1200+ French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

Common in France, but could be confused with the feminine Maxine here.

Unisex option Dominique peaked for boys at Number 170 in 1991, perhaps due to the popularity of basketball player Dominique Wilkins. It's one of the most truly gender-neutral baby names right now.

Last popular in this country from the 1920s to the 1950s, it now seems more modern than the English Theresa.

Kids would be more likely to associate this name with the hyperactive meercat in "The Lion King" than with the ancient Greek philosopher or Shakespearean character, which could cause playground problems.

Varying Filbert does not improve the name: it still makes one think of a nut.

Desi makes Desiree a lot cuter and more boyish.

Attractive, underused name made famous by the heroine of The Color Purple. Still, if you're going to go to Celie, why not go all the way to Celia or Cecelia? You can always use Celie for short.

Chic in the fifties, now kept in the public eye mainly by actress Zellweger; today's parents seek more moderne Gallic choices.

Most contemporary parents would probably opt for the more streamlined Elle.

French Canadian singer Dion made us notice this variation, but most parents would prefer the Selene spelling.

Instead of the usual French suspects -- Danielle, Isabelle, Gabrielle -- why not consider Fabienne, which is less common and just as pretty.

Seems destined to be the preferred short form of this old French name, with its brief, modern, word name feel.

It's tempting to think of Gui as the Spanish form of Guy, but it's short for Guillermo.

Beach boy name of the 1960s, Darrell is still a presence on the charts and may graduate into a stately surname name.

Soft and delicate French name rarely heard here.

The memorable folk singer, an early single-name celeb, brought this into the spotlight. The French variation is Odette.

The iconic Gone With the Wind star Clark's surname was brought into the first-name mix when Weeds' Kevin Nealon picked it for his son. Gable makes a strong and unusual possibility, a rhyming cousin to Abel and Mabel.

Sophisticated, stylish feminine form of Pascal especially appropriate for girls born around Easter or Passover.