International Baby Names · Nature, Place and Word Names
French Word Names
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If you're on a quest for truly distinctive French names beyond Charlotte and Charles, we recommend looking toward French words for inspiration. International word names combine two of today's coolest trends and can give your child a one-of-a-kind identity.
You could go with a classic French word name such as Belle or Beau, which both mean "pretty" or "beautiful."
Along with Belle and Beau, other French word names in the US Top 1000 include Elle, Jolie, Maison, and Talon. In France, word names such as Ambre, Victoire, Baptiste, Basile, and Océane are among the top baby names.
We combed our own dictionnaires for French words that could make perfectly appropriate, attractive baby names. But no reason to stop here--consider words from the language of your own ethnic background, be it Czech or Chinese, and add them to the list of your personal possibilities.
Here, some French baby names fashioned from French words for your consideration.
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The names
Beau
French
"handsome"
Beau suggests someone devilishly handsome, with a large measure of southern charm—a nice image to bestow on your boy. Often solely a nickname in the past, it's now standing firmly on its own. Beau…
Elle
French
"she"
Combine the charming heroine of the movie Legally Blonde with supermodel Elle Macpherson and the trend toward all names beginning with "el"—Ellie, Ella, Eleanor—and you have one hit name. Elle Driver…
Soleil
French
"sun"
An attractive French word name known here via former child TV star Soleil Moon Frye, aka Punky Brewster. It started to be lightly used in the U.S. in the 1920s and is now attracting some attention as…
Violette
French
"purple"
Now that Violet is becoming more popular, parents are starting to explore same-but-different options such as the French Violette, which would properly be pronounced with a long e sound in the first…
Ambre
French variation of Amber, English word name
In the US Amber is stuck in the '80s, while Ambre is a fresh choice in France.
Ambrette
French, word name
Ambrette is the name of a French dessert pear, and also a West Indian hibiscus seed.
Alizé
Alizé is a feminine name of French origin, inspired by the natural world. It refers to the trade winds, specifically the 'alizés' - warm tropical breezes that blow steadily from east to west. The…
Armistice
French word name
"truce, ceasefire"
Armistice is an unusual word name with a meaning that's both militaristic and peaceful. It refers to a ceasefire, temporary or permanent, by agreement in wartime. Armistice Day in celebrated on the…
Amande
Amande is a delicate feminine name with French origins, derived from 'amandier' meaning 'almond tree.' It's closely related to the name Amanda, which comes from the Latin 'amanda' meaning 'worthy of…
Atlantique
Atlantique is a rare feminine name of French origin, inspired by the Atlantic Ocean. The name evokes images of vast, powerful waters and carries a sense of mystery and depth. While uncommon as a…
Aurore
Aurore is a feminine name of Latin origin meaning 'dawn.' It's the French form of Aurora, the Roman goddess of the morning. The name evokes images of daybreak, new beginnings, and golden light. In…
Avril
French
"April"
The French Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne put the spotlight on this name when she made the charts with "Sk8er Boi". It is simply the French form of April, the fourth month of the year, whose name…
Baptiste
French
"baptist"
Traditionally used by the ultrareligious, the French boys' name Baptiste comes from the Greek word meaning "to dip". Baptiste is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France .
Basile
French variation of Basil
"regal"
Herby and aristocratic Basil remains a tough sell, but we’d like to introduce you to Basile, the delightful French version. It retains all of Basil’s charm, but sheds some of the pesto linkage.…
Belle
Short form of Isabelle or French
"beautiful"
Belle has nothing but positive associations, from "belle of the ball" to "Southern belle" to the heroine of Disney's Beauty and the Beast . As if this weren't enough good things, Belle is also one of…
Anneau
French
"a ring"
Bechette
French
"little spade"
Pronounced Beshette, this unfamiliar French appellation sounds fresh and feminine.
Bichette
French
"little doe"
Charming Gallic possibility but with some obvious playground problems.
Bijou
French
"jewel"
Bijou is a name that lives up to its definition -- a real jewel. Warning: not unheard of on poodles' dog collars. Actress Bijou Phillips is its best known bearer. It can also be spelled Bijoux.
Amérique
Amérique is a feminine name derived directly from the French word for America. This uncommon name carries geographic significance, essentially naming a child after the continent. While place names…