French Word Names

  1. Terre
    • Origin:

      French word name
    • Meaning:

      "earth"
    • Description:

      An intriguing but challenging choice, because of possible confusion with all the Terry-type names.
  2. Deja
    • Description:

      Deja is a feminine name that gained popularity in the United States during the 1990s. The name is connected to the French phrase 'déjà vu,' meaning 'already seen' or suggesting something familiar or previously experienced. This gives the name an intriguing, somewhat mystical quality. Deja has a melodic, flowing sound with its two syllables and soft ending. The name peaked in usage during the late 1990s and early 2000s, partly influenced by R&B singer Deja Trimble (known professionally as Deja) and the growing appreciation for names with multicultural resonance. Deja appeals to parents seeking a name that's distinctive yet easily pronounced, with a touch of exotic flair while remaining accessible to English speakers.
  3. Solitaire
    • Origin:

      French, English
    • Meaning:

      "solitary, alone; a single jewel in a piece of jewelry"
    • Description:

      Derived from the French word for "alone", Solitaire could have potential as a bold word name, thanks to its use on a character in the James Bond franchise and its similarity to the names Sol, Solomon, and Salvatore. While some may be put off by the potential loneliness in the meaning, others might associate it with independence instead .
  4. Marée
    • Description:

      Marée is a feminine name with French origins, meaning 'tide' or 'sea tide.' This elegant, nature-inspired name reflects the rhythmic movement of ocean waters and carries associations with fluidity, strength, and natural beauty. The accent mark gives the name a distinctly French aesthetic and pronunciation (mah-RAY), adding sophistication and musical quality. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Marée has maintained modest usage in French-speaking regions. The name appeals to parents drawn to water imagery and French linguistic traditions. Its briefness and melodic sound make it both distinctive and graceful. Marée connects its bearer to the natural world, specifically to the powerful yet beautiful patterns of the sea.

  5. Janvier
    • Origin:

      French word name
    • Meaning:

      "January"
    • Description:

      Used in France as a male name, this would make an appealing and unusual choice, as would two other Gallic month names, Avril and Mai.
  6. Bonté
    • Description:

      Bonté is a feminine name of French origin meaning 'goodness' or 'kindness.' This virtue name directly embodies positive moral qualities, making it meaningful and aspirational. The accent mark gives the name a distinctive French flair and helps guide proper pronunciation. Though rare in English-speaking countries, Bonté carries an elegant, sophisticated quality that transcends language barriers. The name's direct connection to the concept of goodness makes it a powerful choice for parents wanting to instill positive values through naming. While uncommon globally, Bonté appeals to those seeking names with both beautiful sound patterns and substantive meaning, representing the virtues of compassion and generosity that transcend cultural boundaries.
  7. Bichette
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "little doe"
    • Description:

      Charming Gallic possibility but with some obvious playground problems.
  8. Samedi
    • Description:

      Samedi is a masculine name with Haitian Creole origins, famously associated with Baron Samedi, a loa (spirit) in Haitian Vodou who presides over death and resurrection. The name literally means 'Saturday' in French. It's an uncommon given name with strong cultural and mythological connections. In Haitian folklore, Baron Samedi is depicted as a formal figure dressed in funeral attire, often portrayed with a distinctive top hat, black tailcoat, and skull-like face. As a personal name, Samedi carries mystical connotations and a connection to Haitian cultural heritage. It remains rare outside Haiti and diaspora communities with connections to Haitian culture.
  9. Solitaire
    • Origin:

      French, English
    • Meaning:

      "solitary, alone; a single jewel in a piece of jewelry"
    • Description:

      Derived from the French word for "alone", Solitaire could have potential as a bold word name, thanks to its use on a character in the James Bond franchise and its similarity to the names Sol, Blair, and Adair. While some may be put off by the potential loneliness in the meaning, others might associate it with independence instead.
  10. Luciole
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "firefly"
    • Description:

