French Names that Start With O

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".

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Orianne is an elegant feminine name with roots in Latin and French traditions. It's believed to be a variation of Oriane, which itself derives from Latin 'oriens' meaning 'rising' or 'eastern,' suggesting connections to dawn or the rising sun. In medieval literature, Oriane was a princess in the Amadis de Gaula romance tales. The name gained some recognition through Orianne Cevey, the former wife of musician Phil Collins. With its sophisticated sound and uncommon status, Orianne balances uniqueness and accessibility. The name carries an artistic, somewhat exotic flair while remaining pronounceable in many languages. Though never reaching mainstream popularity, Orianne maintains steady appreciation among parents seeking a name with literary resonance and elegant feminine qualities.

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

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

Wildly popular name in France that could easily cross the Atlantic.

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.

A cute Hebrew name also written as Orli.