Names That Mean Feminine

Apolline

French form of Apollonia, feminine variation of Apollo, Greek mythology name

"destroyer"

Apolline is a luscious French name chic in Paris -- it's a Top 100 name for baby girls in France -- and ripe for the plucking in the English-speaking world. Derived from the mythological name Apollo,…

Claudette

French, feminine variation of Claude

"lame; enclosure"

Once seen as a dated French Claudette-Colbert feminization, along with Annette and Paulette, we can see Claudette moving into a more plausible Colette-Cosette arena. While some may be put off by the…

Clemence

French feminine variation of Clement

"mild, merciful"

Calm, composed, and chic. Often seen with an accent in France, as Clémence.

Federica

Italian, feminine variation of Frederick, German

"peaceful ruler"

Federica is the Latin version of Frederica, one of those formerly stuffy female names -- think Josephine and Eleanor -- that feels fresh and elegant again. And Federica has more energy without that…

Giovana

Italian, feminine variation of Giovanni

This alternative spelling of the classic Italian name Giovanna is used in small numbers, but with the sharp rise of diminutives Gia and Gianna, it feels right in line.

Julienne

French from Latin

"youthful or sky father"

Fine in France, but here it means vegetables sliced into thin strips.

Michel

Spelling variation of Michele, feminine form of Michael, Hebrew

"who is like God"

Michel is usually the French form of Michael, where the feminine forms take an extra e and sometimes an extra l. While Michel and Michele are pronounced nearly identically by English speakers, using…

Willie

Diminutive of Wilhelmina or Willa, feminine forms of William, German

"resolute protection"

Willie is one of the adorable boyish nicknames newly fashionable for girls, rarer than Billie. It definitely makes the somewhat-fearsome Wilhelmina more fun and approachable. The -ie spelling…

Ambrosia

Latin, feminine form of Ambrose

"Immortal"

Ambrosia combines some of the more whimsical qualities of more popular Aurora and Isabella, with a heavenly meaning. In Greek mythology, Ambrosia was not a goddess or other figure but literally the…

Galina

Russian and Slavic feminine form of Galen, Greek

"calm, healer"

Commonly used in Russia, has an Old World Slavic feel. The original Galen can be used for girls as well as boys.

Giuseppina

Italian feminine variation of Joseph, Hebrew

"Jehovah increases"

One case where the English version -- Josephine -- is far preferable.

Jovana

Serbian and Macedonian feminine form of John, Hebrew

"God is gracious"

This Slavic variation would make a pleasant and slightly more unusual alternative to Johanna or Giovanna.

Paolina

Italian and Portuguese, feminine variation of Paul

"small"

Turning Paul or Paol -- whether it's as Paolo, Paolina, or even Paola -- instantly makes it more romantic and appealing.

Randa

English, feminine variation of Randall; also Arabic

"delicate desert tree"

Sounds incomplete, like a pet form of Miranda.

Raphaela

Hebrew, feminine variation of Raphael

"God has healed"

A euphonious and lovely name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image, Raphaela is, like Gabriella and Isabella, beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.

Tomasa

Spanish feminine form of Thomas, Aramaic

"twin"

A feminine form of Thomas, popular in Spain in the first half of the 20th century, it also ranked in the US Top 1000 in the 1920s. Parents may have been inspired by the Spanish Roman Catholic Nun,…

Jovita

Spanish, feminine variation of Jove, Roman king of the gods

Lively and joyful. Jovie could be a cute short form.

Raphaelle

French feminine variation of Raphael, Hebrew

"God has healed"

American baby girls are usually given an a-ending version of this name -- Rafaela, Raffaella, Raphaella and so forth. But the sleek, sophisticated Raphaelle? Not a single baby girl received that name…

Albie

Diminutive of Alba, Alberta or Albertine, feminine forms of Albert, German

"noble and bright"

Sweet old-school nickname name currently trending for boys in the UK, but could also be short for Alba, Alberta or Albertine. Part of a growing trend of using boyish nicknames for girls, Albie could…

Axelle

French feminine form of Axel

"father of peace"

Putting the emphasis on the "elle" softens a name that seems at once futuristic and medieval.