French Names for Babies
Donna Murray, RN, BSN www.facebook.com Donna Murray
French names are some of the most beautiful out there, making them perfect for your new baby. We've rounded up 100 French names, along with their meanings and origins for you to choose from.
/favicon.ico
Parents
France is a country well-known for its beautiful sights, food and wine, and its rich history and culture. France is also known for its romantic and elegant language, providing the perfect inspiration for baby names. There are many reasons to consider a French name for your child. It may be to honor your ancestry—or maybe you're just into all things France, you love the sound of the name, or you’re looking for something a little different.

French names can represent prominent figures in art and science such as Claude and Louis, or saints such as Claire and Dominque. They can be trendy like Gabrielle and Leo or uniquely French like Fleur and François. Read on to learn about 100 popular and unique French names that are très magnifique!

Top 10 French Baby Names

These are the most popular French baby names, along with their meanings, origins, and other interesting information.

Brice

Origin: French, English, Scottish

Meaning: Speckled; son of a nobleman

Alternative Spellings & Variations: Bri, Bricio, Bricius, Bryce, Brychan, Brye

Famous Namesakes: American actor James Brice Beckham, American football player Brice Butler, French politician Brice Hortefeux, American basketball player (Jonathan) Brice Johnson, American artist Brice Marden, American football player Brice Antwion McCain, American singer (William) Brice Long

Peak Popularity: Brice was consistent top 1,000 name from 1959 to 2015, but has now fallen from the list. It was most popular in 1988 when it reached a rank of 459. The variant Bryce is more popular, ranking in the top 100 from 1998–2002. It remained in the top 200 until 2018.

Camille

Origin: English, Latin, French

Meaning: Girl in white, religious attendant

Alternative Spellings & Variations: Camilla, Camia, Camiel, Camile, Camilia, Camill, Camilya, Cammille, Cammyl, Camylle, Chamelea, Chamelle, Camielle, Camil, Camillia, Cammilla, Cammillie, Cammilyn, Cammyll, Camyle, Camyll, Chamelia, Chamika, Chamila, Chamilia, Chamille, Kamille

Famous Namesakes: French-Swiss violinist Camille Berthollet, French sculptor Camille Claudel, American actress and model Camille Constance Anderson, American academic and social critic Camille Anna Paglia, American reality TV personality and ex-wife of actor Kelsey Grammar Camille Grammar, American tennis player Cammile Benjamin.

Peak Popularity: Camille was a historically male name that became a female name in the last 150 years or so. In 1911 and 1915, it was in the top 1000 names for boys. For girls in the U.S., Camille was number 496 in 1900 and had its most popular year in 2012 when it hit number 238.

Charles

Origin: French, German, Teutonic

Meaning: Strong and manly; free man; farmer

Alternative Spellings & Variations: Carl, Carroll, Chad, Char, Charlemagne, Charleston, Charley, Charlie, Charlot, Charls, Charlton,, Charly, Chas, Chay, Chaz, Chazz, Chick, Chip, Chuck

Famous Namesakes: Holy Roman Emperor Charles I “the Great” (aka Charlemagne), Holy Roman Emperors Charles II - VI, Kings of France Charles II-IX, Kings of Sweden Charles I-XIII, American cartoonist Charles Samuel “Chas” Addams, American basketball player Charles Wade Barkley, American musician Charles Edward Anderson “Chuck” Berry, American novelist (Henry) Charles Bukowski.

Peak Popularity: Charles is a popular, classic, age-old name. It has been in the top 100 in the U.S. for well over 100 years.

Charlotte

Origin: French, English, Old German

Meaning: Strong and free

Alternative Spellings & Variations: Charo, Char, Charla, Lotta, Carline, Carlotte, Carlyne, Charill, Chariot, Charlaine, Charlet, Charlett, Charletta, Charlette, Charlisa, Charlita, Charlott, Charlotty, Charlyne, Charolet, Charolette, Charalot, Charolotte, Cheryl, Cheryn

Famous Namesakes: English writer Charlotte Bronte, American author Charlotte Armstrong, American model Charlotte McKinney, French architect and designer Charlotte Perriand, American singer Charlotte Ann Martin, American actor Charlotte Rae, American actor Charlotte Ross, American actor Charlotte D’Amboise, Princess of the U.K. Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

Peak Popularity: Charlotte is a long-honored traditional name that is very trendy. It has been a top 100 name in the U.S. for more than half of the last century. It has been a top 10 name since 2014 and was number four in 2020. Charlotte is a top 100 name in France.

