Feminizations of Male Names

Has the fusty charm of recently excavated ancient Roman male names like Augustus and Magnus, which might just appeal to the fearless baby namer.

The roles of vintage French girl names are filled with now-rare feminizations, such as Antonine. More usual forms today are Antonia or even Antoinette.

Feminine form of Armand, has an elegant charm.

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.

Jacobine is a rare -- no baby girls received the name in the US last year -- feminine form of the popular Jacob. But Jacobine has a quirky appeal. The Jacobins were a radical political club formed during the French revolution as well as an order of Dominican friars.

Sebastiane is not a common feminization but may become more so as Sebastian achieves international popularity.

Símonía is an Icelandic feminine form of the classic Simon, frillier than Simone but still slightly clunky, being a feminization. From its Hebrew origins, the name would mean "he has heard" while from its Greek roots, it can mean "flat-nosed".

Caspia is both a feminization of the rising star Caspian, and the name of a flower that often grows near the sea or on salt marshes. Likely derived from the Latin term Caspii, meaning "white", Caspia could make an unexpected full name for Cassie or perhaps an alternative to Juniper.

Norwegian feminine form of Tomas. Tomine currently ranks in the Norwegian Top 100 and is rising steadily. Its last period of modest popularity was towards the end of the 19th century.

An Italian feminization of Samuel that comes off as dated, we can't imagine many parents choosing Samuela over Samantha.

A unique relative of Zoe via the Ancient Greek name Zoilos, borne by a 4th century BC cynic philosopher.

Spelled Alastríona in its native language, this Irish cousin of Alexandra is little-known but fairly intuitive.

Nicandra is the name of a plant known as apple-of-peru and also shoo-fly plant. It's also the feminine form of Nicander, an ancient Greek poet, physician, and grammarian.

A name that sounded unthinkably priggish until it became attached to Domestic Goddess British TV chef Nigella Lawson (named for her father), who gave it a big dollop of glamour.

An outdated feminine form of David sometimes heard in the UK, though Davina is more usual..

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 resurgence of so many ancient Roman names, the elaborate and pretty Petronilla or its French form Petronille seem more usable these days than they have in centuries.

An unusual feminization of boy name Casper with a beautiful meaning and familiar nicknames Cassie, Cass and Perrie.

Although Thaddeus has long been used in this country, Thaddea is almost unknown and, with its air of mystery, could make a distinctive choice.

A name that's more familiar in its male form, Placido, but this can be a similar-feeling alternative to Serena.

Xaverie is a feminine name derived from Xavier, which itself comes from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning 'the new house.' Most famously associated with St. Francis Xavier, the 16th-century missionary, the name carries religious significance for many Catholic families.