739 French Girl Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

  1. Nicolette
    • Origin:

      French, diminutive of Nicole, feminine variation of Nicholas, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"
    • Description:

      Nicolette is the ultra-feminine name of an enchanting princess in the medieval French romance, Aucassin et Nicolette, a name that got stacks of publicity in the heyday of Desperate Housewives and its star Nicolette Sheridan. It was also the name of Chloe Sevigny's character in Big Love.
  2. Suzanne
    • Origin:

      French variation of Susan
    • Meaning:

      "lily"
    • Description:

      Suzanne became popular along with Susan but has just dropped out of the Top 1,000. Wait a generation (or two) in the US, though in France Suzanne is once again tres chic.
  3. Quincy
    • Origin:

      French from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "estate of the fifth son"
    • Description:

      Quincy is a Presidential surname name that actually sounds both cute and strong when used for a girl. For the first time ever, Quincy joined the Top 1000 roster for girls in 2023, given to over 250 baby girls that year.
  4. Arielle
    • Origin:

      French variation of Ariel
    • Meaning:

      "lion of God"
    • Description:

      While not as popular as the Ariel spelling of Little Mermaid fame, this rendition has achieved popularity in its own right.
  5. Claudette
    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Claude
    • Meaning:

      "lame; enclosure"
    • Description:

      Once seen as a dated French Claudette-Colbert feminization, along with Annette and Paulette, we can see Claudette moving into a more plausible Colette-Cosette arena. While some may be put off by the common "lame" meaning, some etymologists theorize that the name may relate to the word for enclosure or clause, an alternate meaning that may appeal to a child with a form of this otherwise-appealing name.
  6. Mai
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "coyote"
    • Description:

      Cross-cultural winner.
  7. Mauve
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "violet-colored"
    • Description:

      Mauve is an offbeat color name whose soft and sentimental Victorian spirit is conveyed by the name. One of the newer color names like Blue, Gray and Plum that are increasingly being used as novel middle names.
  8. Isabeau
    • Origin:

      French variation of Isabel
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      With Isabel getting so popular, parents are searching for new varieties of the name, and Isabeau is one that makes a lovely French twist.
  9. Roux
    • Origin:

      French From Latin
    • Meaning:

      "russet"
    • Description:

      Roux, a color name meaning russet or reddish brown, is a possible middle name for your little auburn-haired babe, though a post-Hunger Games child would more likely be called Rue. Roux is also a culinary term for a mixture of fat and flour used in French cooking to make sauces.
  10. Amandine
    • Origin:

      French, diminutive of Amanda
    • Meaning:

      "much-loved"
    • Description:

      This fragrant, almond-scented name has hardly been heard in this country, which is a pity--we've loved it since John Malkovich used it for his now grown daughter.
  11. Amalie
    • Origin:

      Danish, Norwegian, and German form of Amalia or Amelia
    • Meaning:

      "work"
    • Description:

      In European countries where it's regularly used as a form of the Amelia family of names, the pronunciation is very similar to the a-ending form, Amalia.
  12. Josette
    • Origin:

      French,pet form of JOSEPHINE, feminine of JOSEPH
    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"
    • Description:

      One of the group of French 'ette'-ending names that emigrated to this country in the last century, though never as popular as some others, such as Claudette and Paulette--it did have a little six-year flurry here between 1967 and 1973. Josette may be feminine and flirty, but, given the choice, most parents today would prefer Josephine.
  13. Mariel
    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Mary
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Mariel Hemingway popularized this attractive and unusual variation of Mary. It's a fairly recent form, emerging in the twentieth century. Other variations include Marielle and Mariella, which is found in Italy.
  14. Dominique
    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Dominic
    • Meaning:

      "belonging to a lord"
    • Description:

      Had a surge of popularity in the Dynasty days, now has subsided in the wake of fresher French choices like Destry and Delphine, though it retains its sense of sophistication. It's one of the most truly gender-neutral baby names right now.
  15. Monet
    • Origin:

      French artist name, from diminutive of Simon
    • Description:

      A new favorite of the bohemian set, brought to light by actress Monet Mazur, daughter of the artist who designed the Rolling Stones' mouth logo.
  16. Elinor
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Eleanor
    • Description:

      Slimmed down spelling is well-established and makes an old name more modern, for better and worse. Katie Couric spells her Elinor's name this way.
  17. Odile
    • Origin:

      French variation of German Otthild
    • Meaning:

      "prospers in battle"
    • Description:

      Odette's evil Swan Lake twin -- gives the name a sinuous, sensuous appeal.
  18. Anaise
    • Origin:

      Variation of Anais
    • Description:

      Anais, the name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin, is unusual and French enough without appending an e, though some may think it clarifies pronunciation.
  19. Tali
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "dew"
    • Description:

      Friendly and relaxed choice used by singer Annie Lennox for her daughter; Tal is a unisex Hebrew version.
  20. Emilie
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Emily; German and Scandinavian feminine form of Aemilius
    • Description:

      Unlike most creative spellings, this one isn't overly trendy or overdone—in fact, it's quite delicate and pretty. However, it is clearly suffering from the plethora of similar names that are flowing around right now (Emelie, Emilia, Emily, Emilee, Amelie, Amelia) and has fallen more than 300 spots since 2013. It might be time for Emilie and her sisters to be left alone for a while.