Francophile Naming Guide –– Biblical Names for Boys and Girls

French version of Leah, currently popular with French-speaking parents. In this spelling, it looks pleasingly like the female equivalent of Leo (or Léo), and sounds like Leia.

Mahalath is a biblical feminine name of Hebrew origin found in the Old Testament. It appears as the name of Esau's wife (Genesis 28:9) and also as a daughter of Jerimoth, who became one of King Rehoboam's wives (2 Chronicles 11:18). The meaning is somewhat debated, with interpretations including "sickness," "stringed instrument," or possibly "dance." The musical connection seems most likely, as "Mahalath" also appears in the titles of Psalms 53 and 88, possibly referring to a melody or musical instruction. While never common as a given name, Mahalath has occasionally been used by those seeking a distinctive biblical name with historical resonance. Its unusual sound and cadence give it an exotic quality among biblical names, though its usage remains quite rare in contemporary naming practices.

Malte began as a short form of the now-obsolete Ancient Germanic name Helmold. Helmold has gone extinct, but Malte has survived and is now enjoying a popularity resurgence in Germany and Sweden.

Mara is the evocative ancient root of Mary, appearing in the Book of Ruth, in which Naomi, devastated after the death of her two sons, says "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara." It's one of the girl names starting with M that both fits in and stands out.

Designer (as in Marc Jacobs) form of Mark. An international classic, but long falling in popularity as a boys' name.

The ubiquitous French version of Mary came into the English-speaking world in the nineteenth century. In the United States, Marie was a huge hit at the turn of the last century and for the ensuing fifty years, becoming the seventh most popular name in the country for three years, from 1901 to 1904.

While the (male) French form is pronounced in English like the girls' name Michelle and the German form had a hard k-like sound in the middle, this variation of Michael is distinguished by being used evenly for girls and boys in the U.S. For either gender, though, pronunciation issues will dominate.

Moab is a Biblical name and an ancient place name. In the Old Testament, Moab was the son of Lot. The Kingdom of Moab, in modern-day Jordan, was Biblically significant for often being in conflict with Israel.

Moïse is the French form of Moses, a name with Hebrew origins meaning 'drawn out of the water,' referencing the biblical account of baby Moses being rescued from the Nile. This elegant variation maintains the historical and religious significance of the original while adding French sophistication through its pronunciation (moh-EEZ) and the distinctive diaeresis over the 'i.' Particularly common in French-speaking regions including France, Quebec, Haiti, and parts of Africa, Moïse carries both biblical gravitas and cultural refinement. The name experienced periods of popularity in French-speaking Jewish communities and among Christians drawn to biblical names. While less familiar in English-speaking countries than the standard Moses, Moïse offers international appeal for parents seeking a name with deep historical roots and spiritual significance that works well in multiple language contexts.