1200+ French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

  1. Yann
    • Origin:

      French/Breton variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      This might be a better choice than the similarly pronounced Jan, to avoid gender confusion.
  2. Daumier
    • Origin:

      French artist name
    • Description:

      If you're seeking a French artist name that goes beyond Monet and Manet, Daumier -- known for his revealing caricatures -- makes a rich, sophisticated choice.
  3. Eugène
    • Angélique
      • Origin:

        French variation of Angelica
      • Description:

        Proof that a name can be too feminine.
    • Ésaïe
      • Origin:

        French, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "salvation of the lord"
      • Description:

        French variant of Isaiah
    • Romaine
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "a Roman"
      • Description:

        In this country, likely to conjure up visions of leafy lettuce.
    • Yvon
      • Renon
        • Origin:

          Italian
        • Meaning:

          "place and surname"
        • Description:

          Straightforward but very unusual choice, deriving from a place name in Italy.
      • Germaine
        • Origin:

          French, feminine variation of Germain
        • Description:

          Linked to the early days of feminism via Germaine Greer, this saint's name feels neither French nor German enough.
      • Lionel
        • Origin:

          French
        • Meaning:

          "young lion"
        • Description:

          Lionel is yet another traditional boy's name entering the girls' column--at least once-- via prizewinning novelist Lionel (born Margaret Ann) Shriver.
      • France
        • Origin:

          Place-name
        • Description:

          This geographic name has lots of Gallic elan. France Nuyen is a French-Vietnamese actress who starred in the Broadway hit The World of Suzie Wong.
      • Marcheline
        • Origin:

          French
        • Meaning:

          "warrior"
        • Description:

          Marcheline was the first name of Angelina Jolie's late mother, who was part French-Canadian, which Jolie and Brad Pitt used as the middle name for their twin daughter Vivienne. The name is related to the Latin Marcellus and Marcus, which come from Mars, the name of the God of War, and is often spelled Marceline. Jolie's mother's birth name was Marcia Lynne.
      • Louisiana
        • Origin:

          French place-name
        • Description:

          Louisiana is a geographic spin on the Louise theme. Pretty, if a bit of a syllable overload. Short form Lou or Lulu lightens it.
      • Josiane
        • Nanou
          • Benilde
            • Origin:

              French variation of Latin
            • Meaning:

              "good"
            • Description:

              The strong and unusual name of a medieval (male) saint and a contemporary (female) novelist, Benilde Little.
          • Filippa
            • Véra
              • Lanier
                • Origin:

                  French occupational name
                • Meaning:

                  "wool worker"
                • Description:

                  The fashionable occupational last name category gets some French flair with this, Tennessee Williams's middle name.
              • Pacome
                • Origin:

                  French from Greek
                • Meaning:

                  "of strong nature, or, pacifier"
                • Description:

                  Pacome is a French saint's name rarely heard in this country, but currently being revived in its native France.

                  Some variants are Pacomi, Pacomio and Pacomius.