Both Unique and Classic French Girl Names

  1. Danique
    • Origin:

      French variation of Danica
    • Meaning:

      "morning star"
    • Description:

      This Danielle/Monique hybrid offers a new twist on an old favorite.
  2. Darcy
    • Origin:

      Irish or French
    • Meaning:

      "dark one, or from Arcy, or from the fortress"
    • Description:

      Delicate ballerina name with grace, charm, and heft courtesy of Jane Austen's Mr.
  3. Deanna
    • Origin:

      English variation of Diana, feminine form of Dean
    • Meaning:

      "divine; valley"
    • Description:

      Though still being used, Deanna peaked many decades ago.
  4. Delancey
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "from Lancey"
    • Description:

      This is an energetic dance of an Irish surname, great for both genders. Could also be spelled Delancy.
  5. Delphine
    • Origin:

      French from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "of Delphi; womb"
    • Description:

      Delphine is a sleek, chic French name with two nature associations — the dolphin and the delphinium, a bluebell-like flower, a well as a link to the ancient city of Delphi, which the Greeks believed to be the womb of the earth. All of these derive from the Greek word delphus "womb".
  6. Denise
    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Denis
    • Meaning:

      "god of Nysa"
    • Description:

      Denise was a French favorite of the fifties and sixties but is less chic now. In 2020 it broke back into the Top 1000 after a five-year hiatus, catapulted into style by reality TV star Denisse Novoa — but it dropped out again the following year.
  7. Desiree
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "desired, wished"
    • Description:

      One of the original French names chosen by midcentury parents for their sophistication and je ne sais quoi, Desiree has since become completely assimilated in the US. It ranked in the Top 1000 from 1954-2017, but has since dropped back out.
  8. Diane
    • Origin:

      French variation of Diana
    • Meaning:

      "divine"
    • Description:

      Like Joanne and Christine, middle-aged Diane has been overshadowed by the a-ending version of her name. Diane has a definite mid-century feel; it was a Top 20 name from 1946 to 1959. Though it has several distinguished bearers, including Dianes Sawyer, Keaton, von Furstenberg, Lane, Arbus, Kruger and Farr, it fell off the Top 1000 in 2004 and last year was given to about 60 baby girls, the same number as Dillon and Eugenia.
  9. Dimanche
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "Sunday"
    • Description:

      Pleasant-sounding word that could morph into a unique Sunday-picnic-type name.
  10. Domitille
    • Origin:

      French feminine variation of Roman family name Domitius, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "tamed"
    • Description:

      Domitille is the French form of the ancient royal name Domitilla. Domitille is used today, and was in the French Top 500 during the 2000s. While English speakers might say it as dom-ih-till or dom-ih-teel, in French, it would be DAW-MEE-TEE. Either way, it could be an interesting way to nickname Dottie.
  11. Dorine
    • Dorothee
      • Darielle
        • Destine
          • Devanna
            • Eden
              • Origin:

                Hebrew
              • Meaning:

                "place of pleasure, delight"
              • Description:

                Eden is an attractive, serene name with obvious intimations of Paradise, one of several place names drawn from the Bible by the Puritans in the seventeenth century.
            • Elaina
              • Origin:

                Variation of Elaine or Elena,"bright, shining light"
              • Meaning:

                "bright, shining light"
              • Description:

                While both Elaine and Elena are on an upward trajectory, Elaina has shifted up and down the charts in recent years, making no big moves in either direction. Steadily used, this blend of the two could make it clearer which pronunciation is preferred.
            • Elaine
              • Origin:

                French and Scottish
              • Meaning:

                "bright, shining light"
              • Description:

                This old Scottish form of Helen has had quite a history, going from appearing as one of the shining heroines of the Arthurian legends, the princess who fell in love with Sir Lancelot and became the mother of Sir Galahad, referred to as 'Elaine the fair' and 'Elaine the lovable', to being the name of the most famous of New York's celebrity restaurants, to being the archetypal New York neurotic on Seinfeld.
            • Eliane
              • Origin:

                Variation of Eliana, Hebrew, or Latin from Greek
              • Meaning:

                "my God has answered; sun"
              • Description:

                Eliane is a melodic name with the very fashionable El- beginning. Lovely and lilting as it is, be aware that there are many El- variations around these days, and little girls called Ellie as a result.
            • Ella
              • Origin:

                German; English
              • Meaning:

                "all, completely; fairy maiden"
              • Description:

                Ella is a sweet, simple name that owes much of its current popularity to the popularity of other names, from Emma to Bella to Emily to Ellie.