That extra feminine touch

  1. Alannah
    • Origin:

      Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "child"
    • Description:

      This form of Alannah was derived directly from the Gaelic term a leanbh, meaning "child." Though not as popular as the more traditional Alana spelling, it has consistently charted in the US since 2007. Alannah Myles is popularizing this spelling of Alana.
  2. Antonia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "from Antium"
    • Description:

      Antonia is stronger than most feminized boys’ names, reflecting the pioneer spirit of Willa Cather's classic novel My Antonia. Antonia is hovering near the bottom of the US popularity list, which may be an excellent reason for you to use it.
  3. Clementine
    • Origin:

      French feminine version of Clement, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "mild, merciful"
    • Description:

      Clementine is a Nameberry favorite that broke back into the US Top 1000 in 2014 after more than half a century off the list.
  4. Colette
    • Origin:

      French, short form of Nicole, feminine variation of Nicholas, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"
    • Description:

      Like the French author with whom the name is most closely associated, Colette is a chic and charming name that is being rediscovered. After disappearing for nearly 30 years, Colette rejoined the Top 1000 in 2012 at Number 659 and has continued to rise since then.
  5. Dava
    • Fiona
      • Origin:

        Scottish
      • Meaning:

        "white, fair"
      • Description:

        Fiona entered the American consciousness with the opening of the 1954 Broadway musical Brigadoon, but didn't come onto the U.S. popularity list until 1990.
    • Isabeau
      • Origin:

        French variation of Isabel
      • Meaning:

        "pledged to God"
      • Description:

        With Isabel getting so popular, parents are searching for new varieties of the name, and Isabeau is one that makes a lovely French twist.
    • Johanna
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        Johanna is the version of this name used in Holland, Germany, and Scandinavia. The extra h makes Johanna a slightly more dignified version of Joanna.
    • Julianna
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "youthful or sky father"
      • Description:

        Together with Julian, the name Juliana/Julianna derives from Julius, a Roman family name. Its origin is shrouded in history, but possible roots include Latin iuvenis, meaning "youthfu"; Greek ioulos, meaning "downy-bearded"; or Jovis, a form of Jupiter, which means "sky father".
    • Justine
      • Origin:

        French feminine variation of Justin
      • Meaning:

        "fair, righteous"
      • Description:

        Justine is a French name that's never reached the popularity we think it deserves. Like its far-more-common brother Justin, Justine is sleek, and sophisticated, but still user-friendly.
    • Josephine
      • Louisa
        • Origin:

          Latinate feminine variation of Louis
        • Meaning:

          "renowned warrior"
        • Description:

          Louisa, a quaint vintage name, is an example of the idea that these days, old-style girls’ names are more fashionable when they end with an a rather than with an e, as in Julie/Julia, Diane/Diana. So for the next generation, Louisa may rise again, especially with the growing popularity of other Lou/Lu-starting names, like Lucy and Luna. Louisa reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 45 year absence.
      • Maison
        • Origin:

          French word name
        • Meaning:

          "house"
        • Description:

          Mason with a French accent. Some parents may pick this spelling as an attempt to feminize or distinguish from trendy Mason.
      • Michaella
        • Paulina
          • Origin:

            Spanish, feminine variation of Paul
          • Meaning:

            "small"
          • Description:

            More stylish than either Paula or Pauline, it was given a glamour gloss by model Paulina Porizkova in the nineties.
        • Philippa
          • Origin:

            Greek, feminine variation of Philip
          • Meaning:

            "lover of horses"
          • Description:

            Philippa is a prime example of a boy's name adapted for girls that was common as crumpets in Cornwall, but rarely heard stateside. That was before the advent of royal sister-in-law Philippa Middleton, who goes by the lively nickname Pippa.
        • Rowena
          • Origin:

            Welsh
          • Meaning:

            "white spear or famous friend"
          • Description:

            A fabled storybook name via the heroine of Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe (1819), which featured a heroine called Rowena of Hargottstanstede, and also a Harry Potter name, as Rowena Ravenclaw, founder of one of the Hogwarts houses.. Rowena has some old-fashioned charm, though most modern parents seem to prefer Rowen. Pronunciation, however, is NOT like Rowen with an a at the end, but with a long e and an emphasis on the middle syllable. She was on the popularity list until 1963, several years in the Top 500.
        • Theodora
          • Origin:

            Feminine variation of Theodore, Greek
          • Meaning:

            "gift of God"
          • Description:

            Theodora is one of the most revival-worthy of the charmingly old-fashioned Victorian valentine names, softly evocative but still substantial, as is the reversed-syllable Dorothea.
        • Thomasina
          • Origin:

            English, feminine variation of Thomas
          • Description:

            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.
        • Willa
          • Origin:

            Feminine variation of William
          • Meaning:

            "resolute protection"
          • Description:

            Willa has become increasingly fashionable, with its combination of Willa (born Wilella) Cather-like pioneer strength and the graceful beauty of the willow tree.