Clunky and Eccentric Feminizations

Anselma

Anselma is the feminine form of Anselm, a name of Germanic origin derived from the elements "ans" (god) and "helm" (helmet, protection), meaning "protected by God" or "divine helmet." The name gained…

Antonina

Slavic, Italian and Nordic from Latin

"priceless"

Despite the popularity of Anthony and its masculine variants, female derivatives of its source – the Roman family name Antonius , of unknown meaning – have never caught on in the same way. Sister…

Apollonia

Feminine variation of Apollo, Greek mythology name

"destroyer, strength; father's light"

This name of a third-century Christian martyr has an romantic, appealing feel in the modern world. It first came to American attention via Prince's love interest in the film Purple Rain . It could…

Arkadina

Feminine variation of Arkady

"from Arcadia"

Arkadina was thrust into the limelight as one of the (many) middle names of Uma Thurman and Arpad Busson's little girl. The Slavic or Russian feminine form of Arkady, which is derived from the…

Arna

German, Sanskrit

"eagle; river"

Truly a cross-cultural name, with usage in Germany, Scandinavia, India, France, and Iceland.

Arthurine

Feminine form of Arthur, Celtic

"bear"

If you're looking for a girl's name that honors an ancestral Arthur, try Artis.

Augusta

Feminine variation of Augustus, Latin

"great, magnificent"

Augusta is a dignified name reminiscent of wealthy great-aunts and stately homes, but with the fashion for both August and Gus for boys, and the renewed interest in clunky classics like Gwendolyn and…

Augustina

Feminine variation of Augustus, Latin

"the exalted one"

Derived from the Ancient Roman family name, Augustinus, itself a form of Augustus, this elaborate form is less familiar than August and Augusta, but it has the flair of Georgiana and Evangelina.…

Baptista

Latin

"the baptized one"

Probably too evangelical for mass importation.

Basilia

Greek, feminine variation of Basil

Rare but attractive female form of Basil.

Benedicta

Latin

"blessed"

Saintly, and a Mother Superior to boot.

Benjamina

Hebrew

"daughter of the right hand"

The kind of feminized male name that never caught on.

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…