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French Names that Start With J

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
  1. Josephine

    • Origin:

      French feminine variation of Joseph, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"

    • Description:

      Josephine, with its large measure of class and character and a gently offbeat quality, has been on a gentle uphill climb in the US for over 30 years, now ranking in the Top 100. With an intriguing number of vivacious nicknames, from Jo to Josie to Fifi to Posy, Josephine is a Nameberry favorite.
  2. Juliet

    • Origin:

      English from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "youthful or sky father"

    • Description:

      One of the most romantic names, the lovely and stylish Juliet seems finally to have shaken off her limiting link to Romeo. In Shakespeare's play, it was Juliet who said "What's in a name?"
  3. Jacqueline

    • Origin:

      French, feminine diminutive of Jacques

    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"

    • Description:

      Jacqueline originated as a feminine form of Jacques, the French variation of James, and therefore Jacob. Jacob was ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Ya’aqov, and gets its meaning, "supplanter" from the story of Jacob supplanting his brother Esau as the first-born son in the Bible. Jacqueline was first used in France in the Middle Ages.
  4. Julie

    • Origin:

      French from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "youthful, sky father"

    • Description:

      Wildly popular in the 1960s and '70s, Julie is no longer anywhere near as stylish as the name's longer forms. Try Juliet, Juliana, or even the more grownup Julia.
  5. Juliette

    • Origin:

      French diminutive of Julia, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "youthful or sky father"

    • Description:

      Juliette, pronounced with the emphasis on the last syllable, adds a little something extra to Juliet. In the past years it has been rising up the chart.
  6. Jules

    • Origin:

      French form of Latin Julius

    • Meaning:

      "youthful; soft, downy"

    • Description:

      Though Jules hasn't been on the US popularity list in fifty years, it is a current hit in its native France—where it's currently in the Top 10—and we can definitely see it making a comeback here, being far more romantic than, say, Jim.
  7. Jean

    • Origin:

      French variation of John

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      One of the most enduring French names, this form of John has been borne by philosophers (Rousseau and Sartre), artists (Millet, Arp) and fashion designers (Gaultier) alike. Often used in a double name with the likes of Pierre, Paul, and Luc, it is a classic in its native country,
  8. Jolie

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "pretty"

    • Description:

      Jolie is as pretty as its literal meaning; nowadays it is also seen as a girls’ name, via Angelina for whom Jolie was originally her middle name.
  9. Julien

    • Origin:

      French from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "youthful, downy-bearded, or sky father"

    • Description:

      Julien is the handsome French form of Julian, which derives from Julius, a Roman family name. Its origin is shrouded in history, but possible roots include Latin iuvenis, meaning "youthfu"; Greek ioulos, meaning "downy-bearded"; or Jovis, a form of Jupiter, which means "sky father".
  10. 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.
  11. Josette

    • Origin:

      French,pet form of Josephine, feminine of Joseph, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"

    • Description:

      One of the group of French 'ette'-ending names that emigrated to this country in the last century, though never as popular as some others, such as Claudette and Paulette--it did have a little six-year flurry here between 1967 and 1973. Josette may be feminine and flirty, but, given the choice, most parents today would prefer Josephine.
  12. Joanne

    • Origin:

      French variation of Joanna, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      A Top 100 name from the 1930s all the way through the 1950s, it's now firmly in Mom -- or Grandma -- land and supplanted for babies by Joanna.....or even great-grandmother Josephine. In its heyday, it had a host of variations, including JoAnn and Jo-Anne.
  13. Jacque

    • Description:

      Jacque is a masculine name that serves as a French variant of Jacob, ultimately derived from Hebrew origins meaning 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.' While Jacques (with the 's') is the standard French form, Jacque represents a simplified spelling that maintains the French pronunciation. The name carries sophisticated European flair while remaining relatively easy to pronounce in English-speaking contexts. Jacque has seen moderate usage throughout the 20th century, particularly in French-influenced regions and families with French heritage. The name bridges classical biblical roots with Continental elegance, making it appealing to parents seeking a name with international appeal. Its combination of historical depth and stylish sound gives Jacque enduring charm despite never reaching mainstream popularity.

  14. Jeanne

    • Origin:

      French variation of Jean

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Pronounced just like Jean in the English-speaking world, but as the more unusual zhahn in France, this has sailed away with the first wave of French favorites: Denise, Michelle, et soeurs.
  15. Jacques

    • Origin:

      French variation of James and Jacob

    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"

    • Description:

      Regal and ancient feeling, Jacques has been declining in popularity in its native France, but in the UK, it saw a surprising revival in 2022. Jumping from somewhere around the #2500 mark straight to #600, it was seven times more popular than in 2021.
  16. Janine

    • Origin:

      French variation of Jane

    • Description:

      Has lost all trace of its French accent.
  17. Josue

    • Origin:

      French, Spanish and Portuguese variation of Joshua, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "the Lord is my salvation"

    • Description:

      Josue - usually written as Josué - is a French, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of Joshua that has been in the US Top 300 since 1990 and in the Top 1000 since the 70s. While it remains popular in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, in its native Spain, France, and Portugal, it has fallen slightly out of style.
  18. Julienne

    • Origin:

      French from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "youthful or sky father"

    • Description:

      Fine in France, but here it means vegetables sliced into thin strips.
  19. Jeter

    • Origin:

      French or German surname

    • Description:

      Jeter, which of course is used as a first name only because of Yankee star Derek, rhymes with Peter and may be derived from the French surname Jette, which was often bestowed on foundlings because it means "thrown out," or the German Jetter, an occupational name meaning "weeder." If your husband insists on Jeter, counter with Percival.
  20. Jeanette

    • Origin:

      French, diminutive of Jeanne

    • Description:

      Relic of a past period of French favorites, out to pasture with Claudette and Paulette.