French Girl Names

  1. Adeline
    • Origin:

      French, diminutive of Adele
    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility"
    • Description:

      Adeline has a lovely, old-fashioned "Sweet Adeline" charm, but has become so popular in the US under so many spellings and variations -- with Adalynn and Adalyn also popular -- that considered together it is far more popular than it first seems. Adorable nickname Addie is also pervasive.
  2. Alexandrie
    • Alexandrine
      • Origin:

        French and German variation of Alexandra
      • Meaning:

        "defending men"
      • Description:

        Alexandra is a name with many international variations, elaborations and short forms, and Alexandrine is one of the more unusual. Another, Alexandrina, was the first name of Queen Victoria.
    • Alix
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "noble type"
      • Description:

        A chic and sassy French choice, popular in France but likely to be confused with the more prosaic Alex in English-speaking countries. Although sometimes used in the US as a variant spelling of Alex, the French name Alix actually derives from a medieval French form of the name Alice or Adelaide.
    • Amarante
      • Anais
        • Origin:

          Catalan and Provencal pet form of Hebrew Anna
        • Meaning:

          "grace"
        • Description:

          Anais is an unusual, alluring name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin (born Angela, with Anais as one of her middle names), who became the inspiration for the naming of the daughter of musician Noel Gallagher. Anais is also the name of a popular perfume.
      • Anneau
        • Origin:

          French
        • Meaning:

          "a ring"
      • Apolline
        • Origin:

          French form of Apollonia
        • Description:

          Apolline is a luscious French name chic in Paris and ripe for the plucking in the English-speaking world. Derived from the mythological name Apollo, the name may mean strength; Apollo was the god of sun and light. Apolline is a perfect choice for those attracted to the name Apple who don't want to go quite that far.
      • Aurore
        • Aurélie
          • Avril
            • Origin:

              French
            • Meaning:

              "April"
            • Description:

              The French Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne put the spotlight on this name when she made the charts with "Sk8er Boi". It is simply the French form of April, the fourth month of the year, whose name might derive from the Latin aperire meaning "to open" in reference to the start of spring in the Northern hemisphere. Other sources suggest it comes from the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.
          • Adelise
            • Adelphie
              • Adélie
                • Aleandra
                  • Camille
                    • Origin:

                      French
                    • Meaning:

                      "young ceremonial attendant"
                    • Description:

                      At one time just the sound of the name Camille could start people coughing, recalling the tragic Lady of the Camellias, the heroine played by Greta Garbo in the vintage film based on a Dumas story, but that image has faded, replaced by a sleek, chic, highly attractive one.
                  • 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.
                  • Claire
                    • Origin:

                      French form of Clara
                    • Meaning:

                      "bright, clear"
                    • Description:

                      Claire, luminous, simple, and strong, is one of those special names that is familiar yet distinctive, feminine but not frilly, combining historical depth with a modern edge. And though Claire is enjoying revived popularity, it will never be seen as trendy. Claire is also a great middle name choice.
                  • Claudie
                    • Origin:

                      French feminine variation of Claude
                    • Description:

                      Attractive form still très Parisienne.
                  • 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.