French Names that Start With D

  1. Desi
    • Origin:

      Short form of Desiree, French
    • Meaning:

      "desired"
    • Description:

      Desi makes Desiree a lot cuter and more boyish.
  2. 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.
  3. Denis
    • Origin:

      French from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "god of Nysa"
    • Description:

      While Dennis may be more familiar to English speakers, Denis, or sometimes Denys, were the original medieval French forms of the name. Ultimately derived from Dionysius, the Greek god of wine and debauchery, it is a saint's name, popular in France during the Middle Ages, and during the 60s.
  4. Dulé
    • Origin:

      French, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      Talented Jamaican-American actor Dule (born Karim Dule) Hill introduced this name, suggested by an aunt who'd heard it in France. Pronounced doo-lay.
  5. Dulcette
    • Description:

      Dulcette is a feminine name derived from Latin roots, specifically from 'dulcis' meaning 'sweet' or 'gentle.' It functions as a diminutive form of Dulce, with the French-influenced '-ette' suffix adding a sense of delicacy. The name evokes qualities of sweetness, charm, and grace. Though relatively uncommon in modern usage, Dulcette has an inherent musicality that connects it to musical terminology, where 'dulcet' describes pleasant, melodious sounds. The name carries romantic, old-world connotations while maintaining a distinctive quality. Parents might choose this name for its elegant sound, positive meaning, and the gentle personality it suggests for a daughter.
  6. 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.

  7. 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.
  8. Dougray
    • Origin:

      French surname
    • Description:

      Scottish actor Dougray (born Stephen) Scott made us aware of this name when he took on his French grandmother's surname as his stage name.
  9. Domitille
    • Origin:

      French feminine variation of Roman family name Domitius, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "tamed"
    • Description:

      Domitille is the French form of the ancient royal name Domitilla. Domitille is used today, and was in the French Top 500 during the 2000s. While English speakers might say it as dom-ih-till or dom-ih-teel, in French, it would be DAW-MEE-TEE. Either way, it could be an interesting way to nickname Dottie.
  10. Drury
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "dear one, sweetheart"
    • Description:

      Rhythmic and energetic, Drury is of French origin, with the wonderful meaning of "dear one, sweetheart."
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. Descartes
    • Origin:

      French surname
    • Meaning:

      "dweller at the outskirts of town"
    • Description:

      Highly unlikely philosophical choice.
  14. Dominique
    • Origin:

      French form of Dominic, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "belonging to the lord"
    • Description:

      Unisex option Dominique peaked for boys at Number 170 in 1991, perhaps due to the popularity of basketball player Dominique Wilkins. While it has now fallen out of the popularity charts in both the US and its native France, it was still given to around 140 boys and 60 girls in a recent year. This makes it a truly gender-neutral baby name, joining the ranks with - yet standing out from - the likes of Charlie, Rowan, Parker, and Sevyn.
  15. Darrell
    • Origin:

      English from Norman 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.
  16. Danelle
    • Description:

      Danelle is a feminine name that emerged as a modern variation of Danielle, the feminine form of Daniel, which comes from Hebrew meaning 'God is my judge.' Gaining some recognition in the United States during the mid-20th century, Danelle reached its peak popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. It offers a slight twist on the more common Danielle, providing uniqueness while maintaining familiar pronunciation and origins. The name has a gentle, melodic quality with its soft ending. While never extremely common, Danelle appeals to parents seeking a name that sounds contemporary yet established, with a subtle distinction from more widely used names.
  17. Danial
    • Description:

      Danial is a variant spelling of Daniel, a masculine name with ancient Hebrew origins meaning 'God is my judge.' This alternate spelling maintains the same pronunciation while offering a slightly distinctive written form. The biblical Daniel was known for his wisdom and interpretation of dreams, particularly in the lion's den story, giving the name strong religious associations across Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Danial has been consistently used throughout history but remains less common than the traditional spelling. While especially popular in Muslim communities as a form of the Arabic Danyal (دانيال), this spelling variant appears across various cultures. The name conveys qualities of wisdom, faith, and integrity, regardless of its spelling.
  18. Delmore
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "of the sea"
    • Description:

      An undiscovered gem with clunky, buttoned-up appeal and a literary feel thanks to poet Delmore Schwartz.
  19. Dimanche
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "Sunday"
    • Description:

      Pleasant-sounding word that could morph into a unique Sunday-picnic-type name.
  20. Danique
    • Origin:

      French variation of Danica
    • Meaning:

      "morning star"
    • Description:

      This Danielle/Monique hybrid offers a new twist on an old favorite.

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