500+ French Dog Names

Surname of French architect Jean Nouvel that became a given name when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie used it as the middle name of their daughter Shiloh.

This highly unusual name has been kicked up a notch, thanks to cooking guru Emeril Lagasse.

The middle name of the Travoltas' Ella, this French color alternative hasn't caught on with many other parents.

The y makes it seem more like a name and less like an animal, but it's still not as appealing as several Leo choices.

Although it has a sweet meaning, this name feels dated nowadays, like a fifties poodle skirt. Lavender may be a fresher alternative.

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

Relic of a past period of French favorites, out to pasture with Claudette and Paulette.

This French word for star sounds like even more of a celebrity-worthy choice than Star or Esther or Estella or Stella. But count on English speakers who never took high school French to stumble over the pronunciation.

Crescent is an intriguing word name with a pretty sound and links to the moon. Cressie could make for a cute nickname, as used in the Worst Witch children's TV series, short for Crescentmoon.

This Danielle/Monique hybrid offers a new twist on an old favorite.

Putting the emphasis on the "elle" softens a name that seems at once futuristic and medieval.

Thierry, which is very popular in France, would make an interesting import; it's somewhat familiar through designer Thierry Mugler and international soccer star Thierry Henry. It almost sounds like Terry, but not quite.

The Indre is a river in France. Spelled Indra, it's the name of a powerful deity worshipped by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains — roughly the South Asian equivalent of the Greek Zeus or Norse Odin. But either Indra or Indre might make a simple, captivating, attractive name for a modern little girl.

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

A traditional French male name that could, with American pronunciation, become an admirable word name.

Dior was among the fastest-rising names for both girls and boys in the US in the early 2020s, but was the fastest-falling name for boys in the 2023 statistics.

Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.

Has joined Chanel and Armani on the fashionista hit parade of names. The meaning of Dior is uncertain but it may be "gold".

Charming French endearment, first used as a name by Goethe, that now makes an appealing choice -- though the proper feminine form is Mignonne. Note, though, that this is not actually used as a name in France, where Manon would be the closest choice.