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French Names from the 1900's & 1910's

  1. Hippolyte

    • Origin:

      French from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "releaser of horses"

    • Description:

      Hippolyte is the name of an Amazonian princess AND her son, both unfortunate mythical figures. The name Hippolyte, later borne by several saints, is a not an uncommon boys' name in France, but has barely set foot on American soil and is unlikely to do so. It was the middle name of famed French playwright Jean Giraudoux.
  2. Laure

    • Origin:

      French form of Laura, English from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from Laurentum or bay laurel"

    • Description:

      Laure is a feminine French name derived from the Latin 'laurus,' meaning 'laurel tree' - a symbol of victory and honor in ancient times. It functions as both a standalone name and the French form of Laura. Elegant and understated, Laure has maintained consistent usage in France and French-speaking regions while remaining relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries.
  3. Eglantine

    • Origin:

      French and English botanical name

    • Meaning:

      "sweetbriar"

    • Description:

      This name for the sweetbriar shrub is a bit too reminiscent of eggplant, but it does have literary creds, having appeared in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The French form Églantine appeared in the charts in the first half of the 20th century and again in the 2000s.
  4. Octave

    • Origin:

      French form of Octavius, Latin, or English word name

    • Meaning:

      "eighth; musical and poetry term"

    • Description:

      Octave shortens Octavius to a more manageable length, keeping the "eighth" meaning. In English speaking countries, however, people could easily confuse this with the musical and poetrry term octave. This, however, might not be considered a bad thing, or even an accident. Cadence, Lyric, Poem, and Anthem had seen increased interest, so why not this musical word?

      The name appeared in the US stats in 2024 for the first time since the late 60s, when it was given to 6 boys.
  5. Albanie

    • Description:

      Albanie is a feminine name of French origin, representing a lyrical feminine form of Albany or a variant spelling of Albanie, the French word for Albania. The name carries an elegant, romantic quality with its soft sounds and French aesthetic. As a place name, it connects to the historic Scottish title 'Duke of Albany' and the capital of New York State. Albanie remains quite rare in English-speaking countries, making it a distinctive choice that still feels accessible and pronounceable. With its three melodic syllables and feminine ending, Albanie offers parents a beautiful alternative to more common names like Melanie or Stephanie while maintaining a similar rhythmic flow.

  6. Honorine

    • Origin:

      French from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "honor"

    • Description:

      The pure, simple HONOR--as chosen by Jessica Alba, is perfect as it is. It does have some literary cred though--Henry James created a character called Honorine for his novel The Tragic Muse.
  7. Romain

    • Description:

      Romain is a masculine name of French origin derived from the Latin 'Romanus,' meaning 'Roman' or 'from Rome.' This classic name has been used in France for centuries, honoring the historical significance of Roman culture. It remains quite popular in French-speaking regions while maintaining a sophisticated, international appeal elsewhere. The name carries connotations of strength and civility, reflecting the cultural impact of the Roman Empire. In English-speaking countries, Romain offers a distinctive alternative to the more common Roman. Notable bearers include French writers, athletes, and artists, which has helped maintain its cultural relevance. The name has a refined, intellectual quality while still sounding strong and masculine. Its pronunciation (ro-MAN) adds to its elegant, continental character, making it appealing for parents seeking a name with European sophistication.

  8. Ernestine

    • Origin:

      Femeninization of Ernest, English from German

    • Meaning:

      "serious, resolute"

    • Description:

      One time joke name, à la Lily Tomlin's bossy telephone operator, Ernestine is ready for a possible reevaluation, like cousins Josephine and Clementine.
  9. Rachelle

    • Origin:

      French variation of Rachel

    • Description:

      Elaboration of Rachel sometimes seen in France, but more rarely here.
  10. Arnaud

    • Origin:

      French variation of Arnold

    • Meaning:

      "ruler, strong as an eagle"

    • Description:

      French given and surname.
  11. Luce

    • Description:

      Luce is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from 'lux' meaning 'light.' Used primarily in French and Italian cultures, Luce functions as either a standalone name or as a shortened form of Lucille, Lucia, or Lucienne. In France, it has maintained steady but modest popularity for centuries, appreciated for its elegance and simplicity. The name carries positive associations with illumination, clarity, and brightness, reflecting its etymological connection to light. In English-speaking countries, Luce remains uncommon but recognizable, offering a sophisticated European alternative to more familiar light-themed names like Lucy or Claire. Its brevity and soft sound give it a subtle charm, while its meaning provides rich symbolic significance. Luce balances traditional roots with a contemporary minimalist appeal.
  12. Lydie

    • Description:

      Lydie is a feminine name with French origins, representing the French form of Lydia. The name traces back to ancient times, derived from the historic region of Lydia in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). The name means 'from Lydia' and has connections to the ancient Greek culture. In France and French-speaking regions, Lydie has maintained steady usage, appreciated for its elegant simplicity and classical roots. The name has a delicate, refined quality while remaining straightforward to pronounce. While less common in English-speaking countries than the form Lydia, Lydie offers a subtle French twist that appeals to parents seeking names with European flair. The name carries associations with culture and refinement, reflecting its ancient heritage and continued use in sophisticated naming traditions.
  13. Maximilien

    • Origin:

      French, from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "greatest"

    • Description:

      Like Maximilian, but with an attractive French twist.
  14. Paule

    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Paul

    • Description:

      This, the simplest French female version of Paul, was brought into the U. S. mix by novelist Paule Marshall, whose roots are in the West Indies.
  15. Cyrille

    • Origin:

      French from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "lordly"

    • Description:

      A unisex French name, but you may want to simplify your son's life if you're English speakers by going with Cyril. It's an unusual enough name that it doesn't need further complications of spelling and pronunciation.
  16. Ambroise

    • Description:

      Ambroise is the French form of the Latin name Ambrosius, which is derived from the Greek word 'ambrosia,' meaning 'immortal' or 'divine.' This name carries connotations of longevity and heavenly association. Ambroise was popularized by several saints, most notably Saint Ambrose of Milan, a 4th-century bishop and Doctor of the Church. In France, this classic name has maintained steady, though modest, usage throughout the centuries. While Ambroise never reached tremendous popularity in English-speaking countries, it remains appreciated for its sophisticated sound and rich historical connections. The name evokes a sense of timeless elegance with its mellifluous pronunciation and distinguished heritage.
  17. Philibert

    • Description:

      Philibert is a masculine name of Germanic origin, combining the elements 'fili' meaning 'lover' or 'friend' and 'berht' meaning 'bright' or 'famous,' thus conveying the meaning 'very bright one' or 'distinguished friend.' This aristocratic name was particularly popular among medieval European nobility, especially in France and parts of what is now Belgium and Switzerland. Several dukes of Savoy bore this name, contributing to its historical prestige. Though rare in modern English-speaking countries, Philibert maintains some usage in French-speaking regions. The name carries an air of classical elegance and historical depth, appealing to parents drawn to uncommon names with noble European heritage. Potential nicknames include Phil, Bert, or the French-influenced Fili. The name's distinguished history makes it a distinctive choice with aristocratic associations.
  18. Georges

    • Origin:

      French form of George, from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "farmer"

    • Description:

      The S may confuse English speakers, but it's a French classic.
  19. Victoire

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "victory"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      French, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "lion"

    • Description:

      A chic French vintage name on the rise there for both sexes, which would make for an unconventional route to Leo.

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