Chloé

Origin: French, Greek

Meaning: Flourishing and blooming

Alternative Spellings & Variations: Clo, Cloe, Cloy, Kloe, Chloee, Cloeie, Khloe, Khloey, Chloie, Cloee, Cloie

Famous Namesakes: American actor Chloe Bridges, American dancer and model Chloe Elizabeth Lukasiak, American actor Chloe Grace Moretz, American snowboarder Chloe Kim, American actor and fashion designer Chloe Stevens Sevigny, American swimmer Chloe Elizabeth Sutton, American actor Chloe Webb, American author Chloe Gayle Rose

Peak Popularity: Chloe is another tremendously popular and trendy name. It made the top 100 from 1998-2008, and was in the top 10 from 2008 to 2011, but dropped back to the top 30 since then. Chloe is also very popular in France where it has been in the top 10 for over 20 years.

Gabriel

Origin: French, Hebrew

Meaning: God is the strength and hero

Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gab, Gabbi, Gabbie, Gabby, Gabe, Gabel, Gabell, Gabelle, Gabi, Gabian, Gabie, Gabiel, Gabin, Gabirel, Gabko, Gabo, Gábor, Gabreal, Gabrial, Gabriele, Gabrielli, Gabriello, Gabrielo, Gabryel, Gaby, Gabys

Famous Namesakes: American actor (Louis) Gabriel Basso III, American NFL player Gabriel Andrew “Gabe” Carimi, Son of singer Joan Baex and David Harris - Gabriel Harris, Canadian actor, Gabriel Hogan, American comedian Gabrial Jesus Inglesias.

Peak Popularity: Gabriel has been around for thousands of years, and it was in the top 25 from 2008–2016. It is a top 10 name in France.

Genevieve

Origin: French, German, Celtic

Meaning: Belonging to the tribe or race of women

Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gen, Gena, Genaveeve, Genavieve, Genavive, Gene, Geneera, Geneva, Geneveeve, Genever, Genevie, Genevievre, Genie, Genivieve, Genoveve, Genovia, Genovieve, Genovive, Genvieve, Ginata, Ginett, Ginetta, Ginette, Gineveve, Ginevieve, Ginevive, Ginnetta, Ginnette, Guinevieve, Guinivive, Gwenevieve, Gwenivive, Janeva, Jenevieve, Jennavieve

Famous Namesakes: Patron Saint of Paris, France Saint Genevieve, American actress Genevieve Nicole Padalecki, American interior designer and TV host Genevieve Gorder, American actress Genevieive Knight Hannelius, American actress Genevieve Tobin, American poet Genevieve Taggard, American actress Genevieve Rose Angelson.

Peak Popularity: Genevieve is a well-established name that has been around for a long time. It was number 142 in 1900 and a top 100 name from 1909 through 1923. Its popularity decreased a little from the 1950s until 2000, but it is once again rising in the ranks.

Josephine

Origin: French

Meaning: God will add or increase

Alternative Spellings & Variations: Fifine, Fina, Finetta, Finette, Hosefa, Jo, Joetta, Joette, Joey, Jojo, Joline, Josafene, Josana, Josanna, Josanne, Josaphine, Josebe, Josée, Josefa, Josefena, Josefene, Josefine, Josepha, Josephe, Josephene, Josephina, Josephyna, Josetta, Josette, Joseva, Joseve, Josey, Josiane, Josianna, Josianne, Josie, Josine, Josipha, Josy, Jozsa, Jozsi, Jozska, Pepina, Pepita, Sephie, Sephine, Yosebe, Yosepha, Yosephina

Famous Namesakes: Empress of France and wife of Napoleon - Josephine de Beauharnias, Queen of Sweden and Norway Josephine of Leuchtenberg, Princess of Belgium Joséphine Caroline Marie Albertine, English feminist and reformer Josephine Elizabeth Butler, American folk singer Josephine Foster, American reformer Josephine Clara Goldmark.

Peak Popularity: Josephine is a vintage name that never goes out of style. It is also popular in France where it is in the top 100.

Leo

Origin: French, English, Latin, Greek

Meaning: Bold like a lion

Alternative Spellings & Variations: Leao, Lee, Leib, Leibel, Leio, Léo, Leoh, Leon, Leonardo, Leoncio, Leond, Leonn, Leontios, Lev, Lio, Lion, Liutas, Lyo, Lyon

Famous Namesakes: French composer Leo Arnaud, son of actors Kim Raver and Manuel Boyer - Leo Kipling Boyer, English actor Leo Gratten Carroll, son of actor Javier Bardem and actress Penelope Cruz- Leonardo Encinas Cruz, American actor and producer Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio.

Peak Popularity: Leo is a time-honored name for boys. It was number 46 in 1900, and it's just as trendy today. In 2010, it ranked 50 in the U.S. and has been in the top 10 in France since 2012.

