Feminizations of Male Names

A feminization of Yonah, the Hebrew form of Jonah.

Ulrica has an Old World sound, but is perhaps enough like Erika and Annika that it could work today. Also spelled Ulrika, it was borne by a 18th century Swedish queen and Olympic ice hockey player, Ulrica Lindström.

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.

Balletic, à la pirouette.

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

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

Victorine is appealing if you know it's an authentic vintage French girls' name, less so if you assume it's an awkward feminization, ala Davette or Richardine.

Feminine form of Armand, has an elegant charm.

A dark-haired femme fatale choice.

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

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.

The usual female form of Xavier, Xaviera, is given to only a handful of baby girls in the US each year, and the Xeveria variation is even rarer, not recorded at all.

Variation of Suhail.

An epithet of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi — the personification of fertility, prosperity, and wealth.

Stavra is the female version of the classic Greek name Stavros, sometimes erroneously anglified as Stephanie (which means crown) or Stella (star).

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

Sebastiana is not often heard in the US, but as Sebastian in all its forms becomes more popular, so might this feminine version.

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.