Feminizations of Male Names

A name that sounded unthinkably priggish until it became attached to Domestic Goddess British TV chef Nigella Lawson (named for her father), who gave it a big dollop of glamour.

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

Raymonde is a feminine name of French origin, derived from the Germanic elements 'ragin' (counsel) and 'mund' (protection). It represents the female counterpart to Raymond. Particularly popular in French-speaking regions, Raymonde enjoyed its height of popularity in France during the early to mid-20th century. The name carries connotations of wisdom and guardianship, suggesting someone who offers both intelligent advice and protective care. While less common in English-speaking countries, Raymonde maintains an air of sophisticated French elegance that appeals to parents seeking a name with European flair. Its distinctive ending gives the traditionally masculine Raymond a gentle, feminine quality while preserving the strength of its meaning.

Feminine form of Armand, has an elegant charm.

Cyril has several attractive femaie forms, including the French Cyrielle as well as Cyrilla. The one downside of this unique name is that many English speakers will pronounce it like cereal, so you'll constantly be explaining, "No, it's siri-ELLE."

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

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

Charlotte is a Top 10 name now and Charlie is hugely popular for both girls and boys, along with Charlee, Charli, Charleigh, and Charley for girls. So why does Charla have none of this fashion power? Only five baby girls were named Charla in the US last year.

An unusual feminization of boy name Casper with a beautiful meaning and familiar nicknames Cassie, Cass and Perrie.

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.

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.

A feminized form of Melchior, the name of one of the Biblical Magi (or Three Wise Men) and therefore associated with Christmas.

A zippy feminine form of Joseph used in Slovenia and Croatia, based on the regional variant Jožef.

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

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.

This rare feminization of Christopher blends in the sounds of the popular Josephine and is certainly more unexpected than Christine or Christina. German artist Christophine Reinwald (sister of playwright Friedrich von Schiller) is one notable bearer, while writer Jean Rhys used the name for a character in her 1966 Jane Eyre retelling, Wide Sargasso Sea. In the Caribbean and the UK, Christophine is also the colloquial name for the chayote fruit, a type of gourd named as such in reference to Christopher Columbus.

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

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

A name that's more familiar in its male form, Placido, but this can be a similar-feeling alternative to Serena.

Jacobine is a rare -- no baby girls received the name in the US last year -- feminine form of the popular Jacob. But Jacobine has a quirky appeal. The Jacobins were a radical political club formed during the French revolution as well as an order of Dominican friars.