Unconventional Feminizations of Male Names

Joelle

Feminine variation of Joel, Hebrew

"Jehovah is his God"

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…

Wilhelmina

German and Dutch, feminine variation of Wilhelm

"resolute protection"

Wilhelmina might once have been condemned as a clunky relic best left in the past, but a steadily increasing number of parents are dusting it off for their 21st century babies. A reasonably popular…

Elliotte

Feminine form of Elliot, Anglicization of Elijah or Elias, Hebrew

"Jehovah is God"

There's more than one reason why parents might consider this rising name for a daughter. George Eliot was the pen name of English writer Mary Ann Evans, one of the leading authors of the Victorian…

Manuela

Spanish, feminine variation of Emmanuel

"God is with us"

Manuela is one feminine form that's more energetic than the male original, and is worth considering if you're seeking an easily assimilated Spanish name. In the 1948 film The Pirate , set in the…

Philippa

Greek, feminine variation of Philip

"lover of horses"

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…

Simona

Simona is a feminine name of Italian and Eastern European origin, serving as the feminine form of Simon, which derives from the Hebrew name Shimon, meaning 'he has heard.' This elegant name has…

Emmanuelle

French, feminine variation of Emanuel

"God is with us"

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…

Mattea

Italian, from Hebrew

"gift of God"

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…

Lucienne

French feminine variation of Lucian

"light"

Lucienne is a soft and ultra-sophisticated French-accented option in the Lucy family, one that could provide a fresh alternative to such fatigued Gallic choices as Danielle and Michelle. So if you're…

Bruna

Italian

"brown"

Possibility for a dark-haired babe.

Lorenza

Laurencia, Laurenza, Lorencia

See LAURENZA.

Lysandra

Greek

"liberator"

This name is the feminization of mythological name Lysander, which is best known to English-speakers as a character in Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream .

Xaviera

Feminine variation of Xavier, Basque

"new house"

Xaviera is one of the most intriguing and rarest female forms of a male name. Only a handful of baby girls are named Xaviera in the US each year, compared with nearly 3500 baby boys named Xavier.…

Aidana

Aidana is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a feminine form of Aidan, a name of Irish origin meaning 'little fire' or 'fiery one.' Alternatively, it could be related to the…

Eugenie

French form of Eugenia, Greek

"wellborn, noble"

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…

Glenna

Irish

"glen"

Honoring a male relative. Be bold and go with Glenn.

Moselle

Hebrew

"drawn from the water"

Feminine spin on Moses and European river name that's also the name of a wine.

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…

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.

Brette

Brette is a feminine name of French origin, representing a feminine form of Brett, which derived from a Middle English surname meaning 'a Breton' or 'someone from Brittany.' The addition of the final…