Vintage French Girl's Names

Alexandrine

Variation of Alexandra, Greek

"defending men"

Alexandra is a name with many international variations, elaborations and short forms, and Alexandrine is one of the more unusual, found mostly in France and Germany. Another, Alexandrina, was the…

Virginie

French variation of Virginia, Latin

"virginal, pure"

Say Virginie they way they do in Paris -- VAIR-zhin-ee -- and it sounds elegant and appealing. But Americans might pronounce it like virgin-y, which is a no-go.

Claudine

French feminine variation of Claude

There are much chicer versions of this name today, such as Claudie, Claudia, or Claude itself. Claudine is a name wobbling on the edge of extinction.

Hortense

Latin

"of the garden"

Hortense is actually the French feminine form of Hortensia, the name of a strong, politically active early Roman woman. Hortense began to be used in the English-speaking world in the nineteenth…

Gilberte

French, feminine variation of Gilbert

You might be able to make this work if you pronounce it the sophisticated French way: zhil-bare.

Magdaleine

Magdaleine is an elegant variation of Magdalene, ultimately derived from Magdala, an ancient place name meaning 'tower' in Aramaic. The name carries profound religious significance through its…

Noémie

French variation of Naomi

Particularly pretty French version of the biblical standard.

Octavie

Octavie is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from the Roman name Octavius, meaning 'eighth' or 'born eighth.' It's the feminine form of Octave, particularly used in French-speaking regions.…

Aurélie

French form of Aurelia, Latin

"golden one"

Popular in Quebec and Belgium, this French form of the stylish Aurelia may appeal to those who enjoy Elodie and Amelie but want something with that appealing golden meaning. Popular in France back in…

Eléonore

Eléonore is the French form of Eleanor, a name with Greek origins meaning 'bright, shining one' or 'light.' The elegant accent over the first 'e' emphasizes its French pronunciation and adds a touch…

Adélaïde

French form of Adelaide, Germanic

"noble kind"

The French form of the dignified Adelaide, Adélaïde has been borne by Belgian, French, and Luxembourgish nobility, along with musician Héloïse Adélaïde Letissier. It re-entered the French Top 500 in…