1200+ French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

An appealing surname-name that sounds perfectly feminine, unless you consider the association to Vice President Dick.

Pleasant-sounding French surname.

A sophisticated girls' name for those attracted to Leona, Leonie and Leonore.

Rare French option for girls, but feels familiar thanks to the popularity of Sebastian.

This name of a famous Parisian fashion designer known for her sophisticated 1920s and 30s style could translate into a pretty American baby name.

How to spruce up Fisher or Beau? This French surname-name might be an option for a parent unafraid of the unusual. The name derives from Barbel, a type of fish, which is how it became a surname for some fishermen.

Fervent fans of The Catcher in the Rye might want to consider this as a literary tribute. More mainstream alternative: Holden.

Rarely heard but pleasing feminissima name for a baby girl.

This Frenchified variation softens and prettifies the harsh original.

Surname of a fifteenth-century saint and a twenty-first-century quarterback, Brett Favre.

We can think of two drawbacks to this name: the slightly feminine el ending, and the resemblance to the delicate dumpling called a quenelle.

This name's all-male occupational roots help it break the Barbara bonds, but still not the most inspiring surname choice.

There are not one but two notable modern women with this name: journalist Christiane Amanpour and physician/author Christiane Northrup. In Germany, the pronunciation is kris-tee-AH-na while in France, it's kris-tee-AHN — and in the U.S., there's sure to be confusion. While Christiane is not stylish, it's a strong, attractive, unusual-though-familiar name.

Porter is one clubby surname or occupational that was given to around 80 baby girls in the US last year -- and nearly 600 baby boys.