Both Unique and Classic French Girl Names

This slightly more compact version of Sabina has ties to France and Germany. Unlike its sister name, Sabine has never charted in the United States Top 1000. Today, both names are given to roughly the same number of baby girls in the US, about 70 each year.

Sabrina is the Latin name for the Severn, Britain's longest river. Drop the final syllable and you get a streamlined, French-esque name that's just as elegant, but without the Teenage Witch association. Sabrine has been used in the USA since 1970, but never for more than 18 girls a year — that makes it a rare gem.

The one-named singer clarified the confusing pronunciation on this one (in her case, it's shah-DAY), but a number of parents have looked for more phonetic spellings. The Finnish version means "rain."

A French word name that could be a fresh spin on Summer or Autumn.

A soft and interesting Hebrew name long popular in France, where it has ranked in the Top 400 since 1986 (as Salomé). Ex-ER star Alex Kingston named her daughter Salome Violetta.

Samuelle is a feminine name that represents a French feminine variation of Samuel, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'heard by God' or 'name of God.' The added 'le' ending feminizes the traditionally masculine name while maintaining its biblical connections. Most common in French-speaking regions, Samuelle offers an elegant alternative to Samantha for parents seeking a name with similar sounds but more distinctive character. The name carries a sophisticated European flair while remaining relatively straightforward to pronounce. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it appeals to parents looking for a name with international appeal and traditional roots. Samuelle bridges masculine and feminine qualities, conveying both strength and grace, and works well in multicultural contexts while maintaining its distinctive French character.

Sophisticated French choice. Or toxic petrochemical.

Satine, the name of the Nicole Kidman character in Moulin Rouge,, is, by definition satiny smooth. Jacinda Barrett named her daughter Satine Anais.

Selena is smooth, shiny, and sensual, a nineteenth-century name that found new life in the Latino community, following the biopic of slain Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, starring Jennifer Lopez. But you don't have to be Latin to love Selena, which is both distinctive yet in step with stylish modern names such as Seraphina and Celia.

Selene may be the mythological Greek original, but Latin variation Selena is used more often in the US these days. Selene is the Greek goddess of the moon, sister of Helios the sun god. Selene is also sometimes called Cynthia and Phoebe. The name may be related to the word selas, which means light, and is one of the loveliest of the Greek goddess names.

Seraphine is the Gallic version of the angelic name Seraphina. But while Seraphina has been rising rapidly since Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck chose it for their second daughter, Seraphine has been largely ignored, though we believe the French vowel-sound ending will soon be more stylish than the a-endings that have predominated in girls' names for years.

This long-popular name in France sounds fresh, elegant and unusual here. Severine is the name of the most recent gorgeous James Bond Girl in the film Skyfall. Students of film history will associate the name with the complex character Catherine Deneuve played in the 1967 Bunuel classic, Belle de Jour..

Shanel is a feminine name that likely evolved as a variation of Chanel, which gained recognition through the famous French fashion designer Coco Chanel. The name has French origins and exudes elegance, sophistication, and style. The spelling with 'Sh' rather than 'Ch' gives the name a slightly softer pronunciation while maintaining its chic associations. Shanel has moderate usage in the United States, appealing to parents who appreciate fashion-inspired names with a touch of uniqueness. The name carries connotations of beauty and refinement, suggesting a person with graceful presence and creative sensibilities.

Shannelle is a feminine name that appears to be a modern variant of names like Chanel or Shannon. It likely emerged in the late 20th century as parents sought more distinctive versions of popular names. The name Shannon has Irish origins meaning 'wise river,' while the similar-sounding Chanel draws associations with the famous French fashion house. Shannelle combines melodic qualities with the fashionable '-elle' ending that became popular in American naming trends. While never reaching mainstream popularity, Shannelle appeals to parents seeking a contemporary, somewhat uncommon name with an elegant sound and stylish associations.

While Sidney in this spelling has a long history as a girls' name, it fell off the Top 1000 from the early 50s until 1990. Then it reemerged as one of the newly chic androgynous names for girls, rising into the Top 300 before falling off the Top 1000 list again in 2016. Sydney is now the more fashionable form.

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.

Actress Sigourney -- born Susan -- Weaver made this unusual name (which she found in The Great Gatsby) famous, if not popular.

Simona is a feminine name of Italian and Eastern European origin, serving as the feminine form of Simon, which derives from the Hebrew name Shimon, meaning 'he has heard.' This elegant name has remained consistently popular in Italy, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other European countries. In Italy, it gained particular recognition through famous bearers like Olympic swimmer Simona Quadarella. While less common in English-speaking countries, Simona offers a sophisticated international alternative to the more familiar Simone. The name has a melodic quality with its flowing vowel sounds and soft consonants. Simona projects both strength and femininity, combining classical roots with a contemporary feel. Its cross-cultural appeal makes it accessible across various languages while maintaining its distinctive character.

Simone, the elegant French feminization of Simon, strikes that all-important balance between unusual and familiar, and it's oozing with Gallic sophistication. A dated choice in its native France, gymnast Simone Biles brings new bounce and spark to name.