French Word Names

Fraise is a delicate feminine name derived from the French word for 'strawberry,' bringing to mind the sweet, vibrant red fruit. This nature-inspired name carries connotations of sweetness, freshness, and natural beauty. Though uncommon as a given name in most countries, Fraise appeals to parents drawn to unique botanical names and French-inspired choices. Its single-syllable pronunciation in French (similar to 'frez') contrasts with the two-syllable English reading ('fray-z'), giving it different rhythmic qualities depending on pronunciation. The name evokes spring and summer seasons, suggesting a bright, cheerful personality. While rare in naming statistics, Fraise follows the trend of food and nature-inspired names gaining appreciation among parents seeking distinctive options with positive, tangible associations.

"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 that was transmogrified into the modern play Rent. Boheme means a literary or artistic person who lives outside conventional society.

A happy combination of several desirable genres: it's a word name, it has a foreign accent, and it has a highly virtuous meaning. And few other parents will be bold enough to choose it.

A sweet way—literally—to honor a Melissa or a Pamela.

Charming Gallic possibility but with some obvious playground problems.

Ambrette is the name of a French dessert pear, and also a West Indian hibiscus seed.

Fleurette is a delicate feminine name of French origin, derived from 'fleur' meaning 'flower,' with the diminutive suffix '-ette' adding a sense of daintiness—essentially meaning 'little flower.' This charming name evokes images of springtime blossoms and carries a distinctly romantic, vintage French aesthetic. While never achieving widespread popularity, Fleurette has maintained a consistent presence as a rare and elegant choice. The name reached modest recognition in the early 20th century, particularly in French-speaking regions and among Francophiles. Fleurette offers a more elaborate and sophisticated alternative to the simpler Flora or Fleur. With its unmistakably French character and botanical associations, Fleurette remains a graceful option for parents drawn to names with European flair and natural beauty.

The French word for firefly has a lot of potential as a baby name, with its similarity to Lucille, the cute nickname Lucy, and the adorable animal meaning. A French bearer of this name is the singer Luciole, born Lucile Gérard.

This botanical name, referring to the vivid deep red color and to the madder plant from which it derives, is almost unknown to English speakers. But it's been trending in France recently, reaching the Top 100.

Derived from the French word for "alone", Solitaire could have potential as a bold word name, thanks to its use on a character in the James Bond franchise and its similarity to the names Sol, Solomon, and Salvatore. While some may be put off by the potential loneliness in the meaning, others might associate it with independence instead .

Better for a perfume.

The French word for "twin," often used to refer to items found in pairs. Its plural form, jumelles, is the word for binoculars.

Unique, soft, and flowing.

The French word for marvel has a beautiful and elevated sound — pronounced "mair-VAY".

Predominantly used in French-speaking African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Cameroon, and Rwanda, Dieudonné combines the French words Dieu ("God") and donné ("given"), making this a spiritual choice. Also given to a handful of babies each year in the US, it is notably borne by Congolese footballer Dieudonné "Dieumerci" Mbokani.

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 commemorates the end of World War I.

A word name in several languages, Bluette is an arty sounding and colorful name. In French, it comes from beluette, translating to "little spark". It can then refer to a brief flash, a trace of something, an unimportant thing, or a short, straight forward novel. In Italian, it is a shade of blue, somewhere between electric and sky blue, while in English, it is occasionally used to refer to a book, a play, or a piece of music that is short, but witty and brilliant.

A French word name that could be a fresh spin on Summer or Autumn.