Unique French Girl Names

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.

Also spelled Gwénaëlle and Gwenaelle (outside of France), Gwenaëlle is the feminine form of Gwenaël, made up of the elements gwenn meaning blessed, and hael meaning "generous". While it fell out of style in France back in the 2000s, with the likes of Sylvie and Margot appealing in English speaking countries, Gwenaëlle might make an unexpected choice, an alternative to Noelle or Genevieve, and a way to nicknames Nell and Gwen.

Rosette is a delicate feminine name with French origins, functioning as a diminutive form of Rose. It literally means 'little rose,' referring to the small, rose-shaped decoration or ribbon formation. The name combines botanical beauty with artistic flair, conveying images of elegance and refinement. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, Rosette has maintained a consistent presence, appreciated for its sophisticated French flair. The name carries the rose's symbolic associations with love and beauty while adding a touch of uniqueness compared to the more common Rose or Rosie. Rosette appeals to parents seeking a name that's recognizable yet distinctive, combining floral inspiration with European charm.

Attractive, underused name made famous by the heroine of The Color Purple. Still, if you're going to go to Celie, why not go all the way to Celia or Cecelia? You can always use Celie for short.

Another female relative of Saint Mael.

Rare French option for girls, but feels familiar thanks to the popularity of Sebastian.

This chic French name is either a feminization of the classic Yves or a combination of Yves and Élise. Seen as the titular character of the 1923 novel Yvelise by Guido da Verona, it reached its peak popularity in France in 1952 at number 159. Still, with its refined sound and cute nicknames Evie (Yvie) and Lizzie, Yvelise would be a lovely vintage name on a modern baby.

Josiane is a feminine name of French origin, derived from the male name Joseph, which ultimately comes from Hebrew roots meaning 'God will add' or 'God will increase.' Popular primarily in French-speaking regions including France, Quebec, and parts of Switzerland, Josiane emerged as a fashionable name in the mid-20th century. Though its popularity has declined in recent decades, it maintains an air of classic French elegance. The name often carries diminutives like 'Josi' or 'Jo.' Josiane blends traditional religious heritage with a distinctly feminine French character, offering a sophisticated yet accessible choice. The name's rhythmic three syllables and soft sounds contribute to its graceful, melodious quality.

Possible musical tribute name to the waiflike, husky-voiced midcentury French singer who was given this last name because of her birdlike quality.

A sweet French word name possibility, but with unsavory teasing potential.

Prune is a fruit name loved by the French, for whom it's a Plum equivalent. In the U.S., Plum works, but Prune is not a name we'd want to inflict on a child. Prunella is slightly more plausible.

Also spelled Osanne, Ozanne is a French form of Hosanna, the exclamation given by those around Jesus when he first entered Jerusalem in the New Testament. It was notably born by Ozanne-Anne Achon, one of the first settlers in Nouvelle-France, the area colonized by the French in North America.

Verenice is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Berenice or Bernice, which comes from the Greek 'Berenike' meaning 'bringing victory.' The name has ancient roots, notably belonging to a historical Egyptian queen, Berenice II. The variation with 'V' instead of 'B' gives the name a slightly different phonetic quality while maintaining its classical heritage. Verenice has a flowing, melodic sound with a romantic, almost poetic quality. While not among the most common names in English-speaking countries, it enjoys some usage in Spanish-speaking communities. The name strikes a balance between familiarity and uniqueness, offering an elegant alternative to more common classical names.

Also spelled Anael, this offers a new spin on an old standard. Or even a couple of old standards, if you count Annabelle.

A chic French twist on Tiffany, Tiphaine makes the familiar name feel fresh and interesting.

Also spelled as Ozanne, this is the French form of Hosanna, the exclamation given by those around Jesus when he first entered Jerusalem in the New Testament. Ozana and Osanna are the Romanian and Italian variations.

Used by composer Xavier Leroux in his 1903 opera, La reine Fiammette, this fiery name is the French form of Fiammetta, itself an artistic variant of the Italian Fiamma.

A sleek, more elaborate alternative to Maxine, Maxeline is a rare name of French origin, derived from the saintly name Maxellende. St. Maxellende is the patron saint of the visually impaired and invoked to cure eye diseases.

The name of a sixth century Welsh saint who founded abbeys in Brittany, reconstituted for a modern girl.