Charlotte Bronte may have started the trend towards adapting names
established for one sex to use for the other with her heroine,
who was given the name Shirley, then a man's name only, because
her parents had hoped for a boy. Some names are still equally
acceptable for both sexes, sometimes with spelling variations
(Leslie/Lesley, Frances/Francis), others, like Shirley, have become
so well-established for girls that they are no longer really recognised
as boys' names.
| Carroll | Maryon | Stacey |
These girls' names all started life as male personal names or
diminutives.
| Aidan | Alexis | Billie |
| Billyjoe | Bobbi | Bobbyjoe |
| Carly | Dannii | Frankie |
| Glen | Harri | Henri |
| Hilary | Jackie | Jaime |
| Jamie | Jody | Jose |
| Joyce | Kelly | Lee |
| Leigh | Lindsay | Lyn |
| Meredith | Merle | Mickey |
| Nicky | Nikki | Patsy |
| Peta | Ricky | Rikki |
| Robin | Ronni | Shirley |
| Terri | Tommie | Toni |
| Tracy | Wyn |
| Revilo | Ronnoc | |
| Adnil | Azile | Cire |
| D'lorah | Marba | Ronaele |
| Senga | ||
This collection of names was compiled by Kate Monk and is ©1997, Kate Monk.
Copies may be made for personal use only.