French Names

An arty and elegant French form of Aurelius, Aurèle is pronounced with two syllables, the first being a soft O sound. A Top 300 choice in its native France, it has seen increased use in recent years after entering the charts in 2016.
 
Occasionally spelled as Aurele, it has been notably borne by ice hockey player Aurèle Joliat, archbishop of Ottawa Joseph-Aurèle Plourde, and flautist Aurèle Nicolet. The latter was considered one of the best flute players of the 20th century and his death in 2016 coincides with Aurèle's entry into the charts, suggesting parents may have been inspired by the musician.

Aurèle

A melodic and poetic choice, derived from Awen, a Welsh and Breton name, associated with the artistic muse and inspiration. Borne by a 9th century saint (and sister to Saint Benoît of Massérac), Avénie is a rare, creative and arty feeling choice that may appeal to those who enjoy Azélie, Avril, and Averie. 


Avénie

An interesting alternative to Ava, Avery, and Everett, Avett is a musical choice, notably associated with the American folk-rock band, The Avett Brothers. The exact etymology of the name is unknown, but theories include that it comes from the French avette meaning "bee" or that it's an English diminutive of Avery or Avraham, giving it the meanings "little elf ruler" or "father of multitudes". 
Additionally, it may link to other names such as Avis, meaning "bird", Everett meaning "brave, wild boar", Averell meaning "april" or Armenian Avetis meaning "good news". 
The name has been appearing in the US stats since 2009 for boys, while it debuted for girls in 2014. Currently, it leans masculine, but is used in small enough numbers that it could go either way.

Avett

An Occitan and Medieval French form of Adelais, this name is ultimately related to the noble and stately Adelaide. It is likely the source of stylish French Zélie.
 
The name was historically borne by 11th-century noblewoman Azalaïs of Montferrat, a patron of troubadours (performers and composers) who also became the regent of Saluzzo, Italy, while another bearer was the 12th-century composer and writer, Azalais de Porcairagues
 
Also appearing as Azalais and Asalais, it may be pronounced as A-ZUH-LAY-EES or A-ZA-LA-EES.

Azalaïs

Possibly inspired by the French Azélie (a relative of Adelaide) or by the floral Azalea, Azeli is a contemporary choice which may appeal to fans of Azariah, Adelie, Ailani, Zaylee, and Nayeli. Pronounced as either A-ZEH-LEE or uh-ZAY-lee, it was chosen by artist and content creator Sage Corte (handandfire) in 2026.

Azeli

In Medieval England, Barbary was a common given name and short form of Barbara. Today it exists as a surname, either derived from Barbara itself, or in French, from the Occitan barbari, meaning "barbarian."
 
The Barbary Coast historically referred to the coastline of modern-day Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Barbary was used as a baby name by enslaved people from the region.

Barbary

An old English redhead name -- one of the few that doesn't begin with the letter r -- with references both to a famous French knight and a magical horse. Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin is a contemporary bearer of this unusual and evocative name.

Bayard

Begonia is a pretty flower named for French administrator and amateur horticulturalist Michel Bégon, who was an avid naturalist but also a proponent of slavery. A rare floral choice which has never really caught on as a baby name, Begonia would certainly stand out from the Lilys and Roses. 

Begonia

Bethsabee

While some may find it too close to the name of the Irish singer-songwriter Bono, it is in fact a French surname, placename, and wine name.
 
The exact meaning is uncertain, though theories include that it could come from the Old French term of endearment, bonye, meaning "good, kind one" or from the Latin em>bon, also meaning "good". Nickname Beau could make it feel more usable.

Bonneau

A place name, a surname, and a wine name, does Bonneau have potential as a baby name too? Possibly derived from the Old French term of endearment, bonye, meaning "good, kind one" or from the Latin em>bonmore generally, it could give you nicknames Bonnie and Bo.

You could see Bonnet as rarely used word name and an unexpected route to nicknames Bonnie and Betty. Or, you could view it as a (masculine) French form of Latin Bonitus, and as a surname-style choice of the same origin. 
 
Yet to appear in the US stats, if Stetson, Denim, and Suede can be used, perhaps Bonnet isn't too far out for girls?

Bonnet

Bonnet may look like an English word name for a type of hat — and it may well be viewed as such — however, more traditionally, it's a masculine French name (and surname), briefly in the Top 400 in France during the early 20th-century. A form of Bonitus, meaning "good", it may not have sounded too out of place with the likes of Bonaventure and Boniface which ranked around the same period. 

French version of the mythological name Cassandra.

Cassandre

Cateline

The unusual (to English speakers) name Cendrillon is French for Cinderella, though most Americans wouldn't recognize it as such. This might make an excellent middle name for those who are looking for something rare, whimsical, fantastical, and literary. But you must insist on the lovely French pronunciation — if you're choosing a name this uncommon, why not go all the way.

Cendrillon

The last syllable being a female name makes the surname of the great French postimpressionist a creative natural for a girl. 

Cézanne

Wait, you named me after a wine, but then you were too drunk to spell it right?

Chabelly

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, it did.

Chabely

Also written as Chaïma, this name was a popular choice in Tunisia in the 2000s, and a familiar one in France, Morocco, and The Netherlands around the same time. Possibly meaning "beauty marks" (from the Arabic shama), it is a variation of Shaima (also Shaimaa, Shayma, and Shimaa), notably borne by the foster sister of the Prophet Muhammad.

Chaima

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 40)

French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)