1200+ French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

Soft, amber-hued herbal and autumnal name that's used most often to describe the color of a horse. The proper spelling: Sorrel.

French Canadian singer Dion made us notice this variation, but most parents would prefer the Selene spelling.

Brigitte is the French version of the ancient Irish Brighid long associated with 1950s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot. If you want to pronounce Brigitte the French way, it's brih-ZHEET.

The kind of French name that seemed daring -- and darling -- in the sixties.

Has a musty 1940s feel. Try Georgia -- or Georgiana.

Caprice is a word name with an appealing sound and a light-hearted meaning. Caprice is a rare name, used for only ten baby girls in the US in 2023.

Truly offbeat, but just on the brink of outré.

Suzette has a kind of clunky retro charm – so kitsch it's almost cool again.

The French variation of Giselle was made famous by the spectacular Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

This name feels warmer and more human-appropriate in its longer version, but still retains that breezy feel. Trivia tidbit: Zephyrinus was a Jewish pope.

Relic of a past period of French favorites, out to pasture with Claudette and Paulette.

Oh, the many spellings of Rafaella. Those with Fs and double-Ls denote Italian origins, while an F and a single L is Spanish and Portuguese. The original Hebrew form is Raphaela.

Yet another creative character name from Toni Morrison, Denver was a daughter of Sethe's in the novel Beloved. Today Denver is most familiar as the name of the largest city in Colorado, used almost equally for girls and boys.

French version of Leah, currently popular with French-speaking parents. In this spelling, it looks pleasingly like the female equivalent of Leo (or Léo), and sounds like Leia.

Francois is the ultimate sophisticated French name.

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

Better go to the original Aurelia or Aurelie, if only for its similarity to the ord 'orally.' In pop culture, Oralie is a Pokemon name.

Nathaniel is a wonderful classic name and Nathanael, which may be an ancient Greek or Hebrew form, is appealing and has gravitas but may prove needlessly confusing in the modern world.

Unisex option Dominique peaked for boys at Number 170 in 1991, perhaps due to the popularity of basketball player Dominique Wilkins. It's one of the most truly gender-neutral baby names right now.

A smooth and velvety Gallic choice first heard here as the heroine of the movie "Chocolat."