French Names

Particularly pretty French version of the biblical standard. 

Noémie

Nynette is an uncommon feminine name that likely developed as a diminutive form of Nina or as a variant of Ninette. With French-inspired styling, the name carries a delicate, dainty quality through its diminutive '-ette' suffix. The unusual spelling with 'y' gives it a distinctive appearance and adds to its rarity. Nynette has never been widely popular but occasionally appears in English-speaking countries. The name evokes a petite, feminine image and has a musical, rhythmic quality when pronounced. With its blend of uniqueness and feminine charm, Nynette appeals to parents seeking an uncommon name that still feels familiar and intuitive to pronounce, offering the nickname options of Nyn or Nettie.

Nynette

Génie is a feminine French name that derives from the Latin 'genius,' meaning innate talent or special ability. It carries connotations of brilliance, creativity, and magical qualities. The name evokes the French word for 'genius' as well as connections to mystical beings with supernatural powers, similar to the English concept of a genie. Though relatively uncommon, Génie has a charming, whimsical quality while maintaining sophistication through its French pronunciation and accent mark. The name suggests someone with special gifts or magical qualities. Popular primarily in French-speaking regions, Génie offers parents a name that's both enchanting and elegant, with a touch of intellectual brilliance in its meaning.

Génie

Nanée is a feminine name with French influences, likely a variant of names like Nanette or Anne. The accent mark gives it a distinctive European flair. As a diminutive form, it carries a delicate and endearing quality. While not commonly used in mainstream naming trends, Nanée provides a rare and elegant choice for parents seeking something unique. The name may be associated with gracefulness and refinement due to its French aesthetic. Though statistical data on its popularity is limited, Nanée remains a specialty name that stands out for its subtle sophistication and melodic pronunciation.

Nanée

Nannette is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Anne, ultimately derived from the Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace.' This charming variation emerged in medieval France, where adding the diminutive suffix '-ette' created a more endearing, youthful version of the original name. Nannette gained modest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s. The name has a delicate, vintage quality that evokes images of French countryside and classic femininity. While less common today, Nannette offers the friendly nickname options of 'Nan' or 'Nettie.' The name carries associations with daintiness and refinement, balancing a formal quality with approachable warmth. Its distinctive spelling with doubled letters adds visual interest to this sweet, timeless name.

Nannette

Nanou is a delicate feminine name with French origins, often used as a nickname for names like Anne, Nanette, or Éleanor in French-speaking regions. This charming diminutive has taken on life as a given name in its own right, offering a sweet, modern sound with an international feel. The name has a melodic, sing-song quality that gives it a playful yet sophisticated character. Nanou remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, making it a distinctive choice. Its brevity and easy pronunciation make it appealing to parents seeking something short yet complete. The name carries a certain joie de vivre and elegance associated with French culture.

Nanou

Eugénie is the French feminine form of Eugene, derived from the Greek name Eugenios meaning "well-born" or "noble." With its elegant accent mark, this name carries an air of sophistication and historical significance. It gained prominence through Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III who influenced fashion and culture in 19th-century France. The name has remained more popular in French-speaking regions than in English-speaking countries, where it's considered rare and distinctive. Eugénie offers a delicate yet strong sound with its soft 'g' and feminine ending. For parents drawn to names with European flair and classical roots, Eugénie provides an uncommon choice that combines refinement with historical depth.

Eugénie

Étoile

Nadége is a variant of the French name Nadège, which itself is derived from the Russian name Nadezhda, meaning 'hope.' This elegant feminine name has its ultimate origins in Slavic languages, where hope is considered a virtue and a spiritual gift. In France, Nadège gained popularity during the 20th century, and Nadége represents a slightly altered spelling that maintains the same melodic pronunciation. While relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, the name has a sophisticated European appeal and carries positive connotations through its meaningful root. The accent mark gives the name a distinctive touch, though it's sometimes simplified to Nadege in non-French contexts.

Nadége

Mystique

Estée is a feminine name most famously associated with the cosmetics entrepreneur Estée Lauder, whose birth name was actually Josephine Esther Mentzer. The name has French origins and is a stylized form of Esther, which derives from the Persian word for 'star.' The distinctive accent mark gives the name a touch of European sophistication and elegance. Though relatively uncommon as a given name, Estée carries connotations of beauty, luxury, and entrepreneurial success due to the Lauder connection. The name has a delicate yet strong quality, with its brief two syllables ending in an elegant accent. It appeals to parents seeking a name with cosmopolitan flair and subtle sophistication, while remaining distinctive in most naming contexts.

