500+ Best French Names for Girls with Meanings: Top List

Let’s be honest: naming a human being is terrifying.

I remember staring at my wife in the hospital room, holding a tiny, squirming bundle that we were legally responsible for, and realizing we still hadn’t agreed on what to call her. It’s a heavy weight. You aren’t just picking a label for a baby; you’re picking a resume header, a wedding invitation, a whisper in a quiet room. You want magic. You want history.

That’s exactly why you’re here looking for the Best French Names for Girls.

France gets it. There is something about the French language that turns a simple collection of letters into a song. It’s the vowels. It’s the softness. It’s the way “Anaïs” sounds like a breeze while “Gertrude” (no offense to the Gertrudes) sounds like a tractor. As a dad who has navigated these choppy waters and spent way too much time reading French birth registries, I’m going to walk you through the absolute gold standard of naming.

We are going to dig deep. We aren’t just skimming the surface; we are looking for the soul of these names.

Also Read: Best Dog Names and Best One Syllable Girl Names with Meanings

Key Takeaways

• It’s Not Just About Sound: French names often carry heavy historical or religious weight—know the backstory before you commit.
• The “Grandma” Trend is Real: In Paris, the coolest kids have names that belonged to their great-grandmothers (think Marceline and Colette).
• Watch the Pronunciation: A name that sounds like poetry in Lyon might get butchered in Ohio. Test it out on your neighbors first.
• Short is In: The days of four-part hyphenated names are fading; modern French parents are obsessed with short, punchy 3-4 letter names.
• Gender Neutrality: Names like Camille and Lou are increasingly popular for both boys and girls.

Why is everyone so obsessed with French names?

I’ve thought about this a lot. A few years ago, I was sitting in a café in Bordeaux—cliché, I know, but stick with me. I was watching a dad chase his daughter around a fountain. He caught her, swung her up, and laughed, “Allez, Manon!”

Manon.

It just hit different. It wasn’t fussy. It wasn’t trying too hard. It was effortlessly cool. That is the secret sauce. French names manage to be elegant without being snobbish. They have a built-in sophistication that seems to elevate the person wearing them. Plus, let’s face it: telling people your daughter’s name is of French origin makes you look a little more cultured at dinner parties.

But there’s also the history. France has strict naming laws that only relaxed in 1993. Before then, you basically had to pick from a list of acceptable names. This means the surviving names have been stress-tested for centuries. They are survivors.

What are the heavy hitters (The Classics)?

If you want a name that will never, ever sound dated, you look at the classics. These are the “little black dress” of names. They work in the boardroom, they work on the playground, and they work when she’s 85 years old.

• Charlotte: Meaning “free man.” It’s royal, it’s sturdy, and thanks to a certain young princess, it’s everywhere. But don’t let the popularity scare you; it’s popular for a reason.
• Juliette: “Youthful.” A personal favorite. It takes the somewhat plain “Julie” and adds that frilly, romantic suffix.
• Claire: “Bright/Clear.” It cuts through the noise. One syllable. Bam. Done.
• Sophie: “Wisdom.” The Greek root is strong here. It’s softer than Sophia and feels a bit more understated.
• Alice: “Noble type.” This name has staged a massive comeback. It feels like a storybook name because, well, it is one.
• Josephine: “Jehovah increases.” If you want nickname potential (Jo, Josie, Fifi, Posy), this is your winner.
• Isabelle: “Pledged to God.” It flows off the tongue like water.
• Catherine: “Pure.” It commands respect. You don’t mess with a Catherine.
• Camille: “Young ceremonial attendant.” In France, this is gender-neutral, but it leans female in the US.
• Madeleine: “Woman from Magdala.” Yes, the cookies. But also a gorgeous, melodic name.

Can we keep it short and snappy?

Here is where the cool parents are hanging out. If you look at the birth announcements in Paris right now, you won’t see many long, flowing names. You see short, sharp, vowel-heavy names. They pack a punch.

I love this style. It shows confidence. It says, “I don’t need five syllables to get your attention.”

