French Baby Girl
- Esme
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Esmé comes from the past participle of the Old French verb esmer, meaing "to esteem" or "to love." It can also be considered a derivative of the Spanish name Esmeralda, which means "emerald".
- Estelle
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"star"Description:
Maybe it's because she shares that winning -elle sound with Isabel and Bella, but Estelle is no longer seen as a muumuu-wearing canasta player of a certain age (think George Costanza's mother on Seinfeld or Joey Tribbiani's talent agent in Friends). This could be in part thanks to the young Royal Couple of Sweden, who chose it for their firstborn daughter, or the single-named British R&B singer. It reentered the US Top 1000 in 2012 after a nearly fifty-year absence.
- Fabienne
Origin:
French variation of FabiaMeaning:
"bean grower"Description:
Instead of the usual French suspects -- Danielle, Isabelle, Gabrielle -- why not consider Fabienne, which is less common and just as pretty.
- Faustine
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of FaustMeaning:
"fortunate one"Description:
Faustine has a positive meaning, although the association with the character who sold his soul to the devil may be off-putting. This name is among the Top 100 girls' names in France, but was given to fewer than five baby girls in the US last year.
- Fleur
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"flower"Description:
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 Delacour, a French witch and the Beauxbatons champion for the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter.
- Genevieve
Origin:
English from FrenchMeaning:
"tribe woman"Description:
Genevieve is derived from the Germanic medieval name Genovefa, or Kenowefa, which consists of the elements kuni, meaning "kin", and wefa, meaning "woman." The medieval saint Genevieve, patroness of Paris, defended the city against Attila the Hun through her rational thinking, courage and prayer.
- Harriet
Origin:
English variation of French HenrietteMeaning:
"estate ruler"Description:
Harriet has long been considered a stylish, upscale name in England, but it's still waiting to be revived in the US—though some parents seeking a solid, serious semi-classic are beginning to consider it.
- Henrietta
Origin:
Feminine variation of Henry, GermanMeaning:
"estate ruler"Description:
Despite a return to such feminizations of male names as Josephine, Clementine, and Theodora, starchy Henrietta has not made it into that group. Still, if you look hard enough, you'll see that Henrietta has the same vintage charm.
- Honore
Description:
Honoré is a French feminine name (though also used for males in French culture) derived from the Latin 'honoratus,' meaning 'honored' or 'respected.' With roots dating back to ancient Rome, the name embodies dignity, integrity, and virtue. It gained prominence through notable bearers like the French novelist Honoré de Balzac, though his was the masculine form. As a feminine name, Honoré carries an elegant, sophisticated quality with its French pronunciation (oh-no-RAY) adding a touch of cosmopolitan flair. While consistently used in French-speaking regions, it remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, making it an attractive option for parents seeking a name with historical depth, clear meaning, and cultural refinement without being overly popular.
- Jolie
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"pretty"Description:
Jolie is as pretty as its literal meaning; nowadays it is also seen as a girls’ name, via Angelina for whom Jolie was originally her middle name.
- Jonquille
Origin:
French flower name, from LatinMeaning:
"reed"
- Josette
Origin:
French,pet form of Josephine, feminine of Joseph, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
One of the group of French 'ette'-ending names that emigrated to this country in the last century, though never as popular as some others, such as Claudette and Paulette--it did have a little six-year flurry here between 1967 and 1973. Josette may be feminine and flirty, but, given the choice, most parents today would prefer Josephine.
- Laverne
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"springlike"Description:
Although it has a sweet meaning, this name feels dated nowadays, like a fifties poodle skirt. Lavender may be a fresher alternative.
- Lisette
Origin:
French, diminutive of Elizabeth or LiseMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Lisette, also spelled Lizette, is a dainty,, if somewhat dated, Gallic offshoot of Elizabeth. It reached its U.S. peak of popularity in 1999, then fell off the list in 2001.
- Lucida
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lucid, clear"Description:
Pretty, delicate and crystal clear, with the readymade nickname of Lucy.
- Magdalaine
Description:
Magdalaine is an elegant variation of Magdalene, which derives from Magdala, an ancient town on the Sea of Galilee whose name meant 'tower' in Aramaic. The name gained significance in Christian tradition through Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus. This particular spelling adds a French-inspired sophistication with the 'ai' combination. Magdalaine offers a graceful alternative to the more common Magdalene or Madeline variations, maintaining the historical richness while providing a distinctive flair. Though relatively uncommon, the name carries timeless appeal with its biblical connections and melodic sound. Magdalaine projects dignity and classical femininity while the unusual spelling gives it a touch of uniqueness that sets bearers apart.
- Magdaleine
Description:
Magdaleine is an elegant variation of Magdalene, ultimately derived from Magdala, an ancient place name meaning 'tower' in Aramaic. The name carries profound religious significance through its association with Mary Magdalene, a prominent female follower of Jesus in the New Testament. This elaborated spelling adds a touch of French sophistication to the classic name. Magdaleine combines historical depth with feminine grace, offering a slightly uncommon alternative to more familiar forms like Madeline or Magdalena. The name suggests dignity and spiritual connection while its melodious quality creates a sense of refinement. Though not widely used, it appeals to parents drawn to names with rich historical and religious foundations.
- Margaux
Origin:
French spelling variation of MargoDescription:
Yes, it's pronounced with a long o sound at the end, just like Margo and Margot. This spelling was popularized by supermodel, actress, and tragic Hemingway granddaughter Margaux, whose name spelling came courtesy of a bottle of French wine. (The original spelling of her name was Margot; she changed it when she heard her parents were drinking a bottle of Chateau Margaux the night she was conceived.) Margo itself is a diminutive of Margaret, which means "pearl" or, in its French version, "daisy." Margaret or Marguerite would be more stylish variations now.
- Maribel
Origin:
English combination of Mary and Bel, or Spanish short form of María Isabel, "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + beautiful"Meaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + beautiful"Description:
This modern name gathers some steam from the wildly popular Isabel.
- Marjolie
Description:
Marjolie is a feminine name that appears to be a variant or elaboration of Marjorie, which derives from the medieval form of Margaret, meaning 'pearl.' With its French-sounding ending, Marjolie introduces a melodic quality to the traditional Marjorie. The 'jolie' element evokes the French word for 'pretty,' adding a layer of beauty to its meaning. This uncommon variation has never achieved widespread use but offers a distinctive alternative to more familiar forms. Marjolie carries the same vintage charm as Marjorie but with an added touch of international flair. The name suggests a gentle femininity while still connecting to the strong historical roots of Margaret. Marjolie would appeal to parents seeking a name that sounds familiar yet remains refreshingly uncommon.