French Names

This spelling makes a dated name slighly more modern.

Renae

While this name is predominantly masculine in France, Belgium, Canada, and French-speaking Africa, in Latin America, it is more often chosen as a feminine name. A diminutive of Vivian, transferred from the surname of Jean-Marie Vianney, the patron saint of priests, it is traditionally pronounced as VYA-NEH in French, while among Spanish speakers, bya-NAY and vya-NAY may be heard.
 
Ultimately from the Latin vivus, Vianney has a lively and spirited meaning, and has been notably borne by activist and laywer. Vianney Sierralta and Paralympic swimmer, Vianney Trejo. 
 
Vianey is an alternative spelling.

Vianney

A royal, European name, and a relation of Rayner and Ragnar, Rainier is also associated with the majestic mountain in Washington state. Traditionally pronounced as REH-NYEH in French and as ray-NEER in American English, this name also coincides with a word indicating increasingly wet weather. 
 
Given to 35 boys in the US in recent year, it ranked slightly above Rayner but below Ragnar.

Rainier

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

Monique

A jaunty offshoot of Sullivan, Sully will be associated by kids with the beloved character in the Pixar animated film Monsters, Inc. Some notable real-life namesakes are French poet and essayist Sully Prudhomme, the heroic pilot "Sully" Sullenberger, and Sully Erna, lead vocalist of Godsmack.

Sully

Elaboration of Rachel sometimes seen in France, but more rarely here. 

Rachelle

Depending on your cultural references, you may think of Phantom of the Opera author Gaston Leroux, or the macho villain of Beauty and the Beast. While he's hardly a role model (unless you too use antlers in all of your decorating), his name was likely chosen because it's a classic in France. It's been used there since the middle ages, partly in honor of the Frankish bishop St Gaston. It went out of style in France mid-century, but now it's having a revival, entering the Top 300 in 2017.

Gaston

The Rhone (or Rhône) river flows through southeastern France, and could make a strong and picturesque name for a baby boy. The root of the river's name is believed to be a Proto-Indo-European word meaning "to flow".
 
It may additionally be considered an Anglicization of Roan, a Frisian name meaning "raven". Opting for this spelling could help get you to a single syllable pronunciation of the name, over a sound-alike to popular Rowan.
 
A small but growing number of babies have received the name since it first appeared in the US stats back in 2004, with 28 boys and 8 girls called Rhone in a recent year.

Rhone

Luc is the sleeker Gallic cousin of Luke, and if you want to know the difference between their pronunciations, just watch Kevin Kline's hilarious description in the film French Kiss. Peter Gabriel and Sean Patrick Thomas picked this version for their sons.

Originally a nickname for someone who loved to sing or whistle, Merle is sleek but gentle, with a hint of great grandpa about it..

Merle

Sounds like a princess -- or an enticingly evil witch -- in a fairy tale. 

Allura

In the past this was seen as a jokey Southern colonel name, but we have heard of some parents considering it as a path to the likeable Beau. 

Beauregard

Strongly connected to Elie Wiesel — Holocaust survivor, Nobel laureate, and author of the influential book Night.

Elie

A powerful name with an intriguing air of antiquity, Zenaida has the freshness of Zephyr and Azalea too. Meaning "life of Zeus" or "dedicated to Zeus", it was notably borne by the first-century saint, Zenaida of Tarsus. She and her sister Philonella, were physicians, particularly interested in experimental medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatric disorders.
 
Appearing as Zinaida in Russia, Lithuania, the Ukraine and Belarus and as Zénaïde in French, this form is used predominantly among Spanish and English speakers. The pronunciation of the name may also vary depending on where it's used, and it may be heard as zeh-NAY-duh, zeh-NYE-duh, zeh-naa-EE-duh, and sen-EYE-da.
 
A second meaning of the name is "white winged dove", owing to its connection to Zenaida doves, names by French naturalist Charles Lucien Bonaparte for his wife, Zénaïde Laetitia Julie Bonaparte.

