Unique French Girl Names
- Citron
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"lemon"Description:
A Gallic twist on a word or nature name, which has a nice lemony feel.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Noemie
Description:
Noemie is the French variation of Naomi, a name with Hebrew origins meaning 'pleasantness' or 'delightfulness.' In the Bible, Naomi was the mother-in-law of Ruth and a figure of loyalty and perseverance. The French spelling adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to this ancient name. Noemie typically uses the accent mark (Noémie) in French, though it's often simplified in English usage. The name has maintained steady popularity in France and French-speaking regions but remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, giving it a distinctive quality. With its melodic three-syllable pronunciation (no-ay-mee), the name combines biblical heritage with French refinement, appealing to parents seeking a name that's both meaningful and graceful.
- 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.
- 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.
- Clairette
Description:
Clairette is a feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive of Claire (meaning 'clear' or 'bright' from Latin 'clarus'). The suffix '-ette' adds a touch of delicacy and charm, typical of French feminine diminutives. Beyond its use as a personal name, Clairette is also known as a variety of white wine grape grown primarily in southern France. The name evokes qualities of clarity, brightness, and refinement with its French styling. While never achieving widespread popularity outside of French-speaking regions, Clairette carries an elegant, sophisticated air that appeals to those drawn to names with French flair. The name suggests a personality that is illuminating, pure, and graceful, with the diminutive form adding a note of endearing sweetness.
- Armel
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"bear prince"Description:
The name of a sixth century Welsh saint who founded abbeys in Brittany, reconstituted for a modern girl.
- Maxellende
Origin:
French form of Maxellendis, Saint nameMeaning:
"greatest"Description:
A rare saint's name, Maxellende was a 7th-century martyr, associated with the French Catholic church. She is invoked to cure eye diseases and is more generally the patron saint of the visually impaired. Her name itself is a French form of Maxellendis, possibly linked to Maxence and Maximus meaning "greatest". Other forms of the name are Maxelende (borne by Filipino composer Maxelende Ganade) and Maxeline.
- Aglaé
Origin:
French form of Aglaia, GreekMeaning:
"splendour, beauty"Description:
An international form of the Greek Aglaia, Aglaé is associated with the Three Graces in Greek mythology. With a hint of clunkiness but plenty of splendour too, Aglaé was moderately popular in France in the early 20th century though it has been out of the charts since 1917.
- 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.
- Gwenaëlle
Origin:
Feminine form of Gwenaël, French, BretonMeaning:
"blessed and generous"Description:
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.
- 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. But in the US, you'd have to be adventurous to choose it.
- Bastienne
Origin:
Variation of Sebastienne, FrenchMeaning:
"person from Sebastia"Description:
Rare French option for girls, but feels familiar thanks to the popularity of Sebastian.
- 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.
- Ozanne
Origin:
French form of Hosanna, HebrewMeaning:
"praise the Lord; deliver us"Description:
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.
- Osanne
Origin:
French form of Hosanna, HebrewMeaning:
"praise the Lord; deliver us"Description:
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.