French Names

Leontine is the French form of a name that's more familiar by its spelling variation Leontyne, the name made famous by opera diva Price.  An obscure choice, Leontine nevertheless feels right for our lion-name-crazed moment.

Leontine

Léonette is a delicate feminine name with French origins, formed as a diminutive of Léonie, which itself derives from the Latin name Leo meaning 'lion.' The addition of the suffix '-ette' creates a meaning along the lines of 'little lioness,' giving the name a combination of strength and grace. While relatively uncommon, Léonette carries an elegant, sophisticated quality characteristic of French naming traditions. The accent mark over the 'é' emphasizes its French heritage and pronunciation. This name would be more frequently encountered in French-speaking regions or among families with French cultural connections, though it remains a distinctive choice that combines classical roots with a touch of refinement.

Léonette

In France, Lilas is a light, colorful, and botanical name, literally translating to "lilac". Pronounced as LEE-LAH, it has been appearing in the French Top 500 since 2001. 
 
Occasionally, the name is used in Brazil or Portugal, either as a word meaning "lilac" or as a diminutive of Liliana, lending it the meaning "lily" or "God is my oath". In this case, the pronunciation may be LEE-las and the spelling Lilás.

Lilas

Actress Leelee Sobieski's real name is Liliane, after her French grandmother -- a better choice for any baby-namer.

Leelee

Although the accent in Linnet is on the first syllable, it could be confused with the dated Lynette. 

Linnet

Lionel is yet another traditional boy's name entering the girls' column--at least once-- via prizewinning novelist Lionel (born Margaret Ann) Shriver.

Lionel

Lyonell, though listed as feminine, is traditionally a masculine name with French origins, derived from 'lion,' symbolizing strength and nobility. This spelling variation, with the double 'l' ending, adds a distinctive touch to the standard Lionel. The name carries medieval associations, appearing in Arthurian legends as one of the Knights of the Round Table. As a feminine usage, Lyonell represents a bold, gender-crossing choice reflecting contemporary trends toward name flexibility. The 'y' spelling gives it a slightly more ornate and potentially feminine appearance compared to Lionel. Regardless of gender assignment, the name conveys courage and dignified bearing. Its pronunciation remains consistent with Lionel (LYE-uh-nell), making it accessible despite its uncommon status.

Lyonell

The lovely sound and image of the French river and lush valley would make this a most distinctive and captivating choice. Pronunciation: low-ahr.

Loire

Louisiana is a geographic spin on the Louise theme.  Pretty, if a bit of a syllable overload. Short form Lou or Lulu lightens it.

Louisiana

Louisiane is a feminine French name derived from Louis, which means 'renowned warrior' or 'famous in battle' from Germanic origins. This elegant variation likely draws inspiration from the French territory of Louisiana, named after King Louis XIV of France. The name combines the classic heritage of Louis with a romantic, feminine ending characteristic of French naming traditions. While uncommon even in French-speaking regions, Louisiane carries sophisticated European flair and cultural richness. It presents a more elaborate and distinctive alternative to the popular Louise or Louisa. With its flowing syllables and historic connections, Louisiane appeals to parents seeking a name with French elegance, royal associations, and geographic significance while remaining quite rare in usage.

Louisiane

Aloyse is a feminine name with Germanic and French origins, functioning as a variation of Aloys or Aloïs, which themselves derive from the name Louis. The ultimate root is the Old Frankish name Chlodovech, meaning 'famous warrior' or 'famous in battle.' Predominantly used in Luxembourg, eastern France, and German-speaking regions of Europe, Aloyse has a refined, classical quality. While never achieving widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, it carries an air of aristocratic heritage and European sophistication. The name experienced modest usage in the early 20th century but remains relatively uncommon today, giving it a distinctive character for contemporary bearers.

