1200+ French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)
Across 61 pages
of 61
Brigitte
French variation of Brighid
"strength or exalted one"
Brigitte is the French version of the ancient Irish Brighid long associated with 1950s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot. If you want to pronounce Brigitte the French way, it's brih-ZHEET.
Brie
French, place-name of cheese-producing region, short form of Briana
Place-name and homonym of Bree, less popular than its enlargement, Brielle or Brianna. Brie Larson is a notable bearer.
Antoinette
French feminine diminutive form of Antoine
"priceless one"
This feminization of Anthony, like other early French forms, such as Babette and Nanette, is not heard as often as it once was, but it could be time for a reappraisal of this delicate Gallic choice.…
Bleu
French
"blue"
The middle name of the Travoltas' Ella is used twice as often -- 36 to 18 babies in the US last year -- for boys as for girls, leaning even more to the male side than the traditional Blue.
Annette
French
"grace"
Annette is a French diminutive of Ann which was among the first wave of widely-used girls' names from France, now neglected for so long that it's almost starting to feel stylish again.
Amabel
Latin
"lovable"
Amabel is an older name than Annabel and a lot more distinctive. Amabel was a very common name in the twelfth and thirteen centuries, then was revived during the nineteenth century British fad for…
Bijou
French
"jewel"
Bijou is a name that lives up to its definition -- a real jewel. Warning: not unheard of on poodles' dog collars. Actress Bijou Phillips is its best known bearer. It can also be spelled Bijoux.
Bichette
French
"little doe"
Charming Gallic possibility but with some obvious playground problems.
Anne-marie
French, combination of Anne and Marie
"grace + drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
One of the oldest and most widely used compound names, now a bit dated but not as much so as its opposite Mary-Ann. The hyphen is optional. The meaning of Marie is uncertain, but theories include…
Bibiane
Bibiane is a feminine name of French origin, derived from the Latin name Viviana, meaning 'alive' or 'full of life.' The name has roots in early Christianity through Saint Bibiana (or Viviana), a…
Diane
French variation of Diana, Latin
"divine"
Like Joanne and Christine, middle-aged Diane has been overshadowed by the a-ending version of her name. Diane has a definite mid-century feel; it was a Top 20 name from 1946 to 1959. Though it has…
Desi
Short form of Desiree, French
"desired"
Desi makes Desiree a lot cuter and more boyish.
Blanche
French
"white"
Blanche, which originated as a nickname for a pale blonde and then became associated with the notion of purity, was in style a century ago, ranking in the double digits until 1920. She then had to…
Anabelle
French variation of Annabelle
This version of the name with only one n does not have nearly the popularity of its sister. Unless you have a particular aversion to the fourteenth letter of the alphabet, it may be best to stick…
Alouette
French
"lark"
Alouette is a sweet Gallic twist in the stylish bird name genre made familiar via the charming French children's song, Alouette, gentile alouette .
Agate
French, a semiprecious stone, or variation of Agatha
Though it's French, most Americans would pronounce it as the stone.
Dimanche
French
"Sunday"
Pleasant-sounding word that could morph into a unique Sunday-picnic-type name.
Dior
French surname
"golden"
Dior has joined Chanel and Armani on the fashionista hit parade of names, appealing due to its designer quality, its succinct sound, and contemporary air. Nearly 400 baby girls were named Dior in the…
Dominique
French, feminine variation of Dominic, Latin
"belonging to a lord"
Had a surge of popularity in the Dynasty days, now has subsided in the wake of fresher French choices like Destry and Delphine, though it retains its sense of sophistication. It's one of the most…
Desirée
French
"desired"
Desired and chosen by many, despite (or because of) its sensual image, Désiree could also be linked to wanting or wishing for something. more generally. As a spiritual name, it connotes a desire to…