French Names

Aime or Aimé is sometimes used for boys by French speakers, though will sound feminine to the American ear.

Aime

Also appearing Aïssa, this name is largely used in French-influenced countries, including Algeria, Morocco, Belgium, and France itself. It derives from the Arabic Isa, the name by which Jesus is known as in the Quran. While the name did appear in the French Top 500 back in the 1960s, alternative spellings Issa, Isa, and Essa are more widely used. 
 
Aissa is also used as a feminine name, in this case as a variant of Aisha. One notable male bearer of the name, however, is footballer Aïssa Mandi.

Aissa

This unusual form of Alexandra might be seen and pronounced as a combination of Alex and Anne.

Alexane

Ultimately derived from the Greek Alexius, Aliocha is the French form of the Russian name Alyosha. In Russia, it is used as a diminutive of Aleksey (meaning "defender, helper"), while in French, it might be used for Alexis. A notable bearer is actor Aliocha Schneider.

Aliocha

Allaire, a last name in France. could make a first, with its light and airy feel.

Allaire

An elaboration of the French word name, Alouette, this form may reflect the Quebec French pronunciation of the bird name, as heard in the children's song. 

Alouetta

A bright, celestial name of Turkic, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz origins, this transliteration might be considered the French form. Meaning "golden moon", it is notably borne by the Princess of Montenegro, Altinaï Petrović-Njegoš. 

Altinaï

This variation of Amadeus may not be as familiar in the United States, but it has potential for French speaker and those with a French lineage.

Amedee

A variation on Emmeline, Ameline has not experienced nearly the same level of success in the US, though it was given to five girls in 2015. Whereas Emmeline lends itself to trendy nicknames Emme and Emmy, Ameline has a clearer path to the dated Amy.

Ameline

Andre is traditionally a male name, but it is not completely unknown for girls. Think of it as an abbreviation of Andrea and it makes more sense.

Andre

While Andrea — without the accent) — is still currently the favored spelling in France for boys, Andréa is an up-and-coming star, that ranked just outside the French Top 100 in a recent year. Notable bearers include footballer Andréa Dacourt and politician Andréa Kotarac. 


Andréa

Also spelled as Annick, this French name is a succinct form of the Breton Annaig, itself a diminutive of classic Anna. It was popular in the 1930s and 40s in France, though never as popular as Annick. 
 
A notable bearer is ice hockey player Annic Buchi.

Annic

There may be some parents who deliberately transpose the i and the o in this name, pronouncing it an-tee-oh-net. And then there are those parents who are just spelling Antoinette differently. 

Most famously associated with Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France before the Revolution, the name carries an air of aristocratic refinement. But unless you have a good reason to go with Antionette, Antoinette is really the correct spelling.

Antionette

The roles of vintage French girl names are filled with now-rare feminizations, such as Antonine. More usual forms today are Antonia or even Antoinette.

Antonine

A variation of the Ancient Greek Apollodorus, this French form may appeal to those looking for something truly unexpected, but who also enjoy the likes of Theodore, Isidore, Apollo, Atticus, and Atlas. Blending the name of the Greek god of the sun, music, and prophecy with the element doron, meaning "gift", it could offer the nicknames Pol, Pollo, Rory, Ollie, Odie, and Lorie.

Apollodore

Arabesque

Armide is a French name, based on the literary name, Armida, likely invented by Torquano Tasso for his poem, Jerusalem Delievered, borne by an enchantress who beguiles the crusaders. This particular form appears in operas by Jean-Baptiste Lully and Christoph Willibald Gluck, both based on the poem.
 
As a literary creation, the exact meaning of the name is unknown, but theories include that it is based on Amada or Amata ("beloved"), Armanda ("army woman"), Arminia ("whole, universal"), Artemisia or Artemidora ("gift of Artemis"), or Amadea ("loved by God").

Armide

Armistice is an unusual word name with a meaning that's both militaristic and peaceful. It refers to a ceasefire, temporary or permanent, by agreement in wartime. Armistice Day in celebrated on the November 11th to commemorate the end of World War I. 
Armistice appeared in the US charts for the first time in 1918, when it was given to five girls, likely inspired by the end of the the first World War. It was then used for boys in 1919 and 1921, and again for girls in 1927, possibly owing to the unveiling of the Glade of the Armistice that year, a monument built to commemorate the spot on which Armistice was signed. 
 
Since then, it has never returned to the US stats and these days, you're mmore likely to hear Truce used instead. The name has, however, been used in HBO's show Westworld, ironically given to a bloodthirsty robot, played by actress Ingrid Bolsø Berdal.
 
While it is unlikely to catch on, Armistice could make an unexpected middle name for a baby born around November 11.

Armistice

An interesting cousin of Natalie (the 'h' is silent) found in the Louisiana Cajun community, Athalie is the name of a tragedy by classic French playwright Racine.

Athalie

If you live in an English-speaking country, there are so many variations of this august name that would make life simpler.

Auguste

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 39)

French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)