Updated October 2026
Across 15 pages
of 15
Hebrew
"the Lord is God"
A French name that's lost its chic.
French, feminine variation of Paul
This, the simplest French female version of Paul, was brought into the U. S. mix by novelist Paule Marshall, whose roots are in the West Indies.
Feminization of Jethro, Hebrew
"excellence"
Rare and ethereal.
Almost completely unknown in this country: an intriguing possibility.
English, Scottish, and Dutch feminization of Jacob, Hebrew
"supplanter"
Another, more feminine, female form of Jacob sometimes heard in Scotland.
Czech, feminine variation of Pavel
Distinctive Slavic choice.
Spanish
"rock"
Pedra has never caught on with anything like the popularity of its male counterpart, Pedro. The Greek Petra sounds a lot cleaner and more refined.
Hebrew, feminine variation of Jacob
Now that Jacob has been the top boys' name for several years, this may come to the fore, the way Michaela did after Michael's long reign at Number One. For now, it's one of the more unusual girl…
Roman and Italian feminine variation of Petronius
"yokel, woodpecker, stone"
Petronilla is an ancient saint's name that relates to the Roman family name Petronius, thought to mean yokel or woodpecker, though some connect it with Petra or Peter, meaning stone. With the…
French, feminine variation of Philippe
"lover of horses"
Philippine might be taken as an ethnic identification rather than a name in the U.S. Philippa would be more easily understood, though if you don't mind eternally correcting people, Philippine can…
French, feminine diminutive of Peter
Balletic, à la pirouette.
"tranquil, peaceful"
Familiar outside the Hispanic community through male opera singer Placido Domingo, this name has a calm, serene feeling.
Latin feminine variation of Horatio
Has the fusty charm of recently excavated ancient Roman male names like Augustus and Magnus, which might just appeal to the fearless baby namer.
Scottish, feminine variation of Ronald
Not even if your husband is named Ron.
Spanish, feminine variation of Salvador
Olde World Latin.
Irish Gaelic
"god is gracious"
More streamlined – and more authentic – than Shawna.
French, feminine variation of Severus; Latin
"stern"
This long-popular name in France sounds fresh, elegant and unusual here. Severine is the name of the most recent gorgeous James Bond Girl in the film Skyfall . Students of film history will associate…