International Baby Names · Nature, Place and Word Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
French
"honey"
A sweet way—literally—to honor a Melissa or a Pamela.
"darling"
The kind of French word name that seemed daring and darling in the 50s and 60s when it was at its peak, Cherie had actually made debut in the US charts back in 1927 when it followed alternative and…
"solar"
An intriguing French word and surname, Solaire has a hint of aristocratic ruggedness and plenty of flair. Translating to "solar", it is unlikely to be used within France itself, however, it has seen…
"flower"
Fleur is a generic, delicate flower name that emigrated into the English-speaking world when John Galsworthy bestowed it on one of the Forsytes in his celebrated saga. More recently, there was Fleur…
"victory"
Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.
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.…
"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.
Lune is a delicate feminine name derived from the French word for 'moon.' With Latin origins in 'luna,' this name carries celestial associations and evokes images of moonlight and nighttime serenity.…
Chaton is an uncommon masculine name with French linguistic roots, where 'chaton' literally means 'kitten.' As a given name, it has been adopted for its gentle sound and endearing association. While…
"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 .
French, word name
Ambrette is the name of a French dessert pear, and also a West Indian hibiscus seed.
French word name
"fabric with white weft and colored warp"
Derived from French, Chambray is the name of a smooth, light, colored fabric, interwoven with white thread. It took its name from its place of origin, Cambrai (originally Cambray) in the north of…
"gift"
Cadeau puts a decidedly French-ified twist on the word name trend, but don't be surprised if you encounter ponies and poodles with the same moniker.
"brown"
Bonté is a feminine name of French origin meaning 'goodness' or 'kindness.' This virtue name directly embodies positive moral qualities, making it meaningful and aspirational. The accent mark gives…
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…
French variation of Amber, English word name
In the US Amber is stuck in the '80s, while Ambre is a fresh choice in France.
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…
"Girls Gone Child" blogger Rebecca Woolf made Boheme a first name when she gave it to one of her twin daughters (the other one's name is Reverie). La Boheme -- "The Bohemian" -- is a Puccini opera…
