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Greatest French Girls Names

chloefiegener
By chloefiegener
Updated Mon May 22 2023
The best of the best: from the extravagant Alouette to the no-frills Manon. This list compiles all of the greatest girls names from France there is...
  1. Eloise

    • Origin:

      French and English variation of Heloise

    • Meaning:

      "healthy; wide"

    • Description:

      Well balanced between sleek, sweet, strong, and vintage, newly chic Eloise re-entered the US Top 1000 in 2009, following a 50-year absence. In 2022, it broke into the Top 100 in the US and across the pond in the UK. Given to nearly 3000 babies each year, Eloise is showing no sign of stepping out of the spotlight.
  2. Elodie

    • Origin:

      French, variation of Alodia, German

    • Meaning:

      "foreign riches"

    • Description:

      The lyrical and melodious Elodie, a Nameberry favorite, is starting to rise through the US popularity charts for the first time since the 1880s. This once uncommon member of the El- family is a Top 100 name in the UK, Canada, and New Zealand, while in the US, it was one of the fasted rising names of 2024 and now sits in the Top 400.
  3. Caroline

    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Charles

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Caroline is a perennial classic, one of the elite group of girls' names that's ALWAYS ranked among the Top 1000 and that's been in the Top 100 since 1994. Elegant yet strong, Caroline calls to mind the Kennedy Camelot years and Princess Caroline of Monaco.
  4. Clementine

    • Origin:

      French feminine version of Clement, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "mild, merciful"

    • Description:

      Clementine is a Nameberry favorite that broke back into the US Top 1000 in 2014 after more than half a century off the list.
  5. Amelie

    • Origin:

      French variation of Amelia

    • Meaning:

      "work"

    • Description:

      Emily gets a Bohemian spin and a French accent when it becomes Amelie. This favorite among French girl names has been gaining notice here thanks to the charming 2001 French film Amelie; it entered the American popularity list in 2002 and is now solidly established in the Top 1000.
  6. Manon

    • Origin:

      French, diminutive of Marie

    • Meaning:

      "bitter"

    • Description:

      Manon is an endearing French pet name for Marie or Marianne; it has the international yet straightforward feel that makes it a viable import. Manon of the Spring was a gorgeous French film, Manon Lescaut a 1731 novel by Abbe Prevost, set in France and Louisiana, that was controversial in its day. It formed the basis of operas by Puccini and Massenet, and several films and TV series.
  7. Cosette

    • Origin:

      French literary nickname

    • Meaning:

      "little thing"

    • Description:

      Cosette is best known as the heroine of Les Miserables. In the Victor Hugo novel, Cosette was the nickname given to the girl named Euphrasie by her mother. Although Hugo invented the name, some etymologists believe it's a spin on Colette, originally a female short form of Nicolas.
  8. Lilou

    • Origin:

      Occitan pet form of French Liliane, or French compound of Lili and Louise

    • Meaning:

      "lily; lily + renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      Sweet, enchanting Lilou is considered both a pet name from the Occitan language (spoken in Provence in the south of France), and a compound name, blending floral Lili with classic Louise. It peaked in France back in 2009 when it reached #12, and while it has now fallen in popularity, it remains in the Top 200.
  9. Cerise

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "cherry"

    • Description:

      Infinitely preferable to the tease-inspiring English version of the word.
  10. Sidonie

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from Sidon "

    • Description:

      Sidonie is an appealing and chic French favorite that is starting to attract some American fans as a fresher alternative to Sydney. Also spelled Sidony, Sidonie was the birth name of the French novelist Colette.
  11. Alouette

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "lark"

    • Description:

      Alouette is a sweet Gallic twist in the stylish bird name genre made familiar via the charming French children's song, Alouette, gentile alouette.
  12. Claudette

    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Claude

    • Meaning:

      "lame; enclosure"

    • Description:

      Once seen as a dated French Claudette-Colbert feminization, along with Annette and Paulette, we can see Claudette moving into a more plausible Colette-Cosette arena. While some may be put off by the common "lame" meaning, some etymologists theorize that the name may relate to the word for enclosure or clause, an alternate meaning that may appeal to a child with a form of this otherwise-appealing name.
  13. 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.
  14. Mariette

    • Origin:

      French diminutive of Marie

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

    • Description:

      A less-popular alternative to Juliette, perhaps – although it feels rather more dated.
  15. Heloise

    • Origin:

      French from German

    • Meaning:

      "healthy; wide"

    • Description:

      Heloise is an ancient name related to sleek, peppy classic Eloise. Both ultimately derive from the Germanic name Helewidis, which became Helewis in medieval England. In the twelfth century, the name was borne by the beloved of the French philosopher Pierre Abelard, who was considered to be one of the most learned women of the Middle Ages.
  16. Victoire

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "victory"

    • Description:

      Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.
  17. Alienor

    • Origin:

      French, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      Also seen as Alyenor and Eleonore, this is an old French name dating back to the Arthurian romances and still heard today.
  18. Anaise

    • Origin:

      Variation of Anais

    • Description:

      Anais, the name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin, is unusual and French enough without appending an e, though some may think it clarifies pronunciation.
  19. Henriette

    • Origin:

      French, feminine form of Henri

    • Description:

      Henriette is to Henri (or Henry) what Charlotte is to Charles. Yet this elegant French name is surprisingly rare in the States.
  20. 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.