1200+ French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)
Across 61 pages
of 61
Bibi
French, Persian, or diminutive of Bibiana
"toy; delight; lady of the house; life"
A spunky nickname name for parents with showbiz aspirations for their daughter.
Mauve
French
"violet-colored"
Mauve is an offbeat color name whose soft and sentimental Victorian spirit is conveyed by the name. One of the newer color names like Blue, Gray and Plum that are increasingly being used as novel…
Maxime
Maxime is a French feminine name, though it can also be used for males in some cultures. Derived from the Latin name Maximus, meaning "greatest" or "largest," it carries connotations of excellence…
Maelle
French or Breton
"chief or prince"
This feminine form of Mael has the distinctive "aelle" ending found in Brittany. In the French spelling Maëlle, it is a Top 100 girls' name in France.
Ivette
French variation of Yvette
Feels more modern than the Y version but also less authentic.
Mélanie
Mélanie is the French form of Melanie, derived from the Greek name Melania, meaning 'black' or 'dark.' With its elegant accent mark, Mélanie carries a distinctly French sophistication while…
Ismay
Possible variation of Esme
"esteemed, beloved"
The rise of the the various Isabel names may give a boost to this variation, which has a sunny, springtime feel. Although this name has been around since the thirteenth century, its origins remain…
Melaniu
Melaniu appears to be a rare variant or creative spelling of Melanie, a feminine name derived from Greek origins. The traditional Melanie comes from 'melania,' meaning 'dark' or 'black,' originally…
Isabeau
French variation of Isabel
"pledged to God"
With Isabel getting so popular, parents are searching for new varieties of the name, and Isabeau is one that makes a lovely French twist. Isabeau of Bavaria was the wife of King Charles VI of…
Melissande
Melissande is an elegant elaboration of Melissa, derived from the Greek word for 'bee' or 'honey bee.' This French-influenced variant adds a sophisticated, fairy-tale quality to the more common…
Collette
Collette is a feminine name of French origin, serving as a variation of Nicole or Nicolette, ultimately derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning 'victory of the people.' This elegant name…
Mellicent
Mellicent is a rare feminine name that evolved as a variant of Melisande and Millicent. It derives from Germanic origins, combining elements meaning 'work' and 'strength' or possibly 'honey' and…
Merle
French
"blackbird"
A sleek, smooth, understated name off the grid in the US but among the Top 100 girl names in Germany. In the US, it is a unisex name, while in Germany and the Netherlands, it is predominantly…
Michèle
Michèle is the French feminine form of Michael, derived from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, meaning 'who is like God?' The distinctive accent over the 'e' (accent grave) indicates the French pronunciation…
Béatrice
Béatrice is the French form of Beatrice, a feminine name with Latin origins meaning 'she who brings happiness' or 'blessed.' The accent over the 'e' emphasizes the French pronunciation…
Andrée
French variation of Andrea
Gilding the lily.
Michéle
Michéle is a feminine name that represents the French variation of Michelle, itself the feminine form of Michel, derived from the Hebrew name Michael meaning 'who is like God?' The accent over the…
Mignon
French
"delicate, dainty"
Charming French endearment, first used as a name by Goethe, that now makes an appealing choice -- though the proper feminine form is Mignonne. Note, though, that this is not actually used as a name…
Alexandrine
Variation of Alexandra, Greek
"defending men"
Alexandra is a name with many international variations, elaborations and short forms, and Alexandrine is one of the more unusual, found mostly in France and Germany. Another, Alexandrina, was the…
Yolanthe
Yolanthe is a distinctive variation of Yolande, a name derived from the medieval French name Violante, which relates to the Latin word for 'violet flower.' This elaborate version adds sophistication…