• Léa: “Weary.” Ignore the meaning; focus on the sound. It’s been a top name in France for decades.
• Lou: “Renowned warrior.” It’s incredibly hip. It’s spiky and fun.
• Zoé: “Life.” It has a little electric buzz to it.
• Mila: “Gracious.” It’s sweeping the globe, but it feels right at home in French.
• Jade: “Stone of the side.” Believe it or not, this rock-inspired name is consistently the number one or two name in France.
• Inès: “Pure.” It brings that Spanish flair but fits perfectly into the French aesthetic.
• Eva: “Life.” Simple, biblical, undeniable.
• Lina: “Tender.” Soft and sweet.
• Nina: “Little girl.” It’s approachable and friendly.
• Théa: “Goddess.” It drops the “Doro” from Dorothea and leaves the best part.

Are you looking for that vintage ‘Amélie’ vibe?

My wife loves this category. We call it the “chic grandmother” style. Imagine a woman riding a bicycle with a baguette in the basket—that’s the vibe. These names were considered dusty twenty years ago, but they are roaring back.

• Amélie: “Hardworking.” It’s whimsical and light.
• Geneviève: “Woman of the race.” It sounds regal.
• Colette: “People of victory.” It’s snappy and literary.
• Mathilde: “Mighty in battle.” Don’t let the flowery sound fool you; this is a warrior’s name.
• Simone: “Heard.” It has intellectual weight (thanks, de Beauvoir).
• Odette: “Wealthy.” It’s pure Swan Lake drama.
• Louise: “Renowned warrior.” It’s the vintage counterpart to Lou.
• Lucie: “Light.” The French spelling makes it look so much chicer than “Lucy.”
• Elise: “Pledged to God.” A shorter, punchier version of Elizabeth.
• Margot: “Pearl.” Keep the ‘t’ silent. It’s sassy.

Does nature offer the best inspiration?

French culture is deeply tied to the land. The food, the wine, the geography—it all matters. So it makes sense that some of the Best French Names for Girls come straight from the earth. But they don’t sound like hippie names. They sound polished.

• Fleur: “Flower.” It doesn’t get more literal, or more beautiful.
• Océane: “Ocean.” This was huge in the 90s and is settling into a modern classic.
• Céleste: “Heavenly.” It draws your eyes up to the sky.
• Rose: “Rose.” It’s back in fashion in a big way.
• Iris: “Rainbow.” It’s actually a flower name, but the meaning is colorful.
• Luna: “Moon.” While Latin, it dominates French charts.
• Clementine: “Merciful.” It’s sunny and bright (like the fruit).
• Violette: “Purple flower.” The extra ‘te’ adds a delicate touch.
• Cerise: “Cherry.” It’s bold, red, and vibrant.
• Capucine: “Nasturtium.” This is very French. You rarely hear it outside France, which makes it a cool pick.

What if I live in the US/UK? (The Crossovers)

This is a practical question. I have a buddy named Guillaume. Great guy. But watching Americans try to pronounce his name is painful. It usually comes out as “Gill-i-am.”

If you want the French flair but don’t want your daughter to correct people for the rest of her life, stick to the crossovers. These travel well.

• Nicole: “People of victory.”
• Danielle: “God is my judge.”
• Michelle: “Who is like God?”
• Gabrielle: “God is my strength.”
• Noelle: “Christmas.”
• Vivienne: “Life.” (The Jolie-Pitt effect made this huge).
• Adrienne: “From Adria.”
• Natalie: “Born on Christmas.”
• Valerie: “Strength.”
• Stephanie: “Crown.”

Ready for the Deep Dive? (The Massive List A-L)

Alright, you want options? I’ll give you options. Maybe the perfect name is hiding in the details. We’re going to run through a massive list here. Scan them. Say them out loud. See what sticks.

