By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 72 pages
of 72
French literary name
Eponine is attracting new notice via the movie of Les Miserables, based on the book by Victor Hugo. Eponine is the spoiled daughter of Cosette's foster parents whose name, according to the story, was…
French
"Lost one"
This buoyant name has the same bouncy rhythm as Rafferty and Barnaby, but is virtually unused. It has plenty of literary cred, too: characters in The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter and Thomas…
Variation of Raphaela
French after the Greek name for the Queen of Atlantis
In Pierre Benoit's novel, Antinea is a beautiful and charming queen with a hideous secret: She has a cave wall with 120 niches carved into it, one for each of her lovers. Only 53 have been filled;…
French feminine version of Leopold
"brave people"
A sophisticated girls' name for those attracted to Leona, Leonie and Leonore.
French variant of Zerlin and Zerlina
"beautiful dawn"
Although a variant of the operatic Zerlina, Zerline has her own theatrical tale. She is the star character of the opera Fra Diavolo by Daniel Auber. Zerline, daughter of the innkeeper of Terracina,…
Word name
"German Dance"
An Allemande is a renaissance musical form meaning 'German dance" - Handel composed many famous allemandes. As a name, Allemande has the advantages of being unusual whilst still having a history, and…
French version of Germanic Ermendrud
"universal strength"
Ermentrude was the name of two medieval queens of France. Despite these distinguished beginnings, this antique name is unlikely to catch on with contemporary parents, perhaps because the first…
French feminine variation of Petronius, Latin
"yokel, woodpecker, stone"
So many names sound better with a French accent, and Petronille is one of them: it feels unusual in an elegant way. Usually spelled as Pétronille, it is derived from the Latin Petronius, possibly…
French feminine version of Caesar
Cesarine is the French femininer version of Casear. It is used occasionally in French-speaking countries, including Belgium, Switzerland and Jersey.
"epiphany"
Typhaine (sometimes spelled Tiphaine) is an extremely rare girls name used occasionally in France, Switzerland and Jersey. The name derives from the Greek root words for epiphany. Typhaine might be…
Elaboration of Adele, French, German
"noble"
A sweet, elaborated form of the sleek Adele, Adélie is the traditional French spelling of this Ad- name. Briefly popular in France back in the 90s, Adalee and Adalie are more familiar in the US,…
Variation of Éléonore, Bretton, French
A rare Breton form of Éléonore, Adenora may appeal as an alternative to Adeline, Aurora, and Eleanor. With nicknames Addie and Nora, it makes a distinctive yet familiar option that has never ranked…
Louisiana Creole, French
"adored, worshiped"
A rare name which may intrigue those who enjoy Adeline, Isadora, Dorothee, or Adelaide, Adorestine may be an elaboration of the French Adorée or a variation of Doris, Theadora, or Dolores. As such,…
"love"
Aime or Aimé is sometimes used for boys by French speakers, though will sound feminine to the American ear.
Northern African, French, Arabic
"the lord is salvation"
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…
French variation of Alexandra
"defending men"
This unusual form of Alexandra might be seen and pronounced as a combination of Alex and Anne.
French form of Alyosha, Russian, Greek
"defender, helper"
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…
French surname, possibly meaning "cheerful"
"cheerful"
Allaire, a last name in France. could make a first, with its light and airy feel.
Variation of Alouette, French
"lark"
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.
