Feminizations of Male Names
- Giovanna
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of GiovanniDescription:
Like Galilea and Livia, one of the Italian names that fashionable American parents—with or without Italian roots—have started to choose for their daughters. It has endured ups and downs since entering the popularity charts in 1991.
- Eugenie
Origin:
French form of Eugenia, GreekMeaning:
"wellborn, noble"Description:
Eugenie enjoyed a major dusting off when Fergie and Prince Andrew chose it for their daughter, restoring a patina of royal sheen it hadn't had since the time of Napoleon III's glamorous empress--who spent much of her life in England. It was also borne by Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, after whom Prince Andrew's younger daughter was named.
- Claudette
Origin:
French, feminine variation of ClaudeMeaning:
"lame; enclosure"Description:
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 common "lame" meaning, some etymologists theorize that the name may relate to the word for enclosure or clause, an alternate meaning that may appeal to a child with a form of this otherwise-appealing name.
- Paula
Origin:
Feminine variation of PaulMeaning:
"small"Description:
Paula still seems somewhat stuck in the era of duo Paul and Paula bopping out the song "Hey, Paula." Two pronunciations are possible—the English "PAW-la" and the Portuguese "POW-la."
- Joelle
Origin:
Feminine variation of Joel, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah is his God"Description:
Joel is one of those boys’ names that's never been super-popular yet has never been UNpopular either -- it's been in the Top 400 in the US since we started keeping statistics in 1880. So it's inevitable that its female form Joelle would gain visibility too, and indeed Joelle was used most widely during Joel's reign in the Top 100, from the late 1960s through the early 1990s.
- Martina
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"warlike"Description:
Tennis-related name popular throughout Europe that's never caught fire here.
- Charlene
Origin:
Variation of Charlotte, feminine form of CharlesMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Charlene is a Charlotte variation that, along with similar names like Arlene and Marlene, spiked in popularity in the 1940s and fifties, reaching a high of Number 100 in 1949. Most parents today would prefer one of the note classic versions -- or even nickname Charlie.
- Fernanda
Origin:
Feminine variation of Fernando, Spanish and Portuguese version of German FerdinandMeaning:
"bold voyager"Description:
Fernanda is very popular in the Latino community, with a lot more charm than its male counterpart. The standard nickname is Nanda, and variations include Ferdinanda and Fernandina.
- Mattea
Origin:
Italian, from HebrewMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
This pretty, international feminization of Matthew was chosen by Mira Sorvino for her daughter, Mattea Angel. As the Spanish Mateo and the Italian Matteo become more popular for baby boys throughout Europe, the English-speaking world, and the Americas, Mattea is sure to get wider recognition. And as Theo and Thea have become fashionable names, Teo and Tea are rising too.
- Ludovica
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of LudovicMeaning:
"famous in war"Description:
This Olde World name with a large measure of European style makes an offbeat possibility for the bold baby namer in search of interesting Italian names for girls. Currently very popular in its native Italy, Ludovica is an unusual path to all the great Lu nicknames, like Lulu and Lula.
- Rafaela
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese version of Hebrew RaphaelaMeaning:
"God has healed"Description:
Spell it Rafaela (Spanish), Raffaella (Italian), Rafaela (German), or Raphaela (Hebrew), this is a euphonious and lovely name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image, which is, like Gabriella and Isabella, beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.
- Daniela
Origin:
Feminine form of Daniel used in various languagesMeaning:
"God is my judge"Description:
Used across Europe, South America, and the US, Daniela is a popular feminine form of the Hebrew name Daniel. It has ranked in the US Top 300 since the early 90s and it's currently on trend in Spain, Portugal, Chile, Mexico, and Lativia.
- Emmanuelle
Origin:
French, feminine variation of EmanuelMeaning:
"God is with us"Description:
The female version of Emanuel could become more prominent, though for some it still carries a steamy image dating back to a then sensationally erotic French film. Singer and Shameless star Emmy Rossum's full name is Emmanuelle.
- Frederica
Origin:
Feminine variation of FrederickMeaning:
"peaceful ruler,"Description:
Frederica is an interesting possibility for the parent unintimidated by its old-fashioned formality, and who can appreciate the vintage charm and verve lurking inside its stuffiness.
- Claudine
Origin:
French feminine variation of ClaudeDescription:
There are much chicer versions of this name today, such as Claudie, Claudia, or Claude itself. Claudine is a name wobbling on the edge of extinction.
- Thomasina
Origin:
English, feminine variation of ThomasDescription:
Though rarely used now that many parents would rather appropriate men's names than sweeten them with feminine endings, Thomasina does have some vintage appeal.
- Paulina
Origin:
Spanish, feminine variation of PaulMeaning:
"small"Description:
More stylish than either Paula or Pauline, it was given a glamour gloss by model Paulina Porizkova in the nineties.
- Milana
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"from Milan"Description:
This makes Milan sound like less of a place, more of a name.
- Faustine
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of FaustMeaning:
"fortunate one"Description:
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 fewer than five baby girls in the US last year.
- Alberta
Origin:
English, feminine variation of AlbertMeaning:
"noble, bright"Description:
This jazzy old name could make a comeback, the way Josephine and Ella have. In England the name was popularized by Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, after whom her governor general of Canada husband named the North American province. Jazz singer Alberta Hunter was a noted bearer.