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French Girl Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

  1. Marielle

    • Origin:

      Dutch and French diminutive of Mary

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

    • Description:

      Popular in France in the 60s, Marielle is one of many international variations and diminutives of Mary. While actress and author Mariel Hemingway made us aware of the more abbreviated spelling — which is currently the more popular option in the US — this longer, elegant form saw increased interest in a recent year, when it was chosen for 115 girls.
  2. Severine

    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Severus; Latin

    • Meaning:

      "stern"

    • Description:

      This long-popular name in France sounds fresh, elegant and unusual here. Severine is the name of the most recent gorgeous James Bond Girl in the film Skyfall. Students of film history will associate the name with the complex character Catherine Deneuve played in the 1967 Bunuel classic, Belle de Jour..
  3. Justine

    • Origin:

      French feminine variation of Justin

    • Meaning:

      "fair, righteous"

    • Description:

      Justine is a French name that's never reached the popularity we think it deserves. Like its far-more-common brother Justin, Justine is sleek, and sophisticated, but still user-friendly.
  4. Esmé

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "esteemed, beloved"

    • Description:

      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 concept of esteem, it was originally a male name exported from France to Scotland via a member of the royal family.

      A current favorite among celebs, including Samantha Morton, Michael J. Fox and Katey Sagal. Esme got a lot of publicity via the character Esme Cullen, the vampire matriarch of the Olympic Coven in the Twilight Saga.

  5. Arlette

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "noble, honor"

    • Description:

      Arlette is a French form of the Germanic name Herleva, which was the name of the mother of William the Conqueror. It peaked in France in the mid-1930s, but you might be surprised to learn that in the US, it's only just beginning to catch on now. It entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2018, and has dipped in and out in the years since then.
  6. Oriane

    • Origin:

      Latin via French

    • Meaning:

      "sunrise; gold"

    • Description:

      A particularly beautiful member of the Oriana and Orane clan,Oriane is the first name of a major character in Proust's In Search Of Lost Time, the Duchesse de Guermantes. Also borne by climber Oriane Bertone, the name may derive from the Latin aurum meaning "gold" or from oriens meaning "rising, sunrise". It was give to just 8 girls in a recent year in the US, but was a popular choice in France in the 2000s.
  7. Solange

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "solemn"

    • Description:

      This is a soft, soignée French girls' namethat has become familiar here via singer Solange Knowles, younger sister of Beyonce.
  8. Sigourney

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "daring king"

    • Description:

      Actress Sigourney -- born Susan -- Weaver made this unusual name (which she found in The Great Gatsby) famous, if not popular.
  9. Cerise

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "cherry"

    • Description:

      Infinitely preferable to the tease-inspiring English version of the word.
  10. Prue

    • Origin:

      Short form of Prudence, English virtue name

    • Meaning:

      "caution"

    • Description:

      After a long time in limbo, Prudence is now so clunky it'a cool, and it's starting to make a comeback, along with other Puritan virtue names like Mercy, Patience, and Constance.
  11. Cecile

    • Origin:

      French feminine form of Cecil

    • Meaning:

      "blind"

    • Description:

      Cecile is a fairly common French saint's name, scattered throughout classic French literature--in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, in Balzac's Cousin Pons, and Zola's Germinal.
  12. Marguerite

    • Origin:

      French variation of Margaret; also a flower name

    • Meaning:

      "pearl; daisy"

    • Description:

      Marguerite is a classic French name with a remnant of old-fashioned Gallic charm; and is also a variety of daisy. Chic again in Paris, it's definitely ripe for revival here.
  13. Angeline

    • Origin:

      French variation of Angela

    • Meaning:

      "angel"

    • Description:

      With Angelina becoming so popular thanks to Ms. Jolie, this could be a new twist—but everyone will always misunderstand it as Angelina. While it currently ranks at Number 951 in the US, it's Number 352 in France.
  14. Lune

    • Description:

      Lune is a delicate feminine name derived from the French word for 'moon.' With Latin origins in 'luna,' this name carries celestial associations and evokes images of moonlight and nighttime serenity. Though rare in English-speaking countries, Lune has occasional usage in France and among parents drawn to French-inspired names. The name's single-syllable simplicity belies its rich poetic qualities and mythological connections—the moon being associated with feminine energy in many cultures. Lune offers a subtle alternative to the more common Luna while maintaining the same ethereal qualities. Its brevity, elegant sound, and meaningful connection to the night sky make it appealing for parents seeking something both simple and evocative.

  15. Lucie

    • Origin:

      French, English

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      The French spelling of Lucy feels particularly light and shimmery.
  16. Monique

    • Origin:

      French variation of Monica

    • Meaning:

      "advisor"

    • Description:

      The sort of oh-so-French name that's falling out of favor now.
  17. Amalie

    • Origin:

      Danish, Norwegian, and German form of Amalia or Amelia

    • Meaning:

      "work"

    • Description:

      Popular in Norway and Denmark, but familiar across Europe, Amalie can be pronounced as a-MAHL-yah, much like sister Amalia. A variation of Amelia, it shares the same Germanic element, amal meaning "vigorous, unceasing, work".
  18. Landry

    • Origin:

      French and English

    • Meaning:

      "ruler"

    • Description:

      Landry is one rising surname name, often after legendary Dallas Cowboys football coach Tom Landry, that is given to boys and girls. But the y ending does give it a feminine sound (as opposed to the more boyish and more popular Landon). Land is a Landry nickname that might work for boys or girls.
  19. Isaline

    • Origin:

      French variation of Isabelle

    • Description:

      A trendy name in France, sometimes also spelled Ysaline, that's related to both Isabelle and Iseult. To the American ear, it freshens up Isabelle without really improving on it.
  20. Veronique

    • Origin:

      French form of Veronica

    • Meaning:

      "true image"

    • Description:

      Veronica seems poised to rise again, along with many other V names, and with it may follow this more romantic French version.