French Names

Did you really mean to name your child Channel, as in the body of water?  Like, you know, the English Channel?  Or were you going for the last name of the French designer Chanel, with a soft "sh" sound at the beginning and the emphasis on the last syllable?  If so, we recommend sticking with the Chanel spelling.

Channel

Charlesena is one of those awkward feminizations that, like Richardine or Davette, we don't recommend. And why when you have the lovely Charlotte or the gender-neutral Charlie?

Charlesena

Charmaine is an ancient name connected to Charmion, the name of one of Cleopatra's servants, and Charmian, a Shakespearean name. Its meaning is related to the word charm, though some sources tie it to the Charles family, which means "free man".

Charmaine

A Charlotte nickname heard much more often in Britain than here — American parents might prefer Charlie or Lottie.

Charty

Either a virtuous option, adapted from Latin and English, or a woodsy, nature related surname, via the French Chastain. 

Chastin

On one hand, Chastin is a surname-style choice that may be interpreted as nature and tree related via the French Chastain. On the other, it's an almost virtue name, used as a diminutive or variation on Chastity, perhaps inspired by the Latin Castinus. The name appears in Coleen Hoover's novel Verity.

Rich purplish red color choice that may gain favor along with Claire, though the wine connection can't be ignored. 

Claret

Clarion

Once a cowboyish old man name, Clem is now more commonly heard as a nickname for the fashionable Clementine, meaning "merciful one". Clemency, Clemence and Clementia are other possible long forms.

Clem

Clemmie

Pronounced klo-TEELD, this name is well used in France, but rarely heard here; it has a chic and sophisticated air.

Clothilde

A romantic rarity, derived from the Old German name Chlotichilda, meaning "famous in battle." Saint Clotilde was a Frankish queen, wife of Clovis I, who played a role in the spread of Christianity.

Clotilde

The most famous male Coco was Britain's beloved Coco the Clown, whose proper name was Nicolai. An adorable informal pet name not recommended for the birth certificate.

Coco

A modern virtue name with a peaceful meaning, this spelling in particular may be associated with the now retired, supersonic airliner. 

Concorde

Refined and serious, Constantine is the French variant of Constantina, a Roman feminine form of Constantine. (Yes, you did read that right). Ultimately from the Latin constans, it's a virtuous choice that hasn't been in the French name charts since the 1920s.

Constantine

A fashionable name that would fit in with cousins Chanel or Dior, Couture refers to the business of designing, making and selling fashionable custom-made clothing. Strongly associated with the chic city of Paris, Couture feels opulent, luxurious, and rich. 
 
For some, that may be part of the appeal — a fashionable and individual option — while for others, such a blatant choice may feel tacky rather than stylish. 
 
The name has appeared sporadically in the US stats since 2008.

Couture

Unique and fluid river name with the lilt of a Viennese waltz. 

Danube

Actress Daryl Hannah made this a girls' name in theory, though in the most recent year counted, about 75 baby boys in the US were named Daryl...and zero baby girls.

Daryl

A variation of the more familiar Désirée, this masculine form is familiar in France, where it ranked in the Top 400 in the first half of the 20th-century. Notably borne by footballer Désiré Doué, it can be associated with passion, want, spirituality, and wishes. 

Désiré

A new-age literary name, Dessen is the surname of Y.A. author, Sarah Dessen, writer of That Summer, Just Listen, and The Truth About Forever. With nickname Dessie, it may appeal to fans of the author or to those who like surname-names in general.
 
A name with a variety of origins, it may simply borrow from the German word dessen meaning "whose, of which" or it may be used as an English contraction of Desmond (perhaps inspired by Irish short form Deasún). Alternatively, it may have its roots in French, from the word dessus meaning "above, on top" referring to the placement of something, though it may also be associated with the highest 'voice' of a piece of music.

Dessen

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 41)

French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)