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French Names that Start With O

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
  1. Ottilie

    • Origin:

      German, French

    • Meaning:

      "prosperous in battle"

    • Description:

      Ottilie is trending in the UK, where the pronounced T helps the name sound pretty and delicate, rather like Amelie and Elodie. Ottilie is less popular in the US, where many Americans pronounce it as a near-homonym for "oddly".
  2. Odette

    • Origin:

      French, from German

    • Meaning:

      "wealthy"

    • Description:

      Odette is the good swan in Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake, a role for which Natalie Portman won an Oscar ---and it would make a particularly soigne, sophisticated yet upbeat choice, unlike some of the more dated other 'ette'-ending names.
  3. Ottoline

    • Origin:

      French and English, diminutive of Ottolie

    • Meaning:

      "prospers in battle"

    • Description:

      Curiously appealing, in a hoop-skirted, wasp-waisted way, Ottoline has recently entered the realm of modern possibility, especially since Sienna Miller chose it as the middle name of her daughter Marlowe.
  4. Odile

    • Origin:

      French variation of German Otthild

    • Meaning:

      "prospers in battle"

    • Description:

      Odette's evil Swan Lake twin -- gives the name a sinuous, sensuous appeal.
  5. Oceane

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "ocean"

    • Description:

      Oceane (oh-see-EN) has been one of the chicest names in France for several years, ranking in the French Top 50. This is a sophisticated name that could easily cross the ocean, and is much more stylish than the English Ocean or Oceana.
  6. Oriane

    • Origin:

      Latin via French

    • Meaning:

      "sunrise"

    • Description:

      A particularly beautiful member of the Orane/Oriana clan, Oriane is the first name of a major character in Proust's In Search Of Lost Time, the Duchesse de Guermantes.
  7. Olivier

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "olive tree"

    • Description:

      More and more frequently heard as the Gallic version of Oliver, Olivier could be seen as a tribute to the great British actor, Sir Laurence O.
  8. Orville

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "gold town"

    • Description:

      Only if you're an aviation buff or seriously addicted to popcorn.
  9. Odilia

    • Origin:

      Germanic

    • Meaning:

      "wealth, fortune"

    • Description:

      Though it has never charted in the United States, this frilly name has the elements some brave, modern namers might find attractive—namely, the initial O and the -ia suffix.
  10. Ophelie

    • Origin:

      French variation of Ophelia

    • Meaning:

      "help"

    • Description:

      Though this name properly takes an accent over the first e, most Americans would probably have trouble pronouncing it with French elan.
  11. Owain

    • Origin:

      Welsh variation of Eugene

    • Meaning:

      "born of sheep"

    • Description:

      Owain is much more unusual than its brother name Owen, and feels a little more rugged, a little more adventurous and ancient.
  12. Ophélie

    • Description:

      French variation of Ophelia that might make that lovely-and-haunted name feel more viable, yet there will be inevitable pronunciation issues.
  13. Orly

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      A cute Hebrew name also written as Orli.
  14. Odalis

    • Origin:

      French word Odalisque

    • Meaning:

      "chambermaid; concubine"

    • Description:

      As with the more popular variant Odalys, this is a name which should be avoided due to its connection to Ottoman Empire harems and concubines. May we suggest Odette, Odelie, Odessa or Lyssa as better alternatives?
  15. Oralie

    • Origin:

      French variation of Aurelia

    • Description:

      Better go to the original Aurelia or Aurelie, if only for its similarity to the ord 'orally.' In pop culture, Oralie is a Pokemon name.
  16. Odetta

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "wealthy"

    • Description:

      The memorable folk singer, an early single-name celeb, brought this into the spotlight. The French variation is Odette.
  17. Obéron

    • Description:

      Obéron is a masculine name derived from Auberon, the French form of Alberich, a Germanic name meaning 'elf ruler' or 'king of the elves.' Most famously, Oberon appears in medieval and Renaissance literature as the king of the fairies in Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' The addition of the accent in Obéron gives the name a distinctly French flair. This enchanting name carries magical and mystical associations, connecting the bearer to a rich tradition of folklore and literary fantasy. Though relatively uncommon as a given name, Obéron offers a majestic quality with its mythological heritage and regal connotations.
  18. Octave

    • Origin:

      French form of Octavius

    • Description:

      Octave shortens Octavius to a more manageable length, keeping the "eighth" meaning. In English speaking countries, however, people could easily confuse this with the musical term octave.
  19. Ouen

    • Description:

      Ouen is a masculine name with medieval French origins, derived from the Latin name Audoenus or Eugene, ultimately meaning 'well-born' or 'noble.' Historically, Saint Ouen was a 7th-century French bishop and statesman, giving the name religious significance. In Wales and Brittany, similar forms of the name have been used, connecting it to Celtic traditions. Ouen has a distinctive single-syllable pronunciation that varies slightly across cultures (often 'oo-en' or 'owen'). While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it maintains some usage in France and regions with French influence. The name combines historical depth with a concise, modern feel, appealing to parents seeking names with both cultural significance and simplicity.

  20. Olympe

    • Origin:

      French variation of Olympia