      The French word for firefly has a lot of potential as a baby name, with its similarity to Lucille, the cute nickname Lucy, and the adorable animal meaning. A French bearer of this name is the singer Luciole, born Lucile Gérard.
  11. Armistice
    • Origin:

      French word name
    • Meaning:

      "truce, ceasefire"
    • Description:

      Armistice is an unusual word name with a meaning that's both militaristic and peaceful. It refers to a ceasefire, temporary or permanent, by agreement in wartime. Armistice Day in celebrated on the November 11th to commemorate the end of World War I.
  12. Aérien
    • Description:

      Aérien is a delicate feminine name with French origins, derived from the word 'aérien' meaning 'aerial' or 'of the air.' This ethereal name evokes qualities of lightness, freedom, and celestial beauty. The addition of the accent mark gives it an authentic French flair while creating a graceful appearance in written form. While uncommon even in French-speaking regions, Aérien appeals to parents seeking a name with poetic qualities and unusual elegance. Its connection to air and sky suggests someone with a free spirit, imagination, and perhaps artistic inclinations. The name's rarity makes it a distinctive choice that stands out while maintaining a soft, feminine quality. Its pronunciation (ah-ay-ree-EN) adds to its melodic charm.

  13. Ruban
    • Description:

      Ruban is a masculine name with multicultural origins. In French, 'ruban' means 'ribbon', giving the name an artistic, elegant quality. It also has roots in Indian traditions, particularly in Tamil, where it relates to gemstones or jewelry. Some connect it to a variation of Reuben, a Hebrew biblical name meaning 'behold, a son'. Ruban has never been extremely common in Western countries but enjoys modest usage in France, parts of Eastern Europe, and South Asian communities. The name carries connotations of refinement and uniqueness while remaining straightforward to pronounce in many languages. Its international versatility makes it appealing to multicultural families or those seeking a name with subtle sophistication.

  14. Bluette
    • Origin:

      French, English, Italian
    • Meaning:

      "little spark; a short, witty play, book, or piece of music; shade of blue"
    • Description:

      A word name in several languages, Bluette is an arty sounding and colorful name. In French, it comes from beluette, translating to "little spark". It can then refer to a brief flash, a trace of something, an unimportant thing, or a short, straight forward novel. In Italian, it is a shade of blue, somewhere between electric and sky blue, while in English, it is occasionally used to refer to a book, a play, or a piece of music that is short, but witty and brilliant.
  15. Merveille
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "marvel"
    • Description:

      The French word for marvel has a beautiful and elevated sound — pronounced "mair-VAY".
  16. Garance
    • Origin:

      French color and botanical name
    • Description:

      This botanical name, referring to the vivid deep red color and to the madder plant from which it derives, is almost unknown to English speakers. But it's been trending in France recently, reaching the Top 100.
  17. Mystique
    • Origin:

      French word name
    • Description:

      Better for a perfume.
  18. Delà
    • Description:

      Delà is a feminine name with a delicate, melodic quality, marked by its distinctive accent. It likely has Romance language origins, possibly French or Italian, where the accent indicates a specific pronunciation emphasis. The name may be a variation of Dela (without the accent) or could relate to place names or words meaning 'of the' in Romance languages. In some contexts, it might be connected to the Latin 'dela' meaning 'pleasant' or 'delightful.' Delà remains uncommon in most Western countries, giving it an air of exclusivity and sophistication. Its brevity and flowing sound make it appealing for parents seeking a feminine name that is both elegant and uncommon.

  19. Prune
    • Origin:

      Fruit name
    • Description:

      Prune is a fruit name loved by the French, for whom it's a Plum equivalent. In the U.S., Plum works, but Prune is not a name we'd want to inflict on a child. Prunella is slightly more plausible.
  20. Dieudonné
    • Origin:

      African, French
    • Meaning:

      "given by God"
    • Description:

      Predominantly used in French-speaking African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Cameroon, and Rwanda, Dieudonné combines the French words Dieu ("God") and donné ("given"), making this a spiritual choice. Also given to a handful of babies each year in the US, it is notably borne by Congolese footballer Dieudonné "Dieumerci" Mbokani.