739 French Girl Names

Gemstone names have a long history of use, from Ruby to Pearl. Emeraude is the French word for emerald. If the Spanish Esmeralda is stylish, why not Emeraude?

Leona with a French accent that gives it a bit more flair. It's currently very popular there – in the Top 30 for French baby girls.

One of the jewel names in use a hundred years ago, due for revival along with sisters Ruby and Pearl.

Five girls were given the name Perrine last year. More modern-sounding are Perrin, Perry, or even Petra.

Biblical name long associated with the fallen-yet-redeemed Mary Magdalen, now rising improbably into the ranks of the fashionable among parents hungry for classic yet distinctive girls' names. The Magdalene and Magdalena versions are perhaps even more stylish. Can be shortened to Maggie or Magda but the full version is prettiest. One of our new favorites!

Though it's French, most Americans would pronounce it as the stone.

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

This name is hanging on as Renee, thanks to Ms. Zellweger, and in newer forms Renae and Renny.

Sounds like a princess -- or an enticingly evil witch -- in a fairy tale.

Desi makes Desiree a lot cuter and more boyish.

Though this name properly takes an accent over the first e, most Americans would probably have trouble pronouncing it with French elan.

Charlie and its many forms are on the rise -- including Charley, which relates more directly to the male formal name Charles. Surprisingly, though, while the number of girls and boys named Charlie are nearly even, there are six times as many girls named Charley than boys. The Charley spelling is now a fixture in the Top 600, though it remains less popular than Charlee for girls.

Fine in France, but here it means vegetables sliced into thin strips.

Alexandra is a name with many international variations, elaborations and short forms, and Alexandrine is one of the more unusual. Another, Alexandrina, was the first name of Queen Victoria.

This unique baby name is stronger, more distinctive than April or Avril.

Whether you spell it Lisette or Lizette, a somewhat dated diminutive that nevertheless retains some charm.