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French word names

Ducaliter
By Ducaliter
Updated Sat May 20 2023
  1. Iris

    • Origin:

      Flower name; Greek

    • Meaning:

      "rainbow"

    • Description:

      Iris has so much going for it. It's a fashionable flower name. It's a mythological name, from the Greek goddess of the rainbow. And it's a classic name, always ranking in the girls' Top 1000 but now at its highest point ever.
  2. Atlas

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "bearer of the heavens"

    • Description:

      Atlas is one of those names that was previously thought too powerful for a baby boy, who would have to be strong enough to carry the world on his shoulders. Now Atlas has joined the pantheon of Greek and Roman god and goddess names in the realm of possibility, along with Mars, Zeus and Apollo.
  3. Madeleine

    • Origin:

      French variation of Magdalen

    • Meaning:

      "woman from Magdala or high tower"

    • Description:

      Sophisticated and sweet, delicate but substantial, Madeleine is the classic French variation of Magdalene.
  4. Constance

    • Origin:

      English version of Latin Constantia

    • Meaning:

      "steadfastness"

    • Description:

      Constance is one of the more subtle of the virtue baby names, but still has quite a prim and proper image. One impediment to its revival has been the decidedly dated nickname Connie, though modern parents might well opt for using the strong and dignified name in full.
  5. Jade

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "stone of the side"

    • Description:

      As a precious stone, Jade is known for its cool green hues, its importance in Chinese art, and its ability to transmit wisdom, confidence, and clarity. As a name, however, Jade is a 90s throwback in the UK, a Top 5 choice in France, and a returning gem in the US right now.
  6. Cerise

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "cherry"

    • Description:

      Infinitely preferable to the tease-inspiring English version of the word.
  7. Fleur

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  8. Sylvain

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "wood, forest"

    • Description:

      Doesn't everything sound better with a French accent? Sylvain, the French variation of the Roman wood god's name, sounds somehow cooler and more sophisticated than Sylvan.
  9. Blanche

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "white"

    • Description:

      Blanche, which originated as a nickname for a pale blonde and then became associated with the notion of purity, was in style a century ago, ranking in the double digits until 1920. She then had to fight the stereotype of faded Southern belle, a la Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire and Blanche Devereaux in TV's Golden Girls. Now all three of the Golden Girls--Blanche, Rose and Dorothy--could be ready for revival, with Blanche sounding like a stronger, simpler alternative to Bianca.
  10. Brune

    • Origin:

      French word name

    • Meaning:

      "brown"
  11. Mirabelle

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "marvelous"

    • Description:

      If you're looking for a fresher belle name than Isabelle, Mirabelle is lovely, and we also like the extra flourish of Mirabella. And if you want a nature tie, Mirabelle is also the name of a delicate French plum.
  12. Capucine

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "nasturtium"

    • Description:

      Capucine was a chic French actress half a century ago and has been one of the most fashionable girl names in France in recent decades, ranking in France's Top 100. Capucine is also popular in French-speaking Belgium. To Americans and other English speakers, this name still feels fresh -- so fresh that last year, no baby girls were named Capucine in the US.
  13. Eglantine

    • Origin:

      French botanical name

    • Description:

      This name for the sweetbriar shrub is a bit too reminiscent of eggplant.
  14. Lune

    • Description:

      Lune is a delicate feminine name derived from the French word for 'moon.' With Latin origins in 'luna,' this name carries celestial associations and evokes images of moonlight and nighttime serenity. Though rare in English-speaking countries, Lune has occasional usage in France and among parents drawn to French-inspired names. The name's single-syllable simplicity belies its rich poetic qualities and mythological connections—the moon being associated with feminine energy in many cultures. Lune offers a subtle alternative to the more common Luna while maintaining the same ethereal qualities. Its brevity, elegant sound, and meaningful connection to the night sky make it appealing for parents seeking something both simple and evocative.

  15. Marine

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from the sea"

    • Description:

      Marine was trending for a long time in France, but the far right politician Marine (born Marion) LePen has dampened the mood.
  16. Innocent

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "harmless, innocent"

    • Description:

      Innocent, the name of thirteen popes, is rarely heard in a secular setting, where its loaded meaning could open the door to ridicule.
  17. Lys

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elisabeth or French

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      Lys is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In French, it derives from 'fleur-de-lis' meaning 'lily,' a flower symbolizing purity and the French monarchy. In Welsh and Scandinavian contexts, Lys relates to 'light' or 'brightness.' This concise, single-syllable name carries an elegant simplicity while retaining deep symbolic connections. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, Lys has maintained steady usage in France, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The name's brevity makes it distinctive in an era of longer feminine names, while its cross-cultural roots give it versatility. For parents seeking minimalist naming choices with historical depth and natural symbolism, Lys offers a refined yet understated option.

  18. Hortense

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "of the garden"

    • Description:

      Hortense is actually the French feminine form of Hortensia, the name of a strong, politically active early Roman woman. Hortense began to be used in the English-speaking world in the nineteenth century. Napoleon had a stepdaughter named Hortense, it was the name of one of the main characters in the film Secrets and Lies and is also associated with novelist Hortense Calisher. As unappealing as it might be to most American parents, Hortense is now Number 155 in France (as of 2021).
  19. Victoire

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "victory"

    • Description:

      Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.
  20. Pomme

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "apple"

    • Description:

      Une amie for Gwyneth's little girl.