Choosing a baby name is one of the most exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, parts of parenthood. If you’re drawn to French names, you’re in luck! French baby names are timeless, elegant, and full of rich history.
Whether you want something classic, modern, or unique, there’s a beautiful French name waiting for your little one.
In this post, we’ve compiled 110 popular and common French baby names, along with their meanings and origins. To make your search easier, we’ve categorized them into:
- Classic & Timeless French Names
- Modern & Trendy French Names
- Nature-Inspired French Names
- Strong & Noble French Names
- Sweet & Romantic French Names
Let’s dive in!
Classic & Timeless French Names
These names have stood the test of time, carrying elegance and tradition through generations.
Girls’ Names
- Adèle – Means “noble” or “kind.”
- Amélie – A variation of Amelia, meaning “hardworking.”
- Annette – A sweet diminutive of Anne, meaