Les Coquettes

Names heard around the Left Bank of Paris.
  1. Adele
    • Origin:

      French diminutive of Adelaide
    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility"
    • Description:

      Credit the award-winning single-named British singer for taking the girls’ name Adele from a quiet semi-retirement back into currency. Adele reentered the US Top 1000 popular baby names in 2011 and has remained there ever since.
  2. Agnes
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "pure, virginal"
    • Description:

      Agnes is the Latin variation of the name Hagne, which itself derived from the Greek word hagnos, meaning "chaste." In medieval times, St. Agnes was a very popular saint, leading to its popularity as a girl's name. Agnes Grey is the title of one of the two novels written by Anne Brontë.
  3. Amalie
    • Origin:

      Danish, Norwegian, and German form of Amalia or Amelia
    • Meaning:

      "work"
    • Description:

      In European countries where it's regularly used as a form of the Amelia family of names, the pronunciation is very similar to the a-ending form, Amalia.
  4. 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.
  5. Aude
    • Anne Sophie
      • 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.
      • Chloe
        • Origin:

          Greek
        • Meaning:

          "young green shoot"
        • Description:

          Chloe is a pretty springtime name symbolizing new growth. Though slightly off its peak in the Top 10 in 2010, Chloe still ranks in the Top 20 and is solidly a modern classic.
      • Clea
        • Origin:

          Literary name
        • Description:

          An attractive and unusual name that may be a variation of Cleo, Clea was possibly invented by Lawrence Durrell for a character in his Alexandria Quartet.
      • Constance
        • Origin:

          English version of Latin Constantia
        • Meaning:

          "steadfastness"
        • Description:

          Constance is one of the more subtle of the virtue baby names, but still has quite a prim and proper image. One impediment to its revival has been the decidedly dated nickname Connie, though modern parents might well opt for using the strong and dignified name in full.
      • Elise
        • Origin:

          French variation of Elizabeth
        • Meaning:

          "pledged to God"
        • Description:

          Elise is one of those golden names that stylish but not TOO popular. Its appeal is due in large part to its French flair and to the love for El-names in general.
      • Ellie
        • Origin:

          English, diminutive of Eleanor and Ellen
        • Meaning:

          "bright shining one"
        • Description:

          Ellie first took off in the UK—yes, in this nickname form—and this warm and friendly name has also become hugely popular here. In 2011, Ellie entered the US Top 100 girl names for the first time and has remained near the top of the charts ever since.
      • Emmeline
        • Origin:

          Old French form of archaic German Amal
        • Meaning:

          "work"
        • Description:

          Emmeline is an Emma relative and Emily cousin that is destined for greater use in the wake of the megapopularity of those two names. A recommended Nameberry fave, Emmeline hopped onto the US Top 1000 in 2014 for the first time ever. While it is genuinely an old name, it was rarely used a century ago; only 17 baby girls were named Emmeline in 1915, the same number as were named Ernie!
      • Garance
        • Heloise
          • Origin:

            French from German
          • Meaning:

            "healthy; wide"
          • Description:

            Heloise is an ancient name related to sleek, peppy classic Eloise. Both ultimately derive from the Germanic name Helewidis, which became Helewis in medieval England. In the twelfth century, the name was borne by the beloved of the French philosopher Pierre Abelard, who was considered to be one of the most learned women of the Middle Ages.
        • Ines
          • Origin:

            Italian, Portuguese, Slovene and Croatian variation of Agnes
          • Meaning:

            "pure, virginal"
          • Description:

            This form of Agnes, Ines has always been popular since the true story of the thwarted lovers Queen Ines of Castro and King Peter of Portugal. This has to be one of the most heartbreaking and bloody true romances in history!
        • Isobel
          • Origin:

            Scottish variation of Isabel
          • Meaning:

            "pledged to God"
          • Description:

            The Scottish spelling of Isabel has a definite character of her own, the 'o' giving her an extra infusion of strength but also an element of confusion. How do you pronounce that? Answer: Exactly like Isabel or Isabelle.
        • Laurel
          • Origin:

            Latin
          • Meaning:

            "laurel tree"
          • Description:

            Laurel takes Laura back to its meaning in nature, resulting in a gentle, botanical option. Even more directly than Laura, Laurel relates back to the laurel wreath signifying success and peace in ancient Rome.
        • Lea
          • Origin:

            Variation of Lee or Leah
          • Meaning:

            "meadow; weary"
          • Description:

            While traditionally pronounced as a homonym for Lee, Glee actress Lea Michele pronounces her name like Leah, and it may also rhyme with Freya. Regardless of your preferred pronunciation, it's interesting to note that Lea has always charted in the US Top 1000, despite coming close to the bottom a few times, making it one of the girl names starting with L that both fits in and stands out.
        • Leona
          • Origin:

            Latin
          • Meaning:

            "lioness"
          • Description:

            A Top 100 name from 1896 to 1921, Leona reached as high as Number 72. Since then, Leona had seemed to be one of the most unfashionable of the pride of lion names, but singer Leona Lewis has done a lot to rejuvenate it. Leona returned to the Top 1000 in 2009 after decades of being away.