Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Delicious Brie cheese, the magnificent Eiffel Tower, and the sophisticated Chanel fashion house, France is indeed the country of cultural richness. And just like French history, even the French baby names are a fusion of honor, strength, and elegance. The names have an element of European romance, while being relatively uncommon outside the French-speaking nations.
In polite usage, a French person’s name is preceded by Monsieur for male, Madame for females, Mademoiselle for unmarried females, Mondamoiseau for young gentleman, and Maître for both men and women. French people have one or two given names, of which one is used in daily life, and the other is used in official documents. Traditionally, a French baby is given names taken from the Roman Catholic calendar of saints. In regions like Corsica and Brittany, local names are used. And the immigrants are free to use names that represent their culture or religion.
French baby names have a timeless charm and they often express the beauty of the country’s art, literature, and landscapes. These names are also inspired by the names of historical figures. Names like Alicia evokes a sense of nobility and pristine nature. The name Oliver, which often signifies the olive tree, represents the ethereal and sublime landscapes of the country. Oliver has been among the top ten baby names in the US in the year 2022 (1). French baby names are known for their melodious sounds. For example, names like Ellinor and Jacqui have an appealing rhythm and roll off the tongue.
With so many gorgeous French names, it could get tough to find the perfect name for your son or daughter. But this post has it covered for you. Below is our collection of French boy names and French girl names along with their meanings. Why wait? Pick the one which you think will suit your daughter or son best.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Guarin |  |  Boy | The defender; The protector |
| Guatimozin | | Boy | Falling eagle; Descending eagle |
| Gudval | | Boy | One who can organize anything |
| Gui | | Boy | Protection |
| Guiliaine | |  Girl | Pleasant |
| Guillaume | | Boy | A fearless defender who can do anything to protect his beloved |
| Guillelmus | | Boy | A fearless defender who can do anything to protect his beloved |
| Guillem | | Boy | A fearless defender who can do anything to protect his beloved |
| Guinivere | | Girl | Fair and white |
| Gustav | | Boy | Staff of the Geats |
| Gustave | | Boy | The royal staff; The servants of the king |
| Gustavo | | Boy | Staff of the Gods |
| Gustavus | | Boy | Royal staff or the servants of king |
| Gustaw | | Boy | The royal staff; The servants of the king |
| Gusztav | | Boy | The royal staff; The servants of the king |
| Guthlac | | Boy | Name of an ancient saint of Christianity |
| Guzman | | Boy | The man of god |
| Hadrien | | Girl | Dark; Mysterious |
| Haiti | |  Unisex | Caribbean nation, freedom, resilience |
| Hanna | | Girl | Favor; Grace; God is gracious |
| Harbin | | Boy | Celebrated soldier; Glorious warrior |
| Harcourt | | Boy | From the fortified farm; One of the king's party |
| Harland | | Boy | Meadow of the hares |
| Harlequin | | Boy | Mute Pantomime Clown |
| Harriett | | Girl | House owner; Lord of the manor; One who rules her household; One who rules the home; A variant spelling of Harriett |
| Harvey | | Boy | Strong in battle |
| Haye | | Boy | hedge |
| Hejsa | | Girl | A Danish surname |
| Helain | | Girl | Shining light; Glowing; Bright |
| Helenor | | Girl | Illumination; Light |
| Helo | | Girl | Sun |
| Heloise | | Girl | Famous warrior |
| Helysoune | | Girl | an Old French form of the Germanic name Alahsind |
| Hennie | | Girl | Keeper of the hearth |
| Henri | | Boy | Home ruler |
| Henrietta | | Girl | Ruler of an estate; Ruler of the home |
| Heresa | | Boy | Catch or take something; to harvest |
| Herlin | | Boy | strength and independence |
| Heromin | | Girl | Keeper of the fireplace |
| Hmidou | | Boy | A French male name |
| Holly | | Unisex | Shrub |
| Honore | | Unisex | Honor; Honorable |
| Hughette | | girl | bright in mind and spirit |
| Hugo | | Boy | Mind; Spirit |
| Hugues | | Boy | Heart; Mind; Spirit |
| Icie | | Unisex | Glacial; Ice-like |
| Idalie | | Girl | Behold the sun |
| Ila | | Girl | Earth; Speech |
| Inaya | | Girl | Concern; Care |
| Ines | | Girl | Pure |
| Iosefina | | Girl | Bulgarian form of Josephine; May Jehovah add |
| Iris | | Girl | Rainbow; Flower |
| Isabeau | | Girl | My God is abundance |
| Isabella | | Girl | God is my oath |
| Isabelle | | Girl | Devoted to God |
| Issy | | Unisex | God's promise; Devoted to God |
| Ivet | | Girl | Bulgarian form of Yvette, Archer |
| Ivon | | Unisex | Yew; Archer |
| Ivone | | Girl | Yew |
| Ivy | | Girl | Climber plant |
| Jacalyn | | Girl | She who is a supplanter |
| Jacelyn | | Girl | One who will be protected by god |
| Jacelynn | | Girl | Yahweh may protect her |
| Jacinth | | Boy | One who grows hyacinth flowers |
| Jacintha | | Girl | She who smells like a hyacinth flower |
| Jacinthe | | Girl | A woman who smells lovely like a hyacinth flower |
| Jackelyn | | Girl | She who believes god is her protector |
| Jackquelin | | Girl | May God protect her |
