French Names that Start With D

  1. Didier
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "desired, beloved"
    • Description:

      Didier is kind of a Desiree for boy--a lively, confident name that's widely used in France and has definite possibilities here. It's the name of an early French saint.
  2. Dabney
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "from Aubigny"
    • Description:

      Dapper-sounding choice with old American roots (Dabney Cosby was a 19th century Virginian architect who worked with Thomas Jefferson on some of that state's most iconic buildings). Dabney Montgomery was Martin Luther King Jr's bodyguard, giving this name yet more American history depth. Dab is a sweet nickname option for this name.
  3. Descartes
    • Origin:

      French surname
    • Meaning:

      "dweller at the outskirts of town"
    • Description:

      Highly unlikely philosophical choice.
  4. Delroy
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "servant of the king"
    • Description:

      One of the more subtle of the names with a royal meaning, Delroy has a vintage flavor and would be a distinctive choice today.
  5. Delancey
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "from Lancey"
    • Description:

      This is an energetic dance of an Irish surname, great for both genders. Could also be spelled Delancy.
  6. Darrell
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "dear one, beloved"
    • Description:

      Beach boy name of the 1960s, Darrell is still a presence on the charts and may graduate into a stately surname name.
  7. Dory
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      A Dorothy nickname name with a measure of nostalgic charm. Kids will associate it with the funny fish character voiced by Ellen DeGeneres in the Pixar animated instant classic Finding Nemo.
  8. Damica
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "open-spirited, friendly"
    • Description:

      Rarely heard but pleasing feminissima name for a baby girl.
  9. Dimanche
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "Sunday"
    • Description:

      Pleasant-sounding word that could morph into a unique Sunday-picnic-type name.
  10. D'artagnan
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "from Artagnan"
    • Description:

      The least usable of the Three Musketeers names.
  11. Desi
    • Origin:

      Short form of Desiree, French
    • Meaning:

      "desired"
    • Description:

      Desi makes Desiree a lot cuter and more boyish.
  12. Dione
    • Description:

      Dione is a masculine name with ancient Greek origins, though it's sometimes used for females as well. In Greek mythology, Dione was a Titaness who, in some accounts, was the mother of Aphrodite with Zeus. The name derives from 'Dios,' relating to Zeus or the divine. Despite its mythological weight, Dione has never been widely popular for boys but occasionally appears in classical or literary-minded families. It has a melodic quality with its flowing sounds and simple pronunciation. The name carries an air of classical sophistication and mythological significance. For male bearers, it offers a rare and distinctive option with historical depth. Its connection to ancient deities gives it a sense of strength and timelessness that appeals to parents drawn to names with mythological backgrounds.

  13. Dariela
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Darrell, French
    • Meaning:

      "dear one, beloved"
    • Description:

      Dariela may have a not-quite-authentic provenance, but it's a pretty name and an unusual choice in the girly Isabella-Gabriella group.
  14. Déja
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "already"
    • Description:

      Déja was a name sensation of the nineties, reaching the Top 15 in African-American popularity lists, but it has déja fallen far from those lofty heights.
  15. Danique
    • Origin:

      French variation of Danica
    • Meaning:

      "morning star"
    • Description:

      This Danielle/Monique hybrid offers a new twist on an old favorite.
  16. Desirée
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "desired"
    • Description:

      Desired and chosen by many, despite (or because of) its blatantly sensual image.
  17. Donatien
    • Description:

      Donatien is a masculine name of French origin derived from the Latin name Donatianus, which comes from 'donatus' meaning 'given' or 'gifted.' This sophisticated name carries aristocratic connotations in French culture and history. Perhaps its most famous bearer was the 18th-century French nobleman and writer Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade. The name has remained relatively uncommon outside French-speaking regions, giving it a distinctive and cultured quality. Donatien combines classical origins with a melodic French pronunciation, featuring the characteristic nasal ending that provides linguistic elegance. For parents seeking a name with historical depth and European refinement, Donatien offers a sophisticated alternative to the more common variant Donovan.

  18. Denis
    • Origin:

      French from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "god of Nysa"
  19. Duvall
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "of the valley"
    • Description:

      Old-timey surname that's been very rarely used.
  20. Denys
    • Origin:

      French from Greek, vernacular form of Dionysius; "god of Nysa"
    • Meaning:

      "god of Nysa"
    • Description:

      Alternative spelling of Dennis, and the usual transliteration from Ukrainian. Used (though rarely) for both sexes.