Aloyse

Lucinenne is an elaborate feminine name that appears to be a variation or elaboration of Lucienne, the French feminine form of Lucien, derived from the Latin 'lux' meaning 'light.' The additional 'n' gives the name a more ornate, distinctive quality. Lucinenne carries an air of sophistication and vintage elegance, evoking images of classical French beauty. This extremely rare name offers the familiar root 'Luci-' with its associations of brightness and illumination, but in a more unique form. The name might appeal to parents drawn to elaborate French-inspired names with a lyrical quality. Lucinenne provides the nickname options of Lucy, Luci, or Cienne, combining familiarity with originality.

Lucinenne

Lucinde is a feminine name with French and Latin origins, derived from Lucinda or directly from Latin 'lux' meaning 'light.' This elegant variation carries a slightly more European flair than the more common Lucinda, with its softened ending. Historically, the name appeared in literary works, including Molière's plays, giving it cultural and artistic associations. While never achieving widespread popularity, Lucinde maintains an aristocratic, refined quality that appeals to parents seeking something distinctive yet classically grounded. The name suggests brilliance, clarity, and illumination through its connection to light. Its melodic three-syllable structure flows gracefully in pronunciation while offering a subtle uniqueness in spelling that distinguishes it from more familiar feminine names with similar sounds.

Lucinde

Lucrèce is a feminine French name derived from the Latin 'Lucretia.' It has ancient Roman roots, referring to a noblewoman in Roman history whose tragic fate influenced the establishment of the Roman Republic. The name suggests nobility, virtue, and moral strength. The French spelling with the grave accent adds a touch of elegance and cultural refinement. While never extremely common, Lucrèce has maintained a presence in French-speaking countries, particularly among families with appreciation for classical culture. The name carries literary and historical associations, as it was featured in works by Shakespeare and other notable writers.

Lucrèce

Pretty, delicate and crystal clear, with the readymade nickname of Lucy.

Lucida

Innovative French word name, suggesting illumination and clarity. 

Lumière

Madella is a feminine name that likely originated as a diminutive or variation of Madeline or other 'Mad-' names derived from Magdalene, which refers to Mary Magdalene in the New Testament. The suffix '-ella' adds a feminine, diminutive quality meaning 'little' or 'young' in Latin-based languages. Madella has an elegant, vintage quality reminiscent of names popular in the early 20th century. It remains quite rare in contemporary usage, appealing to parents seeking unusual vintage names with familiar roots. The name has a melodic quality with its soft consonants and alternating vowel sounds. Potential nicknames include Della, Maddie, or Ella.

Madella

Madelle is a feminine name that likely developed as a diminutive or variation of names like Madeleine or Madeline. It combines the familiar 'Mad-' prefix with a delicate '-elle' suffix, creating a name that sounds both familiar and unique. The name has French undertones, with 'elle' meaning 'she' in French, adding a touch of elegance. Madelle is quite rare, not appearing regularly in popularity charts, which makes it an uncommon choice for parents seeking something distinctive. The name has a gentle, melodic quality while maintaining a certain strength. As with many variations of traditional names, Madelle offers the comfort of familiarity while standing apart from more common alternatives.

Madelle

Magdala is a feminine name with profound historical and biblical connections. It derives from the ancient town of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee, most famously known as the home of Mary Magdalene, an important figure in Christianity. The place name Magdala has Aramaic origins meaning "tower" or "elevated place." This gives the name a sense of strength and prominence. While never among the most popular names, Magdala has been used sporadically throughout history, particularly in religious communities. It offers a less common alternative to the more familiar Magdalene or Madeline while maintaining the rich historical and spiritual heritage.

Magdala

Magdalaine is an elegant variation of Magdalene, which derives from Magdala, an ancient town on the Sea of Galilee whose name meant 'tower' in Aramaic. The name gained significance in Christian tradition through Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus. This particular spelling adds a French-inspired sophistication with the 'ai' combination. Magdalaine offers a graceful alternative to the more common Magdalene or Madeline variations, maintaining the historical richness while providing a distinctive flair. Though relatively uncommon, the name carries timeless appeal with its biblical connections and melodic sound. Magdalaine projects dignity and classical femininity while the unusual spelling gives it a touch of uniqueness that sets bearers apart.

Magdalaine

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 56)

French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)