French Names that Start With N

To some, Nancy is a sweet, sparkly, vintage choice with plenty of energy and style. For it strays too much into '"old-lady" territory to be cool again yet. It's out of fashion in France, New Zealand, and Canada; it lingers towards to bottom of the US charts. In the UK however, Nancy has been a Top 100 name for nearly a decade where it fits right in with Evie, Mabel, and Pippa.

Nicole was derived from Nicholas, the English variation of the Greek Nikolaos, composed of the compounds nike, meaning "victory," and laos, "people." The variation Nicole arose in the Middle Ages in France to honor St. Nicholas. Names related to Nicole include Colette, Nicolette, Nika, Nicola, and Nicolina.

Noelle is the feminine variation of Noël, a masculine given name derived from the French word for "Christmas." As a word, Noël originated as a variant of nael, which evolved from the Latin natalis, meaning "birth." Noelle and Noel have traditionally been given to children born around Christmastime, particularly in the Middle ages.

Natalie — a Franco-Russian name — became Americanized years ago and is one of those surprising names that's always ranked among the girls' Top 1000 names in the US.

Part of the vogue for French-sounding names in the 1920s and 30s, Nadine has been replaced by the Russian sound of Nadia and Natasha.

Nicolette is the ultra-feminine name of an enchanting princess in the medieval French romance, Aucassin et Nicolette, a name that got stacks of publicity in the heyday of Desperate Housewives and its star Nicolette Sheridan. It was also the name of Chloe Sevigny's character in Big Love.

Noel is British, fey, and sophisticated, connoting wit and creativity, much like namesake Noel Coward. Noel has also been a character on Felicity and Pretty Little Liars. Thanks to their association with Christmas, Noel and Noelle make ideal names for December babies and names for Christmas babies.

More often used in Britain than here, where most names ending in ville fall into the unthinkable class, this might make an exception via fans of the musical Neville Brothers.

Particularly pretty French version of the biblical standard.

Noel, the French word for Christmas has been given to both boys and girls born on that holiday since the Middle Ages. For girls it's often spelled Noelle.

A French variation of Natalie that's used occasionally in contemporary America. In England and Wales Natalie remains about 10 times as popular as Nathalie.

Sweet and charming French nickname for Anne, à la Manon for Marie.

If Joely (as in actress Richardson) is a name, why not Noely? As nickname-names become both more acceptable and more fashionable, Noely may be a fresh spin on one traditional name for Christmas babies.

Nathaniel is a wonderful classic name and Nathanael, which may be an ancient Greek or Hebrew form, is appealing and has gravitas but may prove needlessly confusing in the modern world.

Somehow more modern and likable than Morris or Doris.

Nicaise is a masculine name of French origin with historical roots dating back to early Christianity. Derived from the Greek 'nike' meaning 'victory,' it was borne by several early Christian saints, including a 3rd-century martyr who was Bishop of Reims. The name has maintained modest usage in French-speaking regions, particularly in Belgium, France, and parts of Canada, as well as in some African nations with French colonial influence. Nicaise carries an elegant, classical quality with its distinctive pronunciation (approximately nee-KAZE). While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it offers a refined alternative to more familiar names like Nicholas. The name conveys sophistication and historical depth while maintaining a gentle, approachable sound.

Noë is a masculine name derived from the biblical Noah, which comes from the Hebrew word meaning 'rest' or 'comfort.' This spelling variation is particularly common in French-speaking regions and parts of Western Europe. The dieresis over the 'e' (ë) indicates that the vowels are pronounced separately rather than as a diphthong, giving the name its distinctive two-syllable pronunciation (No-eh). Noë maintains the profound biblical significance of Noah, who built the ark and saved animal species from the great flood. Though less familiar in English-speaking countries, this variant offers a subtle, sophisticated European flair while preserving the name's ancient heritage and spiritual connections.

Nanine is a delicate feminine name with French origins, derived as a diminutive form of Anne or Nina. It essentially means 'grace' or 'favor,' inheriting this meaning from Anne's Hebrew roots. The name has a gentle, refined quality with its soft sounds and elegant construction. Nanine appears in literature, notably in Victor Hugo's works, which has helped maintain its cultural presence despite its rarity. While never achieving widespread popularity, Nanine has maintained a quiet presence in French-speaking regions and occasionally appears in other European countries. Its uncommon status makes it an appealing choice for parents seeking something feminine and classic yet not commonly used.

Nichele is a feminine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Nicole or Michele, blending elements of both these more common names. Derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning 'victory of the people,' Nicole has French origins while Michele is the Italian feminine form of Michael, meaning 'who is like God.' The spelling Nichele creates a distinctive twist on these classic names, potentially offering a unique identity while maintaining recognizable roots. The name has a modern feel with its creative spelling yet connects to traditional naming heritage. Though uncommon, Nichele would likely be pronounced similar to either 'ni-SHELL' or 'ni-KEEL' depending on the family's preference. The name retains the elegance of its root names while standing out as more distinctive.