Names That Mean Feminine

Ulrica

Feminine form of Ulrich or Wulfric, Swedish, German

"rich and noble heritage; wolf ruler"

Ulrica has an Old World sound, but is perhaps enough like Erika and Annika that it could work today. Also spelled Ulrika, it was borne by a 18th century Swedish queen and Olympic ice hockey player,…

Urbana

Latin, feminine form of Urban

"of the city"

If you live in the city, you might call your urban baby Urbana; if you live in the suburbs--don't even think of Surbana.

Vanja

Scandinavian, feminine variation of Vanya

Russian Uncle Vanya becomes niece Vanja in Sweden: an intriguing switch.

Javiera

Spanish, feminine form of Javier, Spanish version of Xavier

"new house, bright"

Javiera, pronounced ha-vee-AIR-a, is not as well used as twin brother JAVIER, but makes an attractive Latina choice.

Xevera

Portuguese feminine variation of Severus, Latin

"stern"

An attractive, one-of-a-kind girl name with the covetable X initial.

Fernande

French, feminine variation of Ferdinand

A dark-haired femme fatale choice.

Severina

Latin, feminine variation of Severino

"stern, serious"

Not only stern and serious, but a little too severe.

Frederique

French feminine form of Frederic

"peace ruler"

Frederique, the soigne name of Dutch-born model Frederique Van der Wal, is a lot more sophisticated than the dated MONIQUE. Still, as feminine forms of the Fred names go, we prefer the Italian…

Faunia

Latin feminine variation of Faunus

"to befriend"

Faunia is more often rendered as Fauna, who was a Roman goddess of fertility, women and healing. Faunia was the downtrodden yet loving heroine of Philip Roth's Human Stain . Faunia and Fauna have…

Faustine

Latin, feminine variation of Faust

"fortunate one"

Faustine has a positive meaning, although the association with the character who sold his soul to the devil may be off-putting. This name is among the Top 100 girls' names in France, but was given to…

Timea

Hungarian feminine variation of Timaeus or invented name

"honor; good spirits, cheerful"

Familiar in Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Czechia, and Slovakia, but rare elsewhere, Timea is a name with several possible origins. Some suggest is was a literary invention, created by the writer Mór…

Senta

German feminine diminutive of Roman name Crescens

"to grow"

Senta is a lovely name, but if you name your daughter Senta, will the kids call her Santa? Maybe, but this obscure yet simple German name for girls .may appeal to parents searching the untraveled…

Enrica

Italian, feminine form of Enrico

Novel way to honor Grandpa Henry.

Sixtine

French feminine variation of Sixtus

"sixth-born"

While Sixtine is a name with ancient roots that's popular in modern-day France, it's hard to imagine it gaining hold in English-speaking lands, given its similarity to the number sixteen and its…

Bente

Danish feminine form of Benedict

"blessed"

Bente, pronounced ben-tah, is a popular girls' name in both The Netherlands and Denmark though largely unknown in the English-speaking world. It suffers by being a near-homonym of the English word…

Earla

English, feminine variation of Earl

If there's an ancestral Earl you want to honor, consider Early instead.

Dree

Diminutive of Andrea, feminine form of Andrew

"strong and manly"

This unique one-syllable name was added to the mix by Mariel Hemingway for her now grown model/actress daughter; it could make a distinctive middle name or Bree substitute.

Leopoldine

French feminine version of Leopold

"brave people"

A sophisticated girls' name for those attracted to Leona, Leonie and Leonore.

Shalailah

Possible feminine form of Shelal

"petition"

Shalailah is a soft name made most familiar by journalist Shalailah Medhora. Given the popularity of Layla and all her variants, Shalailah has potential for parents looking for something off the…

Johnet

Manx feminine variation of John

This feminine diminutive of John from the Isle of Man is also sometimes used as a variant of Judith. Still, we think it is as attractive as Thomasina or Jacoba -- that is, not very.