By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 72 pages
of 72
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…
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…
Macaire is a masculine name with French origins, derived from the Greek name Makarios meaning 'blessed' or 'happy.' This elegant name has historical significance in France and appears in medieval…
French
"star"
Novel French twist on Starr or Stella.
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…
"esteemed, beloved"
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…
"weasel"
Fur names. We don't think so.
Marcellin is a masculine name with French origins, derived from the Latin name 'Marcellinus,' which is a diminutive of Marcus meaning 'dedicated to Mars' (the Roman god of war). This elegant name has…
French word name
"realization"
You could just spell it epiphany, but that's so much more pedestrian. It's also a holiday name, à la Christmas and Easter: the Epiphany marked the visitation of the Three Wise Men to Baby Jesus.
Émilie is the French variation of Emily, derived from the Latin name 'Aemilia.' This elegant feminine name carries a sense of grace enhanced by the accent mark over the first 'e,' which indicates a…
"Emerald"
Gemstone names have a long history of use, from Ruby to Pearl. Emeraude is the French word for emerald. If the Spanish Esmeralda is stylish, why not Emeraude?
Elvire is a feminine name of Germanic origin, derived from the elements 'elf' or 'magical being' and 'true' or 'faithful.' It's the French form of Elvira, which has been used throughout Europe since…
Elvéra is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from the Spanish name Elvira, which itself likely comes from the Gothic element "alwi" meaning "all, whole" combined with "wers" meaning "true."…
French, Latin
"sun"
Likely a French form of the Roman Aeliana, Éliane is a name that feels at once sophisticated and elegant, but also sunny and bright. Familiar in France, Canada, and Brazil, it can be spelled with the…
Eléonore is the French form of Eleanor, a name with Greek origins meaning 'bright, shining one' or 'light.' The elegant accent over the first 'e' emphasizes its French pronunciation and adds a touch…
Élénora is an elegant feminine name with French and Greek influences. It combines elements of the Greek name Helen, meaning 'bright, shining light' or 'torch,' with the popular Eleanor/Eleonora…
Literature, French
"pointy hill"
The family name of Shakespeare's Romeo, Montague has a touch of old-fashioned grandeur about it. With clunky-cute nickname Monty and similar sounds to Montgomery, it has been used as a given name…
Moïse is the French form of Moses, a name with Hebrew origins meaning 'drawn out of the water,' referencing the biblical account of baby Moses being rescued from the Nile. This elegant variation…
Narcisse is a masculine name of French origin, derived from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a beautiful youth who fell in love with his own reflection. The name is connected to the narcissus flower,…
French and English botanical name
"sweetbriar"
This name for the sweetbriar shrub is a bit too reminiscent of eggplant, but it does have literary creds, having appeared in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales . The French form Églantine appeared in the…