| Jaclin | | Girl | God may guard her |
| Jacque | | Boy | He might be under God's protection |
| Jacqueleen | | Girl | She may be guarded by God |
| Jacquelin | | Girl | God is protecting her |
| Jacqueline | | Girl | May God protect |
| Jacquelyn | | Girl | Supplanter |
| Jacquelyne | | Girl | God takes care and protects |
| Jacquelynn | | Girl | She who is cared and protected by god |
| Jacquetta | | Girl | A little one who God may protect |
| Jacquette | | Girl | A little girl who might be under God's protection |
| Jacqui | | Girl | A girl who is a supplanter |
| Jacquie | | Girl | A woman who supplants |
| Jacquilyn | | Girl | She who takes the place of another |
| Jacquline | | Girl | May God protect; Holder of the heel; Supplanter |
| Jacqulyn | | Girl | A young woman who takes the place of another |
| Jade | | Unisex | Precious stone |
| Jaklena | | Girl | To seize by the heel |
| Jaklyn | | Girl | She seize him by the hee |
| Janae | | Girl | God is gracious |
| Jane | | Girl | God is gracious |
| Janet | | Girl | God Is Gracious |
| Jannine | | Girl | God Is Gracious; French form of Jehanne; A variant name of Jean |
| Janvier | | Boy | One who is born in January |
| Jaquita | | Girl | A supplanter |
| Jarreau | | Unisex | Gifted singer or musician |
| Jaslyn | | Girl | Jasmin |
| Jasmin | | Girl | Jasmine flower |
| Jasmyn | | Girl | A name of the flower |
| Jean-baptiste | | Boy | John the Baptist |
| Jean-charles | | Boy | God is merciful; God is Gracious |
| Jean-luc | | Boy | Person comes from Lucania; God is full of mercy |
| Jean-pierre | | Boy | God is merciful; God is Gracious |
French baby names are sublime and sweet. From the classic to the modern, this compiled list has names for every parent. French names are rooted in the country’s culture and each name has a story to tell. Blending all the magical components of the country, these names will mesmerize anyone and leave a lasting impression. Each name in this list holds special significance with regard to its roots and meanings. So select a name that catches your fancy and suits your tiny tot well.
Infographic: Elegant French Baby Names With Meanings
French baby names evoke a sense of elegance with their deep-rooted history. These names are often inspired by the country’s traditions, cultures, people, art, and philosophy. These names have significant meanings and intriguing roots. If you are fond of names with depth and grace, then check this infographic, where we have presented some of the most charming French names for babies.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name "Gabriel" in French?
Gabriel is derived from the Hebrew name Gavriel, meaning God is my strong man. It is the name of an archangel in Hebrew tradition.
2. What are some French baby names starting with the letter M?
Some beautiful French names that begin with M are Madeleine (French version of Magdalene, meaning of Magdala), Magali (Occitan version of Magdalene), Marc (French version of the Latin Marcus, meaning Mars or male), Marie (derived from Mary meaning beloved), and Martin (derived from the Roman Martinus related to Mars meaning male).
3. What are some French baby names that are easy to pronounce?
Baby names like Emma (meaning whole or great), Lucas (a habitational name meaning from Lucania), Chloe (an epithet of the Greek goddess Demeter meaning green shoot), Nathan (derived from the Hebrew name Natan meaning he gave), and Henri (derived from the Germanic name Heimrich meaning home ruler) are easy to pronounce. They consist of only two syllables and most of them are easy to spell as well.
4. What are some French baby names with a historical significance?
French baby names like Louis (inspired after several kings of France), Napoleon (after Napoleon Bonaparte), Jeanne (inspired by Joan of Arc), Marie (inspired by Marie Antoinette), and Charles (named after several kings of France) are of historical significance.
5. What are some gender-neutral French baby names?
Certain French baby names like Remy (meaning oarsman), Camille (meaning religious helper), Sasha (diminutive of Aleksandr or Aleksandra meaning defending men), Alix (derived from a Germanic name meaning noble or nobility), and Marie (derived ultimately from Mary meaning beloved) are unisex names.
6. What are some French baby names suitable for twins?
Twin names like Gabriel-Samuel (God is my strong man-name of God), Léa-Emma (weary-great), Alice-Louise (nobility-famous in battle), and Hugo-Louis (spirit-famous in battle) are good choices. These names complement each other not only phonetically but also in terms of their meaning.
7. What are some French baby names popular among non-French speakers?
Several names like Aaron (exalted), Arthur (bear), Bernadette (firm and bear), Christine (to anoint), Félix (lucky, successful), and Marie (beloved) are popular among non-French speakers. These languages include English, Spanish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Dutch, and German.
8. What are some French baby names with a romantic or poetic feel?
French baby names like Amour (love), Aimée (beloved), Esmé (esteemed, loved), Philidore (gift of love), and Lestan (love stone) have romantic and poetic meanings.
References
- Top 10 baby names of 2022.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