Zenaida

Delphine is a sleek, chic French name with two nature associations — the dolphin and the delphinium, a bluebell-like flower, a well as a link to the ancient city of Delphi, which the Greeks believed to be the womb of the earth. All of these derive from the Greek word delphus "womb". 
 
Delphine was very popular in France from the 1960s to the 1980s, peaking at Number 6 in 1977-78. In the US, its peak came earlier — in 1930, when it reached Number 427. Today, Delphine is absent from the Top 1000 entirely but retains its French flair, making it an even fresher alternative to stylish vintage names like Daphne and Josephine. Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas have a daughter named Delphine, which may revive the name among Americans.
 
Balzac used the name in two of his novels, and Madame de Stael wrote the 1802 epistolary Delphine, which helped bring the name into fashion in France. Delphine Seyrig was a renowned French movie actress.
 
The attractive Spanish version is Delfina.

Delphine

In the US, this spelling is less common than mid-century favorite Jeffrey, and it has faded from popularity faster. This more British spelling is the usual form for historical figures like Geoffrey Chaucer and the Welsh historian Geoffrey of Monmouth, and as such it may feel more rooted and enduring.

Geoffrey

Whether it's pronounced with an "een" or an "aine" or an "enn" sound at the end, Helene doesn't feel as current the more forthright Helen or the airier Helena. Helene reached a high of Number 228 in the US in 1916, when ene, ine and een names were all the fashion, and stayed in the Top 500 until 1962, making a final exit in 1970. It still ranks well in its native France, and even more in Norway (#70).  Model Heidi Klum's daughter 'Leni' has Helene on her birth certificate.

Helene

Popular in French-speaking countries in West Africa, including Mali, Guinea, and Senegal, Ousmane is a form of the Arabic Uthman, likely via Osman or Usman, used in Urdu, Turkish, Malay, and Kurdish. Usually interpreted as meaning "young bustard" — a bustard being a species of large, predominantly land-dwelling birds — it is occasionally linked to serpents and dragons too.
 
Connected to the third caliph of Islam, Ousmane recently featured in the French Top 300, and in contemporary times, is notably associated with footballers Ousmane Dembélé and Ousmane Diomande

Ousmane

The French-accented Pascal was historically used for sons born at Easter, and can make an interesting choice for a boy with Gallic roots arriving around that holiday. 
 Pascal has a number of notable first and last named namesakes, including the philosopher Blaise Pascal, a character in Beauty and the Beast and--for computer freaks--it is also the name of a scientific database.
 Pascoe is an attractive Cornish variation.

Pascal

Rollins is primarily a surname derived from the Germanic personal name Hrodland (composed of 'hrod' meaning 'fame' and 'land' meaning 'territory'), which evolved into Roland in French. As a first name, Rollins represents the growing trend of using family surnames as given names, particularly trendy with surnames ending in S ala Brooks, Banks, and Rhodes. 

The name also gives associations with jazz musician Sonny Rollins and the punk band Rollins Band, giving it artistic and countercultural connections. While uncommon as a first name, Rollins appeals to parents seeking a strong, distinctive masculine name with historical depth. Its sound is bold and commanding, with the rolling 'R' and strong ending creating a memorable impression.

Rollins

French names include many classic names that have ranked highly in the US for its entire history. These

 include Anne and Louis, Charlotte and Charles, and Josephine and Curtis (though it may surprise you to learn that Curtis is not only French, but perennially popular!).



French names in the US Top 200 for girls include Annabelle, Charlotte, Claire, Josephine, and Sophie. For boys, 

 include Andre, Beau, Chase, Remy, and Russell. In France, popular names include Louise, Manon, Jules, and Bastien.

 attracting fresh attention in both France and beyond include, for girls, Capucine, Darcy, Delphine, Elodie, Maribel, Oceane, Ottilie, Quincy, Romilly, and Sylvie. For boys, Dion, Emilien, Florent, Julius, Lionel, Montague, Pom, and Quincy.

Here are all the French names for girls and boys on Nameberry, ordered by their current popularity with our visitors.

French names including meaning and popularity for girls and boys such as Beau, Elodie, Sylvie, including baby names popular in France and names of French origin for boys and girls.. (Page 14)

French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)