Estée

Musette is a delicate feminine name of French origin with musical associations. Derived from the French word for a small bagpipe-like instrument popular in the 18th century, it also refers to a charming rustic dance. The name gained some recognition through its appearance in the opera 'La Bohème,' where Musetta is a spirited character. Though uncommon in mainstream usage, Musette carries a whimsical, artistic quality that appeals to parents drawn to French-inspired names with cultural depth. Its musical roots make it especially appealing to families with artistic inclinations. Despite its rarity, Musette offers a memorable, melodic quality while maintaining an elegant French sophistication that sets it apart from more commonly used French names.

Musette

One of the few French words/names not attractive to the American ear.  It's pronounced moo-gay, not a winner on either syllable.  Alternatives: Liliane, Lily, Lilou, Manon. 

Muguet

Morgaine is a feminine name with mystical Celtic origins, being a variant of Morgan or Morgana. The name is steeped in Arthurian legend, where Morgaine (also known as Morgan le Fay) appears as a powerful enchantress and half-sister to King Arthur. Derived from Old Welsh elements meaning 'sea-born' or 'sea-circle,' Morgaine carries connotations of mystery, magic, and connection to natural elements. Though uncommon in mainstream usage, the name has maintained a steady presence among those drawn to names with mythological significance and Celtic heritage. The French-influenced spelling with the '-aine' ending gives it a slightly more ethereal quality than the more common Morgan. Morgaine appeals to parents seeking a name with depth, mystical associations, and feminine strength.

Morgaine

Esme is a sophisticated, distinctive, and charming J. D. Salinger name, from his classic 1950 story 'For Esme, With Love and Squalor'.Related to the French Aimee, which means beloved, and to the concept of esteem, it was originally a male name exported from France to Scotland via a member of the royal family.
A current favorite among celebs, including Samantha Morton, Michael J. Fox and Katey Sagal. Esme got a lot of publicity via the character Esme Cullen, the vampire matriarch of the Olympic Coven in the Twilight Saga.
 The final accent indicates the pronunciation of ez-may, though in English you can just spell it Esme.

Esmé

Ermine

Cécile is a feminine French name derived from the Latin 'Caecilia', the feminine form of 'Caecilius', an ancient Roman family name possibly meaning 'blind' or related to the Latin word 'caecus'. The name gained popularity through Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians in the Catholic tradition. Cécile has been used in France since medieval times and maintains steady popularity in French-speaking regions. The accent over the first 'e' creates the soft 'say-SEEL' pronunciation. The name carries an elegant, refined quality typical of French names while maintaining historical depth. Cécile evokes images of sophistication and artistic sensibility, perhaps influenced by its connection to the musically-inclined saint.

Cécile

Morgane is a feminine name of Welsh and Breton origin, a variant of Morgan that's particularly popular in France. It derives from the Welsh elements 'mor' meaning 'sea' and 'gan' meaning 'born,' together suggesting 'born from the sea' or 'sea-dweller.' In Arthurian legend, Morgan le Fay was a powerful enchantress, giving the name mystical associations. The addition of the final 'e' in Morgane gives the name a distinctly French flair and feminine quality compared to the more unisex Morgan. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Morgane has maintained steady popularity in France and French-speaking regions. The name balances ancient Celtic roots with a contemporary sound, offering mythological depth alongside modern appeal.

Morgane

Muirgan is a feminine name with Celtic, specifically Irish and Scottish Gaelic roots. The name likely derives from elements 'muir' meaning 'sea' and 'gean' or 'gan' possibly relating to 'birth' or 'born of.' In Irish mythology, there are connections to sea deities and mermaids, including Muirgen, a name sometimes associated with mermaids or sea spirits. Muirgan carries the evocative imagery of the ocean's power and mystery. This uncommon name maintains strong cultural ties to Celtic heritage while offering a distinctive sound. Its rarity makes it appealing to parents seeking a name with deep cultural roots and natural symbolism that stands apart from more common Celtic names.

Muirgan

Monike is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Monica. The traditional Monica derives from North African or possibly Greek origins, associated with the word 'monos' meaning 'alone' or 'solitary.' Some sources connect it to the meaning 'advisor' or 'counselor.' The spelling variation Monike gives the classic name a modern twist while maintaining its recognizable pronunciation. This alternative spelling has gained some usage in European countries, particularly in Baltic and Germanic regions. While less common than the standard spelling, Monike offers a fresh take on a familiar name. The name's long history, dating back to Saint Monica in the 4th century, provides cultural depth despite the contemporary spelling.

Monike

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 31)

French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)