[name_m]Hi[/name_m]!
So I’ve been lingering around the name [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] for a while, but are not 100% sure about it. I like its uniqueness, soft-sounding, and how it kinda reminds me of a little elf. I do not think that it’s dated at all. I also love the nicknames [name_u]Josie[/name_u] and [name_u]Jojo[/name_u]. The problem is, I sometimes feel like it’s not feminine enough, and other times (rarely) just don’t like it at all because it’s a variation of the boy name [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] (I just don’t like girl names that are variations of boy names, not because that I don’t like the name [name_m]Joseph[/name_m]).
So, what do you guys think? Should I use it?
Also, sometimes I feel like it’s a tiny little bit dated.
[name_f]Josephine[/name_f] has a timeless classical sound to it. I think it is very feminine, and some might even put it into the “frilly” category. I think this name has aged quite well - I’ve met two [name_f]Josephine[/name_f]'s in their early twenties, and it didn’t strike me as odd at all. It’s not in the same realm as, say, [name_f]Beryl[/name_f] and [name_f]Edith[/name_f], which quite clearly sound like someone’s grandmother.
I know many people say that [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] is like a feminized version of [name_m]Joseph[/name_m], but I honestly don’t see it that way. I also think the name is very frilly and girly, so feminine? yes 100%!
It’s a very pretty timeless classic. But it’s a love/hate name. Some people will love it and same people will wrinkle their nose at it. Outside of Nameberry, I don’t think it has widespread appeal. So I would not use it if you feel lukewarm about it.
[name_f]Juliet[/name_f] or Juliettte is also in the same vein but is slightly more feminine sounding.
I personally do relate [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] back to [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] immediately, but I don’t think that stops it from being feminine. For example, [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f] is the feminine form of [name_m]Stephen[/name_m], but it is still a very clear feminine name. [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] nn [name_u]Josie[/name_u] is pretty and timeless.
I strongly associate [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] w/[name_u]Jo[/name_u] [name_u]March[/name_u] from [name_m]Little[/name_m] Woman, so I don’t find it to be frilly, but strong & feminine at the same time. I’ve known two Josephines who went by [name_u]Josie[/name_u], & I know of a little girl (probably about 5) who’s [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] (IDK if her family uses a nn for her). I really like the nicknames [name_f]Josey[/name_f] & [name_u]Jo[/name_u].
Definitely sticks out as particularly feminine to me, but still strong! Not a favorite of mine but still pretty