1200+ French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)
Across 61 pages
of 61
Raine
French
"queen"
Attracted attention as the stepmother of Princess Diana.
Lorraine
French
"from the province of Lorraine"
Sweet Lorraine might just be old enough to be ripe for reconsideration. This French place name has moved in and out of fashion in the few hundred years it's been used as a girls' first name, somewhat…
Laurette
Laurette is a delicate feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive of Laura or Lauren. Derived from the Latin 'laurus' meaning 'laurel tree' or 'sweet bay tree,' the laurel wreath has…
Laure
French form of Laura, English from Latin
"from Laurentum or bay laurel"
Laure is a feminine French name derived from the Latin 'laurus,' meaning 'laurel tree' - a symbol of victory and honor in ancient times. It functions as both a standalone name and the French form of…
Laverne
French
"springlike"
Although it has a sweet meaning, this name feels dated nowadays, like a fifties poodle skirt. Lavender may be a fresher alternative.
Léa
Hebrew
"weary"
French version of Leah, currently popular with French-speaking parents. In this spelling, it looks pleasingly like the female equivalent of Leo (or Léo), and sounds like Leia.
Léonne
Léonne is a feminine name with French origins, essentially the feminine form of Léon (Lion). The double 'n' and added 'e' feminize the name while maintaining its connection to the powerful, regal…
Léonie
French
"lion"
Leona with a French accent that gives it a bit more flair. It's currently very popular there – in the Top 30 for French baby girls. Aunt Léonie is a major character in Proust's Remembrance of Things…
Leontine
French female form of Leontios, Greek
"lion"
Leontine is the French form of a name that's more familiar by its spelling variation Leontyne, the name made famous by opera diva Price. An obscure choice, Leontine nevertheless feels right for our…
Léonette
Léonette is a delicate feminine name with French origins, formed as a diminutive of Léonie, which itself derives from the Latin name Leo meaning 'lion.' The addition of the suffix '-ette' creates a…
Lilas
French, Portuguese
"lilac; lily"
In France, Lilas is a light, colorful, and botanical name, literally translating to "lilac". Pronounced as LEE-LAH, it has been appearing in the French Top 500 since 2001. Occasionally, the name is…
Liliane
French variation of Lilian
"lily, a flower"
Now that Lily has become hugely popular, parents in love with this flower name are looking further afield for substitutes such as Liliane and Liliana.
Lys
Diminutive of Elisabeth or French
"lily"
Lys is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In French, it derives from 'fleur-de-lis' meaning 'lily,' a flower symbolizing purity and the French monarchy. In Welsh and Scandinavian…
Leelee
Short form of Liliane
"lily"
Actress Leelee Sobieski's real name is Liliane, after her French grandmother -- a better choice for any baby-namer.
Linnet
French
"flaxen haired"
Although the accent in Linnet is on the first syllable, it could be confused with the dated Lynette.
Lynette
French elaboration of Lynn or Welsh
"idol"
Linda begat Lynn which gave way to Lynette, which peaked in the late 1960s. Lynette has been off the Top 1000 for a couple decades now, and the Lynn variations finding the most favor are those that…
Colombe
Colombe is a delicate French feminine name meaning 'dove,' symbolizing peace, purity, and gentleness. Derived from the Latin 'columba,' this name has been used in France since medieval times, often…
Lyonell
Lyonell, though listed as feminine, is traditionally a masculine name with French origins, derived from 'lion,' symbolizing strength and nobility. This spelling variation, with the double 'l' ending,…
Lizette
French, diminutive of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Whether you spell it Lisette or Lizette, a somewhat dated diminutive that nevertheless retains some charm.
Ivonne
French variation of Yvonne
The I freshens up this name.