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Baby names

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Original poster

Female versions of male names

31 replies

bassingtonffrench · 27/03/2014 11:03

In an idle moment I was thinking if our expected boy turns out to be a girl, would I be prepared to use the female version of the male name we have chosen.

But in most of the examples I could think of, the female version is now far less popular than the male version e.g.

Louis is really popular, hardly any Louises these days
Loads of Maxs, not many Maxines
Michael still a current name, but Michelle isn't
Jack is everywhere, but Jacqueline isn't

An exception would be Olivia and Oliver, which are both very popular.

So, my question is, are female versions of male names less popular these days and if so why?

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WWOOWW · 27/03/2014 19:35

Shauna / Shaun - Sean

BlueChampagne · 27/03/2014 15:25

Alan / Alana

AFishCalledBarry · 27/03/2014 13:13

Erica isn't a female version of Eric. It's a type of heather and much nicer than Eric

fussychica · 27/03/2014 13:08

Robyn or Sidney.

Bumbershoot · 27/03/2014 13:03

Francesca! Frankie for short.

BlueChampagne · 27/03/2014 13:01

My great great aunt was Jamesina (Scottish again).

overthemill · 27/03/2014 12:59

Denis Denise

ivykaty44 · 27/03/2014 12:56

Hilary
Lauren
Leslie
Sam

Original poster
bassingtonffrench · 27/03/2014 12:51

ooo Erica is lovely

OP posts:
SolveAProblemLikeMaria · 27/03/2014 12:43

How about Veronica with Ronnie as a nn? Also Eric - Erin/Erica. Morgan?Jesse- Jessie?

Original poster
bassingtonffrench · 27/03/2014 12:39

Some really interesting examples here. I love Stephanie (Stevie), Nicola, Simone, Claudia

However, I think most the examples given prove that female versions of male names are deeply unpopular at the moment Samuel/Samantha is a particular good case in point I think! But there are some notable exceptions like Phillipa, Claudia, Georgia

I disagree with PP and I think Victor is much trendier than Victoria at the moment, though I admit I don't know the stats!

I didn't know that Florence was from Florent. I didn't know Florent was even a name.

Love the examples from the Outer Hebrides, well I don't actually love the names, but its very interesting culturally. I did meet a Davida once, but I think Donalda trumps that! forgive the pun.

OP posts:
drspouse · 27/03/2014 12:20

I know a couple of Louisas of primary school age, no Louise or Lois though.

I am not fond of names that may imply "we hoped you were going to be a boy". But it's your DC!

DrewsWife · 27/03/2014 12:17

I know a Roberta and an andrewina

MummyBeerest · 27/03/2014 12:16

What about Charlotte/Caroline? Fem versions of Charles?

AuntieStella · 27/03/2014 12:10

I think there are far more called Victoria than Victor.

And it depends on your generation - if you were born in the 1960s, you probably had 2 girls called Louise in every year, plus oodles more IHT it in the middle.

And there are quite a lot of others: Stephanie, Thea/Dora, Carla, Felicity, Harriet, Henrietta, Nicola, Robyn, Simone, Jessica, and of course, Justine

ClareaBear · 27/03/2014 12:08

Another I thought of is Jamie. I actually prefer this a girls' name! I also know a little Kendra who goes by Kenny. How about Alana/Alan? Christina also seems to be making a bit of a come back. I know a couple of little Chrissy's

Blueberrybaby · 27/03/2014 12:06

Claude / Claudia
Anthony / Antonia
Gabriel / Gabrielle/a
Stephen / Stephanie

ClareaBear · 27/03/2014 12:06

I love Philipa myself. Also a big fan of Andrea/Andi. what about a name that is a bit "out there" like Ryan for a girl? Sandra bullock's character in Gravity was Ryan and I actually grew to like it. Or Reese (witherspoon?) Cameron (Diaz) Bobbie, Billie? It's not exactly a "male" version but Bryony is fairly similar to Brian/

MyNameIsKenAdams · 27/03/2014 11:59

Louis and Lois

Alexander / Alexandra

Charlie / Charlotte

Samuel / Samantha

Daniel / Danielle

shoobidoo · 27/03/2014 11:57

No, I don't think they are any less popular. I know quite a few of these:

Alexandra (Alexander)
Georgina (George)
Josephine (Joseph)
Florence (Florent)
Clementine (Clement)

I quite like these..

Weegiemum · 27/03/2014 11:56

I lived in the Outer Hebrides for 10 years, where this sort of thing is common.

I'm a secondary teacher and taught girls called Thomasina, Murdina (from Murdo), Calumina, Donaldina, Donalda, Lewisina and Gordina.

Almost all of them chose to be called either Ina, Dene or Dina. The names are awful.

squoosh · 27/03/2014 11:51

Google and Googla, very zeitgeisty!

Original poster
bassingtonffrench · 27/03/2014 11:49

I know, but very googleable, no?!

OP posts:
squoosh · 27/03/2014 11:47

Yes Nigella's sisters were Thomasina and Horatia.

Nigella, Thomasina, Horatia.

Sounds as though they were just thrilled to have daughters.

ElviraPink · 27/03/2014 11:42

Jerry/Geraldine