Zoe

Origin: French, Greek

Meaning: Vibrant and full of life

Alternative Spellings & Variations: Zoa, Zoë, Zoee, Zoelie, Zoeline, Zoelle, Zoey, Zoia, Zoie, Zooey, Zowey, Zoya, Zoyechka, Zoyenka

Famous Namesakes: American actress Zoë Yadira Saldaña Nazario, American actress and musician (daughter of actress Lisa Bonet and singer Lenny Kravitz) Zoë Isabella Kravitz, American actress Zoe Swicord Kazan.

Peak Popularity: Zoe is a trendy name. It's classic but saw a big boom in the 1990s. It's been in the top 100 since 2000 and reached number 30 in 2012.

Popular French Names for Girls

Below are some additional pretty French names for baby girls.

Aimée: A fairly popular name in the U.S. in the '70s and '80s. In 1976, it reached a rank of 123 on the top 1,000 list of names for girls. It fell out of the top 1,000 in 2016.

Antoinette: With a French and Latin origin, it means praiseworthy.

Bernadette: Like the famous Bernadette Peters, of course.

Blanche: A vintage name that's centuries old.

Chanel: Like No. 5, naturally.

Claire: This sweet name means "clear" and "brightly shining."

Clementine: If it makes you think of Eternal Sunshine, you wouldn't be alone.

Colette: Colette was a constant on the top 1,000 list from 1928 until 1986 when it disappeared. It reemerged in 2012 and was number 529 in 2020.

Corinne: This pretty moniker means "maiden."

Danielle: Danielle was extremely popular in the U.S. from 1971 through 2004.

Denise: This name is derived from the wine god, Dionysius.

Desiree: Desiree made the top 1,000 in 1954 and rose to a rank of 95 in 1983. But, it began to fall drastically after 2010 and was no longer in the top 1,000 as of 2020.

Dominique: The name Dominique peaked in 1985 when it made it to number 83 out of the top 1,000.

Elaine: Meaning "bright, shining light," this name has been popular for over 100 years.

Fleur: You don't get much more French than this name, meaning "flower."

Francine: A less common name today, Francine was in the top 500 names for girls from 1932-1972.

Gabrielle: An old name, Gabrielle became popular in the U.S in the late 1950s.

Giselle: This pretty French name means "a promise or a pledge."

Jacqueline: This moniker has sat in the Top 1,000 names for over a century, peaking in the 1960s.

Jeanne: Another name that's been around for centuries, Jeanne dropped off the Top 1,000 list in 1991.

Jewel: A classic name, and one millennials might love if it makes them think of the iconic singer.

Jolie: Yes, as in Angelina. This French name means "pretty."

Juliet: This sweet French name means "forever young."

Lorraine: Lorraine was a top 100 name in the U.S. from 1918 to 1948. After that, it saw a slow decline in popularity until it fell off the top 1,000 list in 1996.

Lourdes: Like other French names, this one has to do with a location, and means "from the town of Lourdes" in France.

Louise: Meaning "brave warrior," this name has been in the top 10 in France since 2010.

Lucie: While less popular in the U.S., this name might be ready for a resurgence, since it's in the top 100 in France.

Madeleine: A traditional name that might conjure memories of your favorite children's book!

Mallory: Once a last name, this one turned into a first name, making the U.S.'s top 1,000 list in 1983.

Manon: While uncommon in the U.S., Manon has been a top 10 name in France for the past 20 years.

Margot: Margot is a top 100 name in France and means "child of light.

Marie: An age-old name that remains a staple in French culture.

Michelle: Michelle made the top 1,000 list in 1938. It was a top 100 name from 1954 to 2008 and reached number 2 in 1968, 1969, 1971, and 1972.

Monique: Meaning "a wise counselor," Monique became a top 1,000 name in the U.S. in 1955.

Nicolette: This name is less common in the U.S., and means "a victory of the people."

Noel: Peaking in 1987, Noel has several spelling variations including Noell, Noelle, and Noele.

Odette: A unique name meaning "poem" or "wealthy."

Patrice: This name was most popular in the U.S. in 1958, with a rank of 211.

Pauline: A classic French name that remained a top 100 in the U.S. until 1939.

Renée: Meaning "born again" or "reborn," this name has seen a sharp decline in use over the years.

Simone: A classic name meaning "hearkening."

Suzette: Suzette was a top 1,000 name in 1943 and then from 1946 to 1978. It was most popular in the 1960s and reached number 341 in 1967.

Violette: A vintage name honoring the purple-blue flower.

Yvonne: This moniker has been a top 1,000 name for over a century and means "yew wood."

Popular French Names for Boys

Below, you'll find a collection of popular and unique French names for boys.

Antoine: Meaning "praiseworthy" and "priceless, this name was on the top 1,000 list for boys in the early 1900s.

Armand: An old name, Armand ranks in the top 200 in France.

Arthur: Arthur is a traditional name that is centuries old, and means "noble one" and "bear.

Claude: Claude was very popular in the first half of the 20th century. It was a top 200 name until 1953, but it slowly decreased in use over the next 40 years until it dropped out of the top 1,000 in 1994.

Denis: A very old name that was most popular in the U.S. in 1952.

François: Meaning "a man from France," this name is unique in the U.S. but, unsurprisingly, very common in France.

Frederic: Frederic was in the top 1,000 in the U.S. until 1979. Its best year was 1915 when it reached the rank of 343.

Gaston: Yes, as in the villain from Beauty and the Beast! This name is less common today.

Gilbert: Meaning "pledge" and "promise," Gilbert is a classic boy name.

Guy: Guy was very popular in the early 1900s. It ranked 99 in 1900 and stayed in the top 200 until 1968. It decreased in popularity over the last 40 years and fell off the top 1,000 list in 2005 and then again in 2007 and has not reappeared.

Hugo: A vintage name that's been in the top 1,000 for well over a century.

Jacques: Jacques had its most popular year in the U.S. in 1969 when it reached number 602. It is traditionally a more popular name in France.

Jean: A classic boy name that's less popular in the U.S. but very common in France.

Jules: Meaning "forever young," Jules has been a top 10 boy name in France since 2008.

Louis: Louis is a centuries-old name that has withstood the test of time. It is currently a favorite in France where it has been a top 10 name since 2006.

Luc: This name means "the light," and is popular in France.

Marc: Meaning "warlike," Marc has been popular in the U.S. since the 1930s, but has been steadily declining in recent decades.

Marcel: Marcel has been a top 1,000 name for over 100 years. Its most popular year in the United States was 1925 when it hit number 500.

Martin: A traditional moniker that is a top 100 name in France.

Maurice: Maurice is a name that goes back centuries. In the last 120 years, it was most popular in 1914 with a rank of 94. It is still on the top 1,000 list, but it has lost some steam in the last 20 years.

Nicolas: Another name that's been around for centuries, Nicolas means "a victory of the people."

Noel: Noel has been a top 500 name for boys for most of the last century in the U.S.

Orville: This name is not very common today, and peaked in 1913.

Pascal: An uncommon name in the U.S., Pascal is more ubiquitous in France and other parts of Europe.

Paul: Paul is a classic name that dates back thousands of years. It was number 19 in 1900 and a top 20 name in the U.S. until 1969. Paul is a top 100 name in France.

Percival: Percival is an old name, but very unique in the U.S.

Philippe: More common in France, Philippe has not showed up on the top 1,000 boy names in the U.S. in over a century.

Pierre: In France, Pierre is a very common name; however, in the U.S. it peaked in 1986.

Quentin: Quentin is a well-established name. It has been a top 1,000 name many times in the past 100 years. It was most popular in 1919 with a rank of 220. It ranked 540 in 2020.

Raphael: Dating back thousands of years, Raphael is considered an ancient name—and it is currently trending in France.

René: This is a traditional boy name in France, and has been in the top 1,000 in the U.S. for over a century as well.

Richard: Richard is an ever-popular, long-lived name. It has been a top 200 name in the U.S. for well beyond 100 years.

Roy: Roy is a traditional name, though it has slowly decreased in popularity over time.

Russell: Another well-established name, Russell was in the top 100 names until 1983.

Sacha: Sacha is not a common name in the United States and is not part of the top 1,000 list for the last 120 years. However, Sacha is very popular in France where it was in the top 20 in 2017.

Samuel: A time-honored name that's been in the top 100 in the U.S. for well over a century.

Sébastien: Sébastien is unique in the United States and not on the top 1,000 list for the last 120 years. However, the alternate spelling, Sebastian, is currently very trendy. The name Sébastien is more common in France.

Simon: Simon is a very old name. In France, Simon is a top 100 name.

Sinclair: An uncommon name that's not currently in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Théo: This name is currently popular in both the U.S. and France.

Thomas: Thomas is a classic name. It has been a top 100 name in the U.S. for a very long time. It was number 8 in popularity 17 times in the last 100 years. It is also a top 100 name in France.

Travis: A classic name that's been popular in the U.S. for years.

Tristan: This name's best year in the U.S. was in 1996, when it reached number 68 on the list.

Valentin: Meaning healthy and valiant, this name is much more popular in France.

Victor: Victor is a long-standing name that has been in the top 200 in the United States for a very long time. Victor is also prominent in France where it is a top 100 name.