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Vespertine's French Favorites

  1. Genevieve

    • Origin:

      English from French

    • Meaning:

      "tribe woman"

    • Description:

      Genevieve is derived from the Germanic medieval name Genovefa, or Kenowefa, which consists of the elements kuni, meaning "kin", and wefa, meaning "woman." The medieval saint Genevieve, patroness of Paris, defended the city against Attila the Hun through her rational thinking, courage and prayer.
  2. Georgienne

    • Description:

      Georgienne is a feminine name that functions as an elaborate French feminine form of George, which derives from the Greek 'georgos' meaning 'farmer' or 'earth-worker.' The name combines the classic root with a distinctly French flair through its elegant '-ienne' suffix. While Georgette and Georgina are more commonly used feminine variations, Georgienne offers a more ornate and sophisticated alternative with its flowing syllables. The name carries associations with French culture and language, making it appealing for parents with French heritage or those drawn to French-inspired names. Georgienne remains quite rare, offering a distinctive quality while still being recognizable in its connection to the more familiar George family of names.
  3. Georgine

    • Description:

      Georgine is a feminine variant of George, which derives from the Greek name 'Georgios' meaning 'farmer' or 'earth-worker.' This elegant name carries the strength of its masculine counterpart while adding a distinctly feminine touch. Popular primarily in the early 20th century, Georgine has decreased in usage but maintains a classic, sophisticated appeal. The name has variations across multiple cultures, including Georgina (more common in English-speaking countries) and Georgette (French influence). Georgine offers a formal yet approachable quality and provides the cute nickname options of Gina or Georgie. Though considered vintage today, it belongs to the category of traditional names that occasionally experience renewed interest in modern naming trends.
  4. Hyacinthe

    • Description:

      Hyacinthe is a feminine name with Greek origins, derived from the name of the purple-blue flower called hyacinth. In Greek mythology, Hyacinthus was a beautiful youth beloved by Apollo. The feminine form Hyacinthe has been more common in French-speaking regions than in English-speaking countries. It carries an air of classical elegance and floral beauty. Though never widely popular in the United States or United Kingdom, the name has maintained a steady presence in France and among families with French heritage. Parents might choose this name for its beautiful sound, classical references, floral connection, and distinctly feminine yet sophisticated quality.

  5. Hyacinthe
    • Isaline

      • Origin:

        French variation of Isabelle

      • Description:

        A trendy name in France, sometimes also spelled Ysaline, that's related to both Isabelle and Iseult. To the American ear, it freshens up Isabelle without really improving on it.
    • Ismerie

      • Origin:

        French

      • Description:

        This French form of the name Ismeria is one of those uncommon names that's been consistently used in France since the middle ages.The origins of this rare name are shrouded in mystery. Ismeria / Ismérie is an obscure figure in European Christian legend, sometimes purported to be the great-aunt of Jesus Christ, who is connected to the devotion of the Black Madonna.
    • Juin

      • Description:

        Juin is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections. Most prominently, it derives from the French word for the month of June, ultimately stemming from the Roman goddess Juno, who represented marriage and well-being. In Chinese contexts, different characters pronounced as 'Juin' can carry meanings related to gathering, elegance, or intelligence depending on the specific characters used. As a given name, Juin remains relatively uncommon internationally but may appeal to parents seeking a subtle connection to June without using the more common version. The name has a delicate, flowing sound that works well in multicultural contexts, while its brevity makes it distinctive yet accessible. It carries seasonal associations with early summer, warmth, and blossoming.
    • Julien

      • Origin:

        French from Latin

      • Meaning:

        "youthful, downy-bearded, or sky father"

      • Description:

        Julien is the handsome French form of Julian, which derives from Julius, a Roman family name. Its origin is shrouded in history, but possible roots include Latin iuvenis, meaning "youthfu"; Greek ioulos, meaning "downy-bearded"; or Jovis, a form of Jupiter, which means "sky father".
    • Juin
      • Lilou

        • Origin:

          Occitan pet form of French Liliane

        • Meaning:

          "lily"

        • Description:

          Lilou is a charming, rarely heard import. Occitan is a language spoken in Provence, in the south of France, in which the suffix "ou" denotes a pet form — thus, Lilou as a short form of Liliane or its Occitan form Liliana or Liliano. Its popularity in France--where it's currently Number 12--can be traced to the 1997 film The Fifth Element.
      • Lucie

        • Origin:

          French, English

        • Meaning:

          "light"

        • Description:

          The French spelling of Lucy feels particularly light and shimmery.
      • Lucien

        • Origin:

          French form of Lucian

        • Meaning:

          "light"

        • Description:

          Sophisticated Gallic version of Lucian, Lucien may appeal to parents attracted to this meaning over that of Lucas and Luke, which have a different root, and also looking for a more unusual choice.
      • Lucienne

        • Origin:

          French feminine variation of Lucian

        • Meaning:

          "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.
      • Lune

        • Description:

          Lune is a delicate feminine name derived from the French word for 'moon.' With Latin origins in 'luna,' this name carries celestial associations and evokes images of moonlight and nighttime serenity. Though rare in English-speaking countries, Lune has occasional usage in France and among parents drawn to French-inspired names. The name's single-syllable simplicity belies its rich poetic qualities and mythological connections—the moon being associated with feminine energy in many cultures. Lune offers a subtle alternative to the more common Luna while maintaining the same ethereal qualities. Its brevity, elegant sound, and meaningful connection to the night sky make it appealing for parents seeking something both simple and evocative.

      • Lupine

        • Origin:

          Flower name from Latin

        • Meaning:

          "pertaining to the wolf"

        • Description:

          Alternate spelling of Lupin
      • Lupine

        • Origin:

          Flower name from Latin

        • Meaning:

          "pertaining to the wolf"

        • Description:

          Lupine (spelled Lupin outside of North America) is a flower related to sweetpeas. It was given its wolfish meaning because the plant was said to deplete the soil. Comedian Jenny Slate used it as a middle name for her daughter Ida in 2020.
      • Margaux

        • Origin:

          French spelling variation of Margo

        • Description:

          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.
      • Miette

        • Origin:

          French

        • Meaning:

          "crumb"

        • Description:

          Originally used as a diminutive of Marguerite, this French term of endearment is super-rare as a given name in France, but could make for a sweet alternative to Mia in English-speaking countries. A variation is Mietta.
      • Mignon

        • Origin:

          French

        • Meaning:

          "delicate, dainty"

        • Description:

          Charming French endearment, first used as a name by Goethe, that now makes an appealing choice -- though the proper feminine form is Mignonne. Note, though, that this is not actually used as a name in France, where Manon would be the closest choice.