• Adèle: “Noble.” (Hello, singer).
• Agathe: “Good.”
• Agnès: “Holy.”
• Aimée: “Beloved.”
• Alizée: “Trade wind.”
• Anaïs: “Grace.”
• Anouk: “Grace.” (A distinctive Dutch/French favorite).
• Antoinette: “Priceless.”
• Apolline: “Of Apollo.” (Very chic in Paris right now).
• Ariane: “Most holy.”
• Armelle: “Bear prince.”
• Astrid: “Divine strength.”
• Audrey: “Noble strength.”
• Aurélie: “Golden.”
• Aurore: “Dawn.” (Sleeping Beauty’s actual name).
• Avril: “April.”
• Axelle: “Father of peace.”
• Bérénice: “Victory bringer.”
• Bernadette: “Brave as a bear.”
• Berthe: “Bright.”
• Brigitte: “Strength.” (The Bardot factor).
• Candide: “White.”
• Carine: “Pure.”
• Cécile: “Blind.” (Don’t let the meaning deter you; it refers to spiritual sight).
• Célia: “Heavenly.”
• Chantal: “Stone.”
• Charlène: “Free man.”
• Christelle: “Follower of Christ.”
• Clarisse: “Bright.”
• Claudette: “Lame.” (Again, ancient meanings are weird; the sound is lovely).
• Clotilde: “Famous in battle.”
• Constance: “Steadfast.”
• Coralie: “Coral.”
• Corinne: “Maiden.”
• Cosette: “Little thing.” (Les Mis vibes).
• Daphné: “Laurel.”
• Delphine: “Dolphin/Woman from Delphi.”
• Denise: “Devoted to Dionysus.”
• Dominique: “Of the Lord.”
• Doriane: “Gift.”
• Edith: “Riches.” (Piaf!).
• Eléonore: “Light.”
• Elodie: “Foreign riches.” (Melodic and beautiful).
• Eloïse: “Healthy.”
• Emeline: “Work.”
• Emmanuelle: “God is with us.”
• Esmée: “Loved.”
• Estelle: “Star.”
• Eugénie: “Well born.”
• Eulalie: “Sweetly speaking.”
• Fabienne: “Bean grower.”
• Fanny: “Free.”
• Fantine: “Child.”
• Faustine: “Lucky.”
• Félicité: “Happiness.”
• Flavie: “Golden.”
• Florence: “Blossoming.”
• France: “Free.”
• Françoise: “Frenchwoman.”
• Gaëlle: “Stranger.”
• Garance: “Madder flower.” (Very red, very cool).
• Gisèle: “Pledge.”
• Hélène: “Bright light.”
• Héloïse: “Healthy.”
• Henriette: “Home ruler.”
• Hermine: “Soldier.”
• Honorine: “Honor.”
• Hortense: “Gardener.”
• Inès: “Pure.”
• Irène: “Peace.”
• Isabeau: “Pledged to God.” (A medieval twist on Isabelle).
• Isaure: “From Isauria.”
• Jeanne: “God is gracious.” (The Joan of Arc connection).
• Joëlle: “Jehovah is God.”
• Jolie: “Pretty.” (Americans use this more than the French).
• Josette: “God increases.”
• Judith: “Woman of Judea.”
• Justine: “Fair.”
• Karine: “Pure.”
• Laetitia: “Joy.”
• Laure: “Laurel.”
• Lauriane: “Laurel.”
• Léonie: “Lioness.” (Fierce!).
• Liane: “Vine.”
• Lilas: “Lilac.”
• Lise: “Pledged to God.”
• Loane: “Light.”
• Luce: “Light.”
• Lucille: “Light.”
• Ludivine: “Divine friend.”
• Lydie: “From Lydia.”

Continuing the Search (M-Z)

Still haven’t found “The One”? Don’t panic. The second half of the alphabet has some heavy hitters, especially the “M” names, which are perennial favorites in France.

• Maëlle: “Chief/Princess.” (Breton origin).
• Magalie: “Pearl.”
• Mahaut: “Mighty.”
• Maïa: “Mother.”
• Mallory: “Unlucky.” (Use with caution, though it sounds great).
• Manette: “Bitter/Beloved.”
• Marceline: “Young warrior.”
• Marcelle: “Warlike.”
• Margaux: “Pearl.” (The wine region spelling).
• Marguerite: “Daisy.”
• Marianne: “Star of the sea.” (The symbol of the French Republic).
• Marie: “Star of the sea.”
• Marilou: “Bitter warrior.”
• Marine: “Of the sea.”
• Marion: “Bitter/Beloved.”
• Marlène: “Star of the sea.”
• Marthe: “Lady.”
• Martine: “Warlike.”
• Maurelle: “Dark.”
• Maxine: “Greatest.”
• Mélanie: “Dark.”
• Mélina: “Honey.”
• Mélissa: “Honey bee.”
• Mélodie: “Song.”
• Micheline: “Who is like God?”
• Mireille: “To admire.”
• Monique: “Advisor.”
• Morgane: “Sea circle.”
• Muriel: “Bright sea.”
• Mylène: “Merciful.”
• Nadège: “Hope.”
• Nadine: “Hope.”
• Nathalie: “Born on Christmas.”
• Nicolette: “People of victory.”
• Ninon: “Grace.”
• Noémie: “Pleasant.”
• Nolwenn: “Holy one.” (Breton).
• Odile: “Prospers in battle.”
• Olivia: “Olive tree.”
• Olympe: “Olympus.”
• Oriane: “Sunrise.”
• Orla: “Golden princess.”
• Pascale: “Easter.”
• Patricia: “Noble.”
• Paule: “Small.”
• Pauline: “Small.”
• Pénélope: “Weaver.”
• Perrine: “Rock.”
• Philippine: “Lover of horses.”
• Philomène: “Loved.”
• Pierrette: “Rock.”
• Prisca: “Ancient.”
• Rachel: “Ewe.”
• Raphaëlle: “God heals.”
• Raymonde: “Protector.”
• Rebecca: “To bind.”
• Régine: “Queen.”
• Reine: “Queen.”
• Renée: “Reborn.”
• Rochelle: “Little rock.”
• Rolande: “Famous land.”
• Romane: “Roman.”
• Rosalie: “Rose.”
• Roseline: “Gentle horse.”
• Roxanne: “Dawn.”
• Sabine: “Sabine woman.”
• Salomé: “Peace.”
• Sandrine: “Defender.”
• Ségolène: “Sweet victory.”
• Séraphine: “Burning ones.”
• Séverine: “Stern.”
• Sibylle: “Prophetess.”
• Sidonie: “From Sidon.”
• Sixtine: “Sixth.”
• Solange: “Solemn.”
• Solène: “Solemn.”
• Soraya: “Jewel.”
• Suzanne: “Lily.”
• Suzette: “Lily.”
• Sylviane: “Forest.”
• Sylvie: “Forest.”
• Tatiana: “Fairy queen.”
• Thaïs: “Bandage.”
• Thérèse: “Harvester.”
• Tiphaine: “Epiphany.”
• Valentine: “Strong.”
• Véronique: “True image.”
• Victoire: “Victory.”
• Vienne: “Vienna.”
• Virginie: “Maiden.”
• Viviane: “Alive.”
• Xavière: “New house.”
• Yolande: “Violet.”
• Yseult: “Ice battle.”
• Yvette: “Yew tree.”
• Yvonne: “Yew tree.”
• Zélie: “Solemn.”
• Zenaïde: “Life of Zeus.”

Should you consider a double-barrel name?

Okay, real talk. Double names (Les prénoms composés) can be polarizing. Some people think they are pretentious. I think they are undeniably classy if you pick the right combination. They used to be mandatory in some Catholic circles to ensure a Saint’s name was included, but now they are a stylistic flex.

• Marie-Claire
• Anne-Sophie
• Marie-Amélie
• Lily-Rose (This is the modern, trendy version).
• Lou-Anne
• Sarah-Lou
• Marie-Eve
• Jean-Marie (Traditional, but feels a bit older).
• Pierre-Anne

What about the laws? (A quick history lesson)

You might not know this, but France used to be incredibly strict about names. Until 1993, parents had to choose from a government-approved list. If you wanted to name your kid “Nutella” or “Prince,” the registrar would literally say no.

Why does this matter to you?

It means the pool of “traditional” French names is very defined. It creates a shared cultural language. When you pick a French name, you are tapping into a curated list that has been vetted by the state for centuries. It’s quality control at a national level. For more on the fascinating demographics and how these trends shift, the INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies) provides incredible data on name frequency over time.

Conclusion

We’ve covered a lot of ground. We’ve looked at the royals, the flowers, the warriors, and the saints.

Here is my advice: Stop worrying about the “perfect” name. It doesn’t exist. The name becomes perfect when your child inhabits it. “Charlotte” is just a word until you see your daughter Charlotte smiling at you.

Go with your gut. If you keep coming back to Élodie, there’s a reason. If Manon makes you smile every time you say it, that’s the one. Trust the French flair for beauty, but trust your own instinct as a parent more.

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Šinko Jurica

With a passion for community and storytelling, Šinko Jurica creates content that resonates deeply with readers. From faith and family to hobbies and humor, he covers the moments that define us, offering practical advice and encouragement for every season of life.

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