French Names

One of Dumas' swashbuckling Three Musketeers, now better known as a men's cologne. 

Aramis

Marietta would make for a classy and uncommon long form for cool nickname Etta.

 The meaning of Maria is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Marietta

Predominantly used in France where it ranks in the Top 500, Naomie is a twist on Noémie, the French form of the Biblical name. Pronounced as NA-AW-MEE, it draws inspiration from the English version, Naomi. 
 
Outside of France (and Quebec), Naomie may simply be used as an alternative spelling of Naomi, with the -ie ending of Evie, Josie, and Sophie. A recent year saw it given to more than 50 girls in the US.

Naomie

Sasha in all its forms -- which include Sacha and Sascha -- is rising in popularity for both boys and girls. Its most prominent current bearer with this spelling is Sacha Baron Cohen.

Sacha is a Top 20 name for baby boys in France.

Sacha

Justine is a French name that's never reached the popularity we think it deserves. Like its far-more-common brother Justin, Justine is sleek, and sophisticated, but still user-friendly. 
 Justine has had a very erratic popularity path in this country. It first was noticed in the late 1950's via the eponymous novel that was part of Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quarter, but reached its highest peak--at Number 175-- in the eighties, during the TV run of Family Ties, featuring Justine Bateman. Justine is still a Top 60 name in its native France.

Justine

A new favorite of the bohemian set, brought to light by actress Monet Mazur, daughter of the artist who designed the Rolling Stones' mouth logo. 

Monet

Similar in style to Everett and Avery, Avett is a zippy, musical choice that many will associate with the American folk-rock band, The Avett Brothers. The exact etymology of the name is unknown, but theories include that it comes from the French avette meaning "bee", that it's a diminutive of Avery, meaning "little elf ruler", or that it is comes from the Hebrew ʾAvraham, meaning "father of multitudes".
 
Additionally, it may come from Avis, meaning "bird", Everett meaning "brave, wild boar", Averell meaning "april" or Armenian Avetis meaning "good news".
 
Avett has been appearing in the US stats since 2009, with around 30 boys given the name in a recent year.

Avett

Odalys has two possible origins, one perhaps more likely — and more favorable — than the other, given that is used predominantly in Spanish speaking countries. Most familiar in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Spain, the Dominican Republic, and the US, it can also be spelled as Odalis.
 
From its Spanish roots, it likely follows in the tradition of Arelis, Ivelys, and Idalys and as such, may well be a variation on the name Odilia, meaning "wealth, fortune" or "fatherland, heritage. This would make it a relative of Otto and Ottilie, with the addition of the popular -ys suffix.
 
Alternatively, other sources suggest it comes from the French word Odalisque, derived from the Ottoman Turkish odalık referring to an enslaved chambermaid, house servant, or a concubine.
 
As stated above, while the French word is one possible origin, the fact that this name has appeared in the US charts and is reasonably well-used across Latin America makes the Odilia connection seem more likely — though it might be worth noting that odalisca is sometimes used more favorably in Spain to refer to a belly-dancer, which may also add to the appeal.
 
The name was given to 43 girls in the US in a recent year, while Odalis was given to 14. Used as predominantly feminine in most places, in the Dominican Republic, the name is also given to boys.

Odalys

A spelling variant of Corinne, which ranked a little behind its sister spelling until the 1990s when it fell out of favor. 

Corrine

Since the first production of Camille this has been considered one of the world's most romantic names, though it's one of those <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/498/french-names-for-boys">French names for boys</a> rarely heard in this country.
 Actor Armie Hammer's first name is Armand.

Armand

French version of August, for both sexes. And for those who feel the spelling of August is too plain.

Auguste

Has a musty 1940s feel.  Try Georgia -- or Georgiana.

Georgette

The name of an ancient saint, a legendary holy man and martyr who is the patron saint of the city of Pamplona in Navarre, Spain. The popular week-long festival Sanfermines, which takes place in Pamplona every year from July 6-14 and includes the infamous encierro or bull runs, is named in his honor.

 The name derives from Latin Firmunus "steadfast, strong"; Fermin is the Basque form. A local diminutive is Mintxo.

Fermin

Much less successful than other variations.

Jorden

Popular in Norway and Denmark, but familiar across Europe, Amalie can be pronounced as a-MAHL-yah, much like sister Amalia. A variation of Amelia, it shares the same Germanic element, amal meaning "vigorous, unceasing, work".

In the US, where Amalie is most familiar as the name of the capital city of the US Virgin Islands, it may be pronounced like Emily, with an Am- sound at the beginning, or like Amalia with the final '-a' dropped, so uh-MAH-lee. 
 
Pretty and bright but totally grounded Amalie could make a classic choice with a small twist. An added bonus is that it was given to just under 40 girls in the US last year, making it recognizable but considerably less popular than other members of the Amelia family.

Amalie

Tracy

It's the French Steve yet feels oh so much more debonair. Well-used and still a popular classic in French-speaking lands, but one of the many <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/498/french-names-for-boys">French names for boys</a>unfamiliar to most English speakers, except maybe fashionistas who associate it with designer Etienne Aigner. A new way to honor Grandpa Steve?

Etienne

Gaby is a warm, approachable feminine name typically used as a shortened form of Gabrielle or Gabriela, names derived from Hebrew meaning 'God is my strength.' This friendly diminutive has gained popularity as a standalone name, embracing the modern trend toward casual, accessible naming. Gaby carries an international appeal, being recognizable across many European and Latin American cultures. The name conveys a friendly, unpretentious personality while maintaining a connection to its more formal origins. With its soft sounds and easy pronunciation, Gaby balances femininity with a certain casual confidence. It's become a popular choice for parents seeking names that feel both familiar and contemporary.

Gaby

Jordon is a masculine name that represents a variant spelling of Jordan, which derives from the Hebrew name 'Yarden,' referring to the Jordan River in the Middle East. The river holds significant religious importance in Christianity as the site where Jesus was baptized. As a personal name, Jordon gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the late 20th century. This alternative spelling with an 'o' rather than an 'a' offers a subtle distinction while maintaining the name's recognized sound and heritage. Jordon peaked in usage in the 1990s in the United States but remains a steady choice for parents seeking a name with biblical connections that still sounds contemporary. The name conveys strength and has a modern, masculine feel.

Jordon

Chase is starting to be seen on a handful of girls each year, and has been heard as a nickname to Chelsea. Reminiscent of Casey and Charlie, around 40 girls were given the name in a recent count. 

Chase

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 15)

French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)