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I think you've dreamt up a fabulous name! I'd pronounce it Rick-arr-dean (yes, with a prominent rolled R in the middle).

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Feminisations that I find "clunky" but particularly like are: Petronella, Derfla (Alfred backwards), Wilhelmina, Bernardine, Berengaria, Fabrizia, Fidelia, Hortensia, Laurencia, Nemesia, Pelagia, Theophania, Theodosia

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I've also met a Johnelle and a Benedicta

Richardene is so good though. I can see it being real and being used alongside Thomasina and Wilhelmina.

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I particularly like Wilhelmina, I used it as the name of a villain in my school fiction work and then being told by my mum that it was actually the name of her mum. Turns out that Grandma didn't like her name and prefered to be called Marion.

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I've grown to like the name Wilhelmina, even if it's clunky.

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Also I love your dream

Wilhelmina, Georgia and Georgina are my favorite feminizations of male names. I like Willadean better than Wilhelmina but I would love to meet a little Willadean or Wilhelmina.

I really dislike this name, but I find it palatable if pronounced in the French way. Then it becomes somewhat charming but it still looks masculine. Like a combination of Richard and Dean, almost.

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I do like some clunky feminine forms however.

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Alphonsine
Zephyrine
Yvette
Yvelise
Victorine
Maximilienne
Valeriane
Severine
Romée (a favourite)
Noelle
Clémence
Éliane
Jordana
Sophronia
Michelina (another favourite)

This message was edited 4/3/2025, 10:10 AM

Richardene actually works! I'm surprised and delighted.

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I prefer Tamsin to Thomasina (which an acquaintance used for a cat which she thought was a male and called it Thomas until it had kittens). I like Harriet very much indeed; much better than Harry, Henry, Harold ... . Philippa appeals to me more than Philip and Vickie/ Victoria more than Victor. Cecily is way better than Cecil. Stephanie is OK but I do prefer Stephen. Wouldn't call any of them clunky, though. I've not seen Jamesetta; Jamesina is better, but still not good. Georgina is the best fem version of George, but that doesn't make it good.

It has to be my favourite name of this type

Honestly, Richardene works for a woman born in the mid-20th century. I'd find it charming, though I don't think it would work in the modern day.

Ernestine
Thomasina
Geraldine

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I find Richardene appealingly clunky too.

I would read that book. Sounds amazing.

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Richardene is great, very satisfyingly clunky. Jamesina is probably my OG fave clunky feminization, but I also enjoy Adama and Adamina, Albertine, Alphonsine, Benedictine, Humbeline, Robertina, Ronalda, Donaldine, Ruperta, Jacobine, Christophine....

Honestly, I like the name Geraldine. Which is remarkably similar to the made-up Richardene, and yet I can't say that I love that one. Sorry to the woman in your dream.