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Beautiful, Chic French Names for Baby Girls

  1. Marietta

    • Origin:

      Italian diminutive of Maria

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

    • Description:

      Marietta would make for a classy and uncommon long form for cool nickname Etta.
  2. Laverne

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "springlike"

    • Description:

      Although it has a sweet meaning, this name feels dated nowadays, like a fifties poodle skirt. Lavender may be a fresher alternative.
  3. Maribel

    • Origin:

      English combination of Mary and Bel, or Spanish short form of María Isabel, "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + beautiful"

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + beautiful"

    • Description:

      This modern name gathers some steam from the wildly popular Isabel.
  4. Gisele

    • Description:

      The French variation of Giselle was made famous by the spectacular Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
  5. Sherry

    • Origin:

      Phonetic variation of French Cheri; also a Spanish fortified wine

    • Description:

      Peppy cheerleader name of the 1960s and 70s that's sure to evoke the Four Seasons song of that name.
  6. Brie

    • Origin:

      French, place-name of cheese-producing region, short form of Briana

    • Description:

      Place-name and homonym of Bree, less popular than its enlargement, Brielle or Brianna. Brie Larson is a notable bearer.
  7. Monique

    • Origin:

      French variation of Monica

    • Meaning:

      "advisor"

    • Description:

      The sort of oh-so-French name that's falling out of favor now.
  8. Silvie

    • Origin:

      Czech from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from the forest"

    • Description:

      The sweet Czech form of Sylvia.
  9. Rosemarie

    • Origin:

      Combination of Rose and Marie

    • Meaning:

      "rose flower + drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

    • Description:

      Rosemarie had its moment in the sun back in the middle of the last century, when parents were looking for new ways to recycle traditional family names. So a child might combine her two grandma's names and become Rosemarie (or Annmarie or Maryjean), but these combination names feel dated now.
  10. Brigitte

    • Origin:

      French variation of Brighid

    • Meaning:

      "strength or exalted one"

    • Description:

      Brigitte is the French version of the ancient Irish Brighid long associated with 1950s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot. If you want to pronounce Brigitte the French way, it's brih-ZHEET.
  11. Violette

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "purple"

    • Description:

      Now that Violet is becoming more popular, parents are starting to explore same-but-different options such as the French Violette, which would properly be pronounced with a long e sound in the first syllable and three syllables -- vee-oh-let -- as well as the Spanish Violeta — both of which were among the fastest-rising girl names of 2023.
  12. Minette

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "faithful defender"

    • Description:

      Frenchified name rarely used in France. And perhaps even more rarely used in the US -- there were NO baby girls given the name on the official records of 2021.
  13. Janine

    • Origin:

      French variation of Jane

    • Description:

      Has lost all trace of its French accent.
  14. Marcelle

    • Description:

      Marcelle is the feminine form of Marcel, a name with Latin origins derived from 'Marcellus,' a diminutive of Marcus meaning 'dedicated to Mars,' the Roman god of war. Popular in France and other French-speaking regions, Marcelle carries an elegant, classic quality. The name has historical significance, having been borne by several saints and notable figures throughout European history. While more common in previous generations, Marcelle has the timeless sophistication that could appeal to parents seeking a name with French flair and historical depth. The name balances femininity with strength, and its familiar sound pattern makes it accessible despite being relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries today. Marcelle offers the appeal of vintage names while maintaining a distinctive international character.

  15. Oriane

    • Origin:

      Latin via French

    • Meaning:

      "sunrise"

    • Description:

      A particularly beautiful member of the Orane/Oriana clan, Oriane is the first name of a major character in Proust's In Search Of Lost Time, the Duchesse de Guermantes.
  16. Jeanette

    • Origin:

      French, diminutive of Jeanne

    • Description:

      Relic of a past period of French favorites, out to pasture with Claudette and Paulette.
  17. Patrice

    • Origin:

      French variation of PATRICIA

    • Meaning:

      "noble"

    • Description:

      Patrice is a more modern-sounding and polished unisex alternative to Patricia.
  18. Calais

    • Origin:

      French place-name

    • Description:

      Undiscovered name of picturesque northern French port.
  19. Chanel

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "dweller near the canal"

    • Description:

      Fans of the classic French designer would now more fashionably choose Coco.
  20. Delancey

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "from Lancey"

    • Description:

      This is an energetic dance of an Irish surname, great for both genders. Could also be spelled Delancy.