French Names from the 1900's & 1910's

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.

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.

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.

Simonne is a feminine name of French origin, representing the French feminine form of Simon. The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Shimon, meaning "he has heard" or "God has heard." This elegant variation features the characteristic French double consonants and final 'e' that create its distinctively refined pronunciation. Simonne enjoyed modest popularity in France throughout the 20th century and has maintained a presence in French-speaking regions worldwide. The name carries a sophisticated European flair while remaining recognizable and pronounceable to English speakers. Simonne offers parents an option with classical roots and French cultural associations, appealing to those seeking names with both historical depth and international style. Though never extremely common in English-speaking countries, Simonne represents a graceful alternative to the more familiar Simone spelling.

This is a soft, soignée French girls' namethat has become familiar here via singer Solange Knowles, younger sister of Beyonce.

Suzanne became popular along with Susan but has just dropped out of the Top 1,000. Wait a generation (or two) in the US, though in France Suzanne is once again tres chic.

A solid classic with plenty of history, Thomas strikes the balance between strength and gentleness. A favorite in the UK, a staple in France, and Australia, and never absent from the US Top 100, Thomas feels like a safe bet and a name that fits into any era.

Ulysse is the French form of Ulysses, derived from the Latin Ulixes and Greek Odysseus, the legendary hero of Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey." This masculine name embodies qualities of cunning intelligence, resourcefulness, and perseverance through adversity. In France and other French-speaking regions, Ulysse maintains modest popularity and carries connotations of classical education and cultural sophistication. The name suggests a journey or adventure, reflecting the decade-long voyage of its namesake. With its classical roots yet distinctive sound, Ulysse appeals to parents seeking a name with historical depth that remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries while being recognized internationally.

Romantic name used throughout Europe, though sure to lead to pronunciation problems here. Though it's never been too widely used in the US, it's quite popular in Switzerland, France, Austria, and Romania.

Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.

Victor is one of the earliest Christian names, borne (as Vittorio) by several saints and popes, symbolizing Christ's victory over death. It has been quietly in the Top 200 since 1880, but just recently has taken on a cool edge by fashionable parents in London and seems ripe for a similar reevaluation here too.

Victoria is the Latin word for "victory" and a feminine form of Victor. It is the name of the ancient Roman goddess of victory, the equivalent of the Greek Nike, and also a popular third century saint.

Now that Violet is becoming more popular, parents are starting to explore same-but-different options such as the French Violette, which would properly be pronounced with a long e sound in the first syllable and three syllables -- vee-oh-let -- as well as the Spanish Violeta — both of which were among the fastest-rising girl names of 2023.

Yolande is a feminine name of medieval French origin derived from the Germanic elements 'yol' meaning 'viking' or 'valiant' and 'lande' meaning 'land' or 'territory'. It was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest and gained popularity throughout medieval Europe. The name has royal connections, having been borne by several medieval queens and noblewomen, including Yolande of Aragon in the 15th century. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, Yolande has maintained a consistent presence, appreciated for its elegant, vintage sound and distinctive character. Alternative forms include Yolanda, Iolanthe, and Violante, which evolved in different European languages.

Peaking in the 1950s, Yvonne has now dropped out of the Top 1000 in 2003 and doesn't look set to return soon, although its rare Y initial might endear it to some. Yvaine, from Neil Gaiman's Stardust, has more modern appeal.

A cute, zippy French saint's name that's picking up in popularity there, and starting to in the US as well. Zélie originated as a short form of Azélie, thought to derive from Adelaide via the Occitan form Azalaïs. Saint Zélie was born Marie-Azélie.

Zoe is one of those surprising names that has been on the Top 1000 nearly every year since 1880, but it's only since the turn of this century that it's ranked in the Top 100.