Beautiful, Chic French Names for Baby Girls
- 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.
- Lorraine
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"from the province of Lorraine"Description:
Sweet Lorraine might just be old enough to be ripe for reconsideration. This French place name has moved in and out of fashion in the few hundred years it's been used as a girls' first name, somewhat influenced by the alternative name of Joan of Arc--Saint Joan of Lorraine. It was quite popular from the 1920s to the fifties, but has pretty much been in limbo since then.
- Lucienne
Origin:
French feminine variation of LucianMeaning:
"light"Description:
Lucienne is a soft and ultra-sophisticated French-accented option in the Lucy family, one that could provide a fresh alternative to such fatigued Gallic choices as Danielle and Michelle.
- Lucille
Origin:
French variation of Latin LucillaMeaning:
"light"Description:
Lucille is a name that had long been overpowered by its link to Lucille Ball, with an image of tangerine-colored hair, big, round eyes, and a tendency to stage daffy and desperate stunts. But with the newfound craze for double-L names like Lily and Lila, Lulu and Luna, and as the choice of Lucille by hipster parents Maya Rudolph and Paul Thomas Anderson, Lucille is breaking free from its old clownish image, moving rapidly up the charts over the past decade after a long nap.
- Lunette
Description:
Lunette is a delicate feminine name with French origins, derived from 'lune,' meaning 'moon.' The '-ette' suffix adds a diminutive quality, essentially meaning 'little moon.' This celestial connection gives Lunette an ethereal, enchanting quality. In French folklore, Lunette appears as a character in Arthurian legends, where she serves as Lady Laudine's confidante. The name has never been widely popular in English-speaking countries but maintains a consistent presence as a distinctive choice. Its lyrical sound and romantic French associations appeal to parents seeking something feminine yet uncommon. The lunar connection also resonates with those drawn to celestial or nature-inspired names.
- Madeleine
Origin:
French variation of MagdalenMeaning:
"woman from Magdala or high tower"Description:
Sophisticated and sweet, delicate but substantial, Madeleine is the classic French variation of Magdalene.
- Madelyn
Origin:
Variation of Madeline, EnglishMeaning:
"woman from Magdala or high tower"Description:
Capturing some of the playful elegance of Madeleine, while avoiding any confusion over the end sound, Madelyn is now an established spelling variation of the French classic. Sweet but strong, Madelyn is a versatile choice that lends itself to the almost inevitable nickname Maddy.
- Mallory
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"unfortunate"Description:
Early 1980s sitcom (Family Ties) name that has been well used ever since, with an upbeat three-syllable sound and a slightly tomboyish edge.
- Marceline
Origin:
Feminization of Marcel, FrenchMeaning:
"little warrior"Description:
Balancing femininity, vintage charm, and fantasy nerdiness, Marceline is one to watch. Marceline the Vampire Queen from the 2010-2018 animated TV series Adventure Time brought her elaborate French name back into public consciousness. It re-entered the Top 1000 in 2020, after an 86 year hiatus, and rose into the 700s in 2021. Nicknames Marcie and Marcy are rising in popularity as well. Marceline may appeal to parents who like frilly, traditional, and sophisticated names such as Josephine and Genevieve.
- Marcelle
Description:
Marcelle is the feminine form of Marcel, a name with Latin origins derived from 'Marcellus,' a diminutive of Marcus meaning 'dedicated to Mars,' the Roman god of war. Popular in France and other French-speaking regions, Marcelle carries an elegant, classic quality. The name has historical significance, having been borne by several saints and notable figures throughout European history. While more common in previous generations, Marcelle has the timeless sophistication that could appeal to parents seeking a name with French flair and historical depth. The name balances femininity with strength, and its familiar sound pattern makes it accessible despite being relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries today. Marcelle offers the appeal of vintage names while maintaining a distinctive international character.
- 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.
- Margo
Origin:
French, diminutive of MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
Margo and Margot sound exactly the same, so why has the Margot spelling hopped back onto the Top 1000, outpacing Margo in numbers more than two to one? (Over 350 baby girls were named Margot in the most recent year, versus 150 named Margo.)
- Margot
Origin:
French, diminutive of MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
Margot is suddenly a star again. After a nearly-half century absence, it hopped back on the Top 1000 list in 2013 and is on the rise. The Margot spelling is now given to three times as many baby girls as the Margo one.
- Marguerite
Origin:
French variation of Margaret; also a flower nameMeaning:
"pearl; daisy"Description:
Marguerite is a classic French name with a remnant of old-fashioned Gallic charm; and is also a variety of daisy. Chic again in Paris, it's definitely ripe for revival here.
- Marianne
Origin:
French combination of Marie and AnneMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + grace"Description:
A midcentury Catholic classic that's not chosen by many parents today. Leonard Cohen fans might think of the beautiful song So Long, Marianne, named for his lover and muse Marianne Ihlen.
- 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.
- Marietta
Origin:
Italian diminutive of MariaMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Marietta would make for a classy and uncommon long form for cool nickname Etta.
- Martine
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"warlike"Description:
Sleek and sophisticated.
- Melisande
Origin:
French form of Millicent, GermanMeaning:
"strong in work"Description:
This old-time fairy tale name is rarely heard in the modern English-speaking world, but it's so, well, mellifluous, that it would make a lovely choice for a twenty-first century girl--a romanticized tribute to an Aunt Melissa or Melanie.
- Minette
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"faithful defender"Description:
Frenchified name rarely used in France. And perhaps even more rarely used in the US -- there were NO baby girls given the name on the official records of 2021.