French Names for Girls

Popular in France where it ranks in the Top 350, Naëlle is a feminine form of the (even more) popular boy name Naël. As such, it may also be considered a nickname for Gwenaëlle ("blessed and generous") and a feminine variation of Nathanaël ("gift of God").
 
Occasionally spelled without the accent too, it has been notably used by content creators David and Logan Klein.

Naëlle

A quietly used name among French speakers, Lydwine is a variation of Lidwina, itself a feminine form of Ludwin and Leutwin. These names are usually interpreted as meaning "friend of the people" or "people's friend", however, sometimes the first element is interpreted to mean "famous" instead. 
 
Pronounced as LID-WEEN in French (and as lid-WEE-nuh elsewhere), the name is associated with a 15th century Dutch saint and mystic, Lydwina of Schiedam, patron saint of chronic pain and ice-skating.

Lydwine

A diminutive or feminine form of Russell, Russie has an autumnal, rugged air. Used occasionally in the 20th-century, Russie could fit with the likes of Rusty, Stevie, Dusty, and Freddie.

Russie

A surname choice with French flair, Fontaine has been appearing sporadically in the US stats since the 1920s, predominantly for boys, but also for a small number of girls. Pronounced as FAW(N)-TEHN in France (with a barely there first -n sound) and as fohn-TAYN in English (first syllable to rhyme with John), it appears in the names of several places in France and has also been notably borne by Hollywood Golden Age actress, Joan Fontaine. 
 
Given to 7 boys in the most recent year, it hasn't appeared in the US stats for girls since the 90s.

Fontaine

Boyish nicknames are back in style for girls, and Nate is one of the more unusual entries in the Billie & Frankie club. While a short form of Natalie would more likely be Nat, Nate can definitely work.

Nate

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

Bringing to mind a luxury hotel group and a type of cabbage, Savoy was also the name of a historic region of Europe. Derived from the Latin sappinus via the French Savoie, it means "fir (tree)", and has been appearing sporadically in the US stats since the 20th-century. Predominantly given to boys (in small numbers), it has very occasionally ranked for girls too.

Savoy

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.

Chastin

Predominantly used for boys in France and beyond, Thierry has appeared in the US charts for girls sporadically since the 2000s, likely because of its -y ending and visual similarities to Kerry, Terry, Cherry, and similar. Derived from the Germanic Theodoric (not related to the familiar Theodore), it is pronounced as TYEH-REE in French, but sometimes as tee-air-ree in English. 



Thierry

Typically used as a masculine name, Rainier is a relative of Rayner that also appears on the map as a mountain in Washington state. Given to a handful of girls across the 2010s and 2020s, Rainier can be said as REH-NYEH in French and as ray-NEER in American English. 




Rainier

A distinctive and boldly religious choice, Immaculee is a variation of the Spanish Inmaculada. Used to celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, this form is used (albeit rarely) among French speakers. It may also be spelled as Immaculée, as in the case of Rwandan writer Immaculée Ilibagiza.

Immaculee

Ultimately from the Roman Victor, Victorene is a French and Norman feminine form of Victorinus. Less popular than the Victorine spelling which ranked in the French charts in the 2000s, Victorene was occasionally used in the 60s. 

Victorene

A poetic choice that may appeal to those who like Esmé but also the likes of Guinevere, Isolde, and Eluned, Esmerée is the name of a beautiful princess of Wales in Arthurian legend. The character appears in the French poem Le Bel Inconnu written by Renaut de Bâgé in the 12th-century.
 
Also written as Esmeree, Esmerée likely comes from the Old French esmer, meaning "to love; respect", though some sources do suggest it might come from Esmeraude, meaning "emerald".

Esmerée

As a masculine name, Persey might well be used as a Bulgarian and Russian form of Perseus, however, as a feminine choice, it's more likely to derive from the name of the Greek goddess of the Spring and the Underworld, Persephone. Alternatively, it may be used as a gender-neutral form of Percy, itself adapted from a French place name, Perci-en-Auge, meaning "one who pierces the valley".

Persey

A rare compound name, mixing the classic, grounded Marie with the celestial and wordy Lune, Marilune could give you the poetic means of "beloved moon", "drop of the sea and moon", or perhaps "Mary of the moon", in reference to the Virgin Mary. Similar in flow to Marilyn, Marianne, and Madeline, it could make an undiscovered choice, especially in the middle spot.
 
Mariluna is a similar choice, and more popularly used in Latin America and The Philippines.

Marilune

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

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

Also spelled as Annick, this French name is a succinct form of the Breton Annaig, itself a diminutive of classic Anna. It was popular in the 1930s and 40s in France, though never as popular as Annick. 
 
A notable bearer is ice hockey player Annic Buchi.

Annic

Also spelled as Emerence, Émerence, Emérence, and Émérance, this French name ultimately comes from the Latin Emerentius, meaning "to deserve". With the possibility of nickname Emmy and a virtuous meaning, it makes an alluring choice.
 
A notable bearer is Canadian ice hockey player Emerance Maschmeyer.

Emerance

Predominantly used in Southern Belgium by Walloon speakers, Lilise is a light and airy diminutive of Elise (or similar). Sweet but full of energy, Lilise may be appreciated by fans of Lilou, Lilias, Lisette, and Cerise. 

Lilise

French names for baby girls have always had a chic appeal for parents far from Paris. French names for girls are led today by Charlotte, one of the top girl names in the US, French Quebec, the British Isles, Australia, and New Zealand. 

 that rank in the US Top 200 include Eloise and Elodie, Caroline, Claire, Josephine, Natalie, Sophie, Sydney, and Valerie. French names for girls trending in the US include Remi and Remy, Juliet and Juliette, Margo and Margot, Esme, and Adele.

French names popular for baby girls in France

 include Louise — a common middle name in the US — Camille, Manon, and Lilou. Other top French names for girls around the world include Arielle, Belle, Eloise, Gabrielle, Juliette, and Vivienne.

 gaining new attention in the US, France, and internationally include Darcy, Delphine, Fleur, Ottilie, Romilly, and Sylvie.

Browse our full collection of French girl names here. The names are ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry, which is updated monthly.

French names for baby girls, ordered by popularity with meanings, including top French girl names in the US and France such as Eloise and Charlotte along with unique French. names for girls such as Olympiad and Maurelle.  (Page 27)

French Girl Names (with Meanings & Popularity)