French Names that Start With G
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
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- Genevieve
Origin:
English from FrenchMeaning:
"tribe woman"Description:
Genevieve is derived from the Germanic medieval name Genovefa, or Kenowefa, which consists of the elements kuni, meaning "kin", and wefa, meaning "woman." The medieval saint Genevieve, patroness of Paris, defended the city against Attila the Hun through her rational thinking, courage and prayer.
- Guy
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"wood"Description:
The patron saint of comedians and dancers (also known as St Vitus) has a name that is both the ultimate everyman, and has a hint of British aristocracy. In the States, Guy was most popular in the 1950s. Now he hovers steadily below the Top 1000, in the sweet spot of familiar but not overused. With the meteoric rise of Kai, Guy may have potential with parents looking for a more classic name with a similar sound.
- Gage
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"oath, pledge"Description:
Gage was part of the craze for one-syllable surnames, with associations to tasty green gage plums and the mathematical gauge.
- Gabrielle
Origin:
French, feminine variation of Gabriel, HebrewMeaning:
"God is my Strength"Description:
The quintessentially elegant and worldly Gabrielle -- designer Coco Chanel's real name -- is on its descent after years on the rise.
- Gigi
Origin:
French diminutiveDescription:
Joining the likes of Coco and Fifi, Gigi has a style but some may feel it lacks substance. Model and TV personality Gigi Hadid (born Jelena) has likely drawn attention to this name, while designer Cynthia Rowley may have inspired parents to use it as a given name by choosing it for her daughter.
- Geraldine
Origin:
German and French, feminine variation of GeraldMeaning:
"ruler with the spear"Description:
Though twin brother Gerald is still in baby name limbo, Geraldine is in line to follow the path of Josephine to imminent revival—even though Gerry is not as spunky a nickname as Josie.
- Geneva
Origin:
Swiss place-name or FrenchMeaning:
"juniper tree"Description:
Unlike its somewhat formal Swiss city namesake, this is a lively and appealing place-name that also has a real history as a female name.
- Gaston
Origin:
French from GermanMeaning:
"the foreigner, the guest"Description:
Depending on your cultural references, you may think of Phantom of the Opera author Gaston Leroux, or the macho villain of Beauty and the Beast. While he's hardly a role model (unless you too use antlers in all of your decorating), his name was likely chosen because it's a classic in France. It's been used there since the middle ages, partly in honor of the Frankish bishop St Gaston. It went out of style in France mid-century, but now it's having a revival, entering the Top 300 in 2017.
- Gui
Origin:
Short form of Guillermo, Spanish form of WilliamMeaning:
"resolute protection"Description:
It's tempting to think of Gui as the Spanish form of Guy, but it's short for Guillermo.
- Geoffrey
Origin:
Anglo-Saxon from FrenchMeaning:
"pledge of peace"Description:
In the US, this spelling is less common than mid-century favorite Jeffrey, and it has faded from popularity faster. This more British spelling is the usual form for historical figures like Geoffrey Chaucer and the Welsh historian Geoffrey of Monmouth, and as such it may feel more rooted and enduring.
- Ghislaine
Origin:
French from GermanMeaning:
"pledge"Description:
Ghislaine still sounds unusual to us, even though in France this name is dated. It can also be spelled Ghislain.
- Gaspard
Origin:
French variation of Jasper, PersianMeaning:
"bringer of treasure"Description:
Jasper is an internationally-popular name that takes many forms, among them Casper, Gaspar, and the French version Gaspard. Virtually unknown in the US, Gaspard is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France.
- Georgette
Origin:
French, feminine variation of GeorgeDescription:
Has a musty 1940s feel. Try Georgia -- or Georgiana.
- Gilles
Description:
Gilles is a French masculine name derived from the Latin name Aegidius, which means 'shield' or 'young goat'. Popular throughout medieval France, Gilles became associated with the 7th-century hermit Saint Gilles (Saint Aegidius), who was counted among the Fourteen Holy Helpers. The name is pronounced 'zheel' in French, with a soft 'g' sound. While common in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec, Gilles remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries. Notable bearers include French ballet dancer Gilles Guilbert and Canadian hockey player Gilles Meloche. The name carries associations of French culture and heritage while offering an elegant alternative to the more familiar English form, Giles.
- Gisele
Description:
The French variation of Giselle was made famous by the spectacular Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
- Gable
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"triangular feature in architecture"Description:
The iconic Gone With the Wind star Clark's surname was brought into the first-name mix when Weeds' Kevin Nealon picked it for his son. Gable makes a strong and unusual possibility, a rhyming cousin to Abel and Mabel.
- Gay
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"joyful"Description:
The meaning of this word flipped from "cheerful" to "homosexual" during the twentieth century, and it's now almost certainly too loaded to sit comfortably as a baby name. Which is a shame as sound-wise it's very appealing, just a short step away from Faye, May, and Rae.
- Gaby
Description:
Gaby is a warm, approachable feminine name typically used as a shortened form of Gabrielle or Gabriela, names derived from Hebrew meaning 'God is my strength.' This friendly diminutive has gained popularity as a standalone name, embracing the modern trend toward casual, accessible naming. Gaby carries an international appeal, being recognizable across many European and Latin American cultures. The name conveys a friendly, unpretentious personality while maintaining a connection to its more formal origins. With its soft sounds and easy pronunciation, Gaby balances femininity with a certain casual confidence. It's become a popular choice for parents seeking names that feel both familiar and contemporary.
- Garnet
Origin:
Jewel name, from the FrenchMeaning:
"pomegranate"Description:
One of the jewel names in use a hundred years ago, due for revival along with sisters Ruby and Pearl.
- Guillaume
Origin:
French variation of William, GermanMeaning:
"resolute protection"Description:
An everyday name in France, a charismatic possibility elsewhere, Guillaume is a French form of the classic Germanic William. It's heyday was back in the 1980s and 90s, when it ranked in the French Top 10 and the Belgium and Quebec Top 20, though more recent years have seen it drop from the popularity charts.
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