Names That Mean Feminine

Numeria was a feminine forename in ancient Rome, said to derive from Numeria, the goddess of childbirth.

A dark-haired femme fatale choice.

Rare and ethereal.

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.

One case where the English version -- Josephine -- is far preferable.

So many names sound better with a French accent, and Petronille is one of them -- it feels unusual in an elegant way. But in the US, you'd have to be adventurous to choose it.

Variation of Suhail.

Turning Paul or Paol -- whether it's as Paolo, Paolina, or even Paola -- instantly makes it more romantic and appealing.

Unlike Lachlan, this Scottish name for girls is likely to be mispronounced. Is that...LaChina?

Rarely used aristocratic name with ancient roots and less than appealing sound.

An ancient Roman name that hasn't found favor in the modern world.

Shalailah is a soft name made most familiar by journalist Shalailah Medhora. Given the popularity of Layla and all her variants, Shalailah has potential for parents looking for something off the beaten track.

This feminine diminutive of John from the Isle of Man is also sometimes used as a variant of Judith. Still, we think it is as attractive as Thomasina or Jacoba -- that is, not very.

Nice for a little girl born on Sunday.

If you're looking for an unusual Michaela alternative, try this Spanish route.

Familiar outside the Hispanic community through male opera singer Placido Domingo, this name has a calm, serene feeling.

You might be able to make this work if you pronounce it the sophisticated French way: zhil-bare.

Benedita is easy for an English speaker to pronounce yet sounds just uncommon enough to be intriguing. And with Benedict more in mainstream use, Benedita feels possible.