Unique French Girl Names
- Verenice
Description:
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.
- Clemence
Origin:
French feminine variation of ClementMeaning:
"mild, merciful"Description:
Calm, composed, and chic. Often seen with an accent in France, as Clémence.
- Axelle
Origin:
French feminine form of AxelMeaning:
"father of peace"Description:
Putting the emphasis on the "elle" softens a name that seems at once futuristic and medieval.
- Calais
Origin:
French place-nameDescription:
Undiscovered name of picturesque northern French port.
- Lazarie
Origin:
Feminine form of Lazare, French, HebrewMeaning:
"God is my helper"Description:
Derived from the French form of Lazarus, Lazare, ultimately from the Hebrew Eleazar, Lazarie may appeal to those who want a rare, Biblical inspired choice but also enjoy the sounds of Amelie, Avery, Elodie, or Azelie.
- Anaelle
Origin:
Breton form of AnnaMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Also spelled Anael, this offers a new spin on an old standard. Or even a couple of old standards, if you count Annabelle.
- Danique
Origin:
French variation of DanicaMeaning:
"morning star"Description:
This Danielle/Monique hybrid offers a new twist on an old favorite.
- Mailys
Origin:
French or BretonMeaning:
"chief or prince"Description:
Another female relative of Saint Mael.
- Bastienne
Origin:
Variation of Sebastienne, FrenchMeaning:
"person from Sebastia"Description:
Rare French option for girls, but feels familiar thanks to the popularity of Sebastian.
- Bluette
Origin:
French, English, ItalianMeaning:
"little spark; a short, witty play, book, or piece of music; shade of blue"Description:
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.
- Piaf
Origin:
French surnameMeaning:
"sparrow"Description:
Possible musical tribute name to the waiflike, husky-voiced midcentury French singer who was given this last name because of her birdlike quality.
- Prune
Origin:
Fruit nameDescription:
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.
- Lylou
Origin:
Variation of Lilou, French, OccitanMeaning:
"lily; lily + renowned warrior"Description:
An alternative spelling of the sweet French Lilou, used as both a diminutive of Liliane and as a compound name, blending Lili- with Louise. This variation made the French Top 100 in the 2010s, though more recently, it has fallen back down the charts, sitting just within the Top 500.
- Douce
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"gentle, sweet"Description:
A sweet French word name and an equivalent to English Dulcie, Douce may also be elaborated into Doucette and the saintly name Douceline. Pronounced with one syllable (DOOS), some English speakers may find it too close to "doozy" or worse, douche, to use as a first name.
- Janvier
Origin:
French word nameMeaning:
"January"Description:
Used in France as a male name, this would make an appealing and unusual choice, as would two other Gallic month names, Avril and Mai.
- Fiammette
Origin:
French form of Fiammetta, ItaliamMeaning:
"little flame"Description:
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.
- Josiane
Description:
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.
- Maxeline
Origin:
Variation of Maxellende, FrenchMeaning:
"greatest"Description:
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.
- Cornelie
Description:
Cornelie is a feminine name of Latin origin, representing the French and German feminine form of Cornelius. The name derives from the Roman clan name Cornelius, possibly relating to the Latin word "cornu" meaning "horn." Cornelie carries aristocratic associations in European history, particularly in French and German noble families from the medieval period through the 19th century. While relatively uncommon today, it maintains an elegant, classical quality that connects to European cultural heritage. The name has a refined sound with its soft ending, distinguishing it from the more commonly known Cornelia. Cornelie offers parents a sophisticated choice with historical depth while remaining recognizable despite its rarity.
- Petronille
Origin:
French feminine variation of Petronius, LatinMeaning:
"yokel, woodpecker, stone"Description:
So many names sound better with a French accent, and Petronille is one of them: it feels unusual in an elegant way. Usually spelled as Pétronille, it is derived from the Latin Petronius, possibly meaning "yokel", which is now considered a slur for country dwellers, but it may previously have referred to the green woodpecker instead, which is a better meaning. Alternatively, it can be linked to Peter, as Saint Petronilla was said to be Saint Peter's daughter.
Introducing the Nameberry App
Find your perfect baby name together with our new mobile app.
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
Sign up to be notified when the app launches and to receive a discount on full access.