1200+ French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)
- Yann
Origin:
French/Breton variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
This might be a better choice than the similarly pronounced Jan, to avoid gender confusion.
- Daumier
Origin:
French artist nameDescription:
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.
- Eugène
- Angélique
Origin:
French variation of AngelicaDescription:
Proof that a name can be too feminine.
- Ésaïe
Origin:
French, HebrewMeaning:
"salvation of the lord"Description:
French variant of Isaiah
- Romaine
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"a Roman"Description:
In this country, likely to conjure up visions of leafy lettuce.
- Yvon
- Renon
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"place and surname"Description:
Straightforward but very unusual choice, deriving from a place name in Italy.
- Germaine
Origin:
French, feminine variation of GermainDescription:
Linked to the early days of feminism via Germaine Greer, this saint's name feels neither French nor German enough.
- Lionel
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"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-nameDescription:
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:
FrenchMeaning:
"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-nameDescription:
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 LatinMeaning:
"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 nameMeaning:
"wool worker"Description:
The fashionable occupational last name category gets some French flair with this, Tennessee Williams's middle name.
- Pacome
Origin:
French from GreekMeaning:
"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.