either.

This message was edited 5/8/2020, 1:27 PM

Aubrey is fine for a boy, and if I had to pick one of these names, it would be Aubrey. It sounds quietly aristocratic as a masculine name, but childish as a feminine name.
Aspen sounds very crisp, which I usually like in a name, but it makes me think of cough medicine for some indecipherable reason.
Ainsley sounds very silly and unintelligent to me, as well as slightly sticky, like a small child who covered itself with glue.

---

As I mentioned before, I'd use Aubrey for a boy with pressed, but I'd rather go with Arden.

I ranked them! btw, I think the only unisex one here is Aubrey; the other two are all girl to me.

---

1) Aspen - I LOVE aspen trees, which is why Aspen is my favorite of the bunch. I know a lot of people don't like the trendiness of it or the sound or what have you, but I personally love it!
2) Ainsley - Meh. Anna is way better, and a classic to boot!
3) Aubrey - I hate it for a boy bc Drake's real name, and even on a girl it's just okay. Avery is lovely, though!

---

So in conclusion, Aspen all the way!

This message was edited 5/8/2020, 9:02 AM

I don't really think of these as unisex, because except for Aubrey (and only because of Aubrey Beardsley) they've just never really been associated with any men or boys, and they all got very little use as first name till very recently.
I wouldn't choose any of them. Put a gun to my head and I might pick Aspen but I wouldn't be happy about it.
A unisex a name I would use would be Alexis.

I like Aubrey for a boy. I don't *love* it, but it's interesting. It has character.

---

Aspen I don't care for. It feels slick and pretentious. Aspen trees are gorgeous, though.

---

Ainsley makes me think of anus. I'm sorry to say it, but it's all I can think of.