See the results of this poll: Name + Nickname
Respondents: 58 (This poll is closed)
- Maslyn Josephine (Mazzy Jo) : 24 (41%)
- Remy Josephine (Remy Jo): 34 (59%)
I voted for Rémy [name]Josephine[/name] for two reasons: (1) Rémy goes better with [name]Esmae[/name] and (2) Maslyn looks made up with the trendy “y” stuck in there and I don’t find it particularly French like the name Rémy.
Of the two [name]Remy[/name] [name]Josephine[/name]but I am conflicted because Rémy is so masculine. I don’t believe Maslin is a French name and cannot find any INSEE data for it (INSEE is like our SSI index) . Apparently Maslin means Olive in Romanian? I’m not sure but that’s all I get from a Google search and I’m unfamiliar with that language. Should also point out Maslin is not a French word either though you might be interested in this the Middle French word mesteillon, is about as close as it gets. I LOVE Josephine though and think it’s a great choice!
Rémy has a very interesting origins, in [name]France[/name] the most commonly accepted meaning is rower as in oarsman based on the Latin word Remigius, this is the closer explanation for St. Rémi’s name. However like your explanation says, if it is based on the Rèmes who settled the Reims area during the Gallic wars then it has Celtic and Germanic roots that mean “first”, and possible “oldest”.
If you are French can you share your sources so I can learn more about these names and add them to my list for research!?
Edit: After some searches for the Old French word for twin “Jumeau”, I found that it stems from “Gemeau” which is not surprising. I do not think Maslin is related but it is nice sounding, especially if it means Olive in Romanian. Would still like to know where you found the name in case I’m wrong 
I don’t really like either but I voted for Maslyn because [name]Remy[/name] is favourite boy’s name of mine and I don’t like it on a girl at all.
I think both names sound way better without [name]Jo[/name] at the end. Mazzy and [name]Remy[/name] really don’t need [name]Jo[/name]. Like really.
Agent 99. Here is one description that I found that might interest you. Spelled Maslin it is used as a boys name in [name]France[/name], meaning little twin or little [name]Thomas[/name]. We would therefore spell it Maslyn instead in order to feminize it. I don’t want the name to look too trendy or made up though so that may be a problem. Maslin - Meaning of Maslin, What does Maslin mean?
@jbriggs I’m sorry to say but Maslin in any form is not a name used in [name]France[/name], I can’t find any INSEE data for it and it’s not in any database or French forums that I post in. I wouldn’t trust that site, I’ve noticed that many English speaking sites post names like [name]Brielle[/name] and apparently Maslin that are not actually French. 
Edit: Thomasine is the female variant of Thomas so maybe that would be a good choice if you like the meaning?
Interesting thread. Based on agent99’s findings, I will have to go with Rémy Josephine, though I do think of it as a masculine name. I agree that the Jo in “Rémy Jo” kind of diminishes the beauty of the name, making it even more masculine. There’s also Marceline, the feminization of Marcel, which comes from a saint’s name. It’s not too far from Maslyn. I also found Amice (“Ah-mees”) a Medieval name, the masculine form of which is Amis. Apparently there’s a medieval French poem ‘Amis and Amiles’, about two friends who make sacrifices for one another.
If you’re liking that “twin” meaning: Linnea is a botanical name… after Carl Linnaeus, and the flower Linnea is also known as “twinflower.” But not so French.
Artemis and Apollo were twins. Maybe Apolline?
Thomasina is another nice option. Maybe Thomasina Josette?
I think Capucine is pretty wonderful, and has a friendly sound. It means nasturtium (the spicy edible orange flowers growing in Monet’s garden.) Again, with the -ine ending, you might want to do Josette instead of Josephine.
Claudette? Zelie? Anaïs (Annie-Jo?)
Interesting thread! I love French names and the name [name]Esme[/name] in particular. Regarding your two choices, [name]Remy[/name] sounds too similar to [name]Esmae[/name] to my ears, and also very masculine. Maslin is listed in several of my name books as a boys’ name, with a French origin, meaning ‘little [name]Thomas[/name]’, so it’s interesting to hear Agent99’s comments. Tracking the derivations of names gets harder every day!
Yes I’m hoping someone can find out more about Maslin in case I’m wrong, I would love to know the etymology and origins!
I found this entry for the surname Maslin on a site that’s interesting:
[i]Recorded in several forms as shown below, this interesting and uncommon name is English, but of old French medieval origins, of which it has two possible interpretations. Firstly, it may be from the given name “Masselin”, which was an old French diminutive form of old Germanic names with the first element “mathal”, meaning speech or counsel. Later, “Masselin” was also used as a diminutive of the given name “[name]Matthew[/name]”, from the hebrew “matityahu”, “gift of God”, while the feminine form “Mazelina” was a diminutive of “[name]Matilda[/name]”, an old Germanic compound of “maht”, might, strength, with “hildi”, battle, strife. Secondly, the modern surname, found as Maslin, Maslen, Masling, may be a metonymic occupational name for a maker and seller of wooden bowls, derived from the Middle English and old French “maselin”, bowl or goblet of maple wood, a diminutive of “masere”, maple wood. The marriage of [name]William[/name] Maslin and [name]Mary[/name] [name]Hammond[/name] was recorded at St. [name]Bartholomew[/name] the Less, [name]London[/name] on February 15th 1647, and [name]Thomas[/name] Maslen at St [name]Mary[/name] Whitechapel, Stepney, on [name]July[/name] 1st 1794. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of [name]Richard[/name] Mazelin. This was dated 1168, in the register of the abbey of St. [name]Benet[/name] of Holme, in the county of [name]Norfolk[/name], during the reign of [name]King[/name] [name]Henry[/name] 11nd of [name]England[/name], 1154 - 1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In [name]England[/name] this was sometimes known as the [name]Poll[/name] Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to “develop” often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
[name]Read[/name] more: Surname Database: Maslin Last Name Origin
Edit: I stand corrected about some info about the use of Maslin! it has been used as a surname 98 times in [name]France[/name], I’m looking for other meanings besides what I posted above.
Should probably have pointed out that I’ve been sick and cold meds might be affecting my posting so please excuse any nonsense or stupidity lol @ashthedreamer usually has some good info on French names, maybe she can help find the answer
I may stand corrected about some info about the use of Maslin! it has been used as a surname 98 times in [name]France[/name], I’m looking for other meanings besides what I posted above about it being an English name derived from French.
So now that the French background has been somewhat confirmed. Opinions on feminizing Maslin to Maslyn? I think it’s lovely. I find it unusual sounding and yet familiar somehow. Plus I love that is has the same Z sounding S as [name]Esmae[/name]. I just don’t want it to look tacky or made-up. Thoughts???
What about [name]Mazarine[/name] [name]Joelle[/name] as a way to Mazzy?
I voted for Maslyn. It’s very pretty. [name]Remy[/name] is all boy to me.
Thanks for the suggestion, tk but I’m not a fan of [name]Mazarine[/name] or [name]Joelle[/name].
Nice to have your vote in favor of Maslyn, jersey_grey. I think it’s so pretty too and I appreciate hearing your opinion since no one else seems to like it all that much.
Maslyn isn’t French in the slightest. The closest name I found was Maslen, form of [name]Matilda[/name] used in medieval [name]England[/name]. It’s not the ugliest name in the world, but if you really like it I don’t think you need to keep looking for dubious etymologies and a pseudo-French origin. [name]Just[/name] use it and be honest - you like it because of how it looks and sounds!
I think Mazzy could work for any “M” name you like (you can even pick a French one), especially if you combine it with a" second name.
- [name]Esmae[/name] and [name]Madelyn[/name] [name]Josephine[/name] / [name]Madelyn[/name] [name]Zoe[/name] [name]Josephine[/name]
- [name]Esmae[/name] and [name]Mabyn[/name] [name]Josephine[/name] / [name]Mabyn[/name] [name]Zoe[/name] [name]Josephine[/name]
- [name]Esmae[/name] and [name]Maia[/name] [name]Josephine[/name] / [name]Maia[/name] [name]Zoe[/name] [name]Josephine[/name]
- [name]Esmae[/name] and [name]Maia[/name] Zephryine “Mazzy” …
Rémy is an authentic French name, but a (very) masculine one. Using it on a girl is a contradiction at best - imagine me saying, “my daughter is called [name]John[/name], a lovely English name!”… Spelling it [name]Remie[/name] or [name]Remi[/name] (which is a genuinely feminine name, albeit in Japanese) make it more acceptable to me.
I have to somewhat agree with Sugarplumfairy the name really can’t be considered anymore French than it could be Germanic, I would consider it English as the entry I stated says, non-French Surnames are not unheard of in [name]France[/name] and it’s definitely not a first name. I also think if you like it you should go ahead and use it.