By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 72 pages
of 72
French
"faith"
Foppish name with a distinguished forebear, French general Marquis de Lafayette, who fought in the American Revolution. It accounts for the L in L. Ron Hubbard. Old-time short form: Fayette or Fate.
French, feminine variation of Claude
"lame; enclosure"
Once seen as a dated French Claudette-Colbert feminization, along with Annette and Paulette, we can see Claudette moving into a more plausible Colette-Cosette arena. While some may be put off by the…
French feminine variation of Clement
"mild, merciful"
Calm, composed, and chic. Often seen with an accent in France, as Clémence.
Variation of Sydney, English from French
"Saint Denis"
Unnecessary complication.
Welsh variation of Eugene or Celtic "well-born; born of sheep"
"well-born; born of sheep"
Owain is much more unusual than its brother name Owen, and feels a little more rugged, a little more adventurous and ancient. Possibly an Old Welsh form of the Latin Eugenius, or, deriving from other…
French from Latin
"youthful or sky father"
Fine in France, but here it means vegetables sliced into thin strips.
"springlike"
Although it has a sweet meaning, this name feels dated nowadays, like a fifties poodle skirt. Lavender may be a fresher alternative.
"victory"
Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.
French variation of Basil
"regal"
Herby and aristocratic Basil remains a tough sell, but we’d like to introduce you to Basile, the delightful French version. It retains all of Basil’s charm, but sheds some of the pesto linkage.…
Dione is a masculine name with ancient Greek origins, though it's sometimes used for females as well. In Greek mythology, Dione was a Titaness who, in some accounts, was the mother of Aphrodite with…
Jewel name, from the French
"pomegranate"
One of the jewel names in use a hundred years ago, due for revival along with sisters Ruby and Pearl.
Mariann is a feminine name that functions as a variant of Marian or a combination of Maria and Ann. With roots in both Hebrew and Latin traditions, it carries the meanings of 'bitter' (from…
"warlike"
Sleek and sophisticated.
American, contemporary variation of Michelle
A modern twist on Michelle spotlighted by Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols.
French variation of Patrick
Though Patrice is still common for boys in France, it has long been feminine here.
Latin via French
"sunrise; gold"
A particularly beautiful member of the Oriana and Orane clan,Oriane is the first name of a major character in Proust's In Search Of Lost Time , the Duchesse de Guermantes. Also borne by climber…
River name or variation of Roan
"flowing; raven"
Ro- names are on trend, with Rowan, Romy, Rosemary Rosalie, and Rory in the US charts, but how about this rare option? Rhone may derive from the name of a river in southeastern France, that takes its…
Spanish feminine form of Thomas, Aramaic
"twin"
A feminine form of Thomas, popular in Spain in the first half of the 20th century, it also ranked in the US Top 1000 in the 1920s. Parents may have been inspired by the Spanish Roman Catholic Nun,…
Verenice is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Berenice or Bernice, which comes from the Greek 'Berenike' meaning 'bringing victory.' The name has ancient roots, notably belonging…
"jewel"
Bijou is a name that lives up to its definition -- a real jewel. Warning: not unheard of on poodles' dog collars. Actress Bijou Phillips is its best known bearer. It can also be spelled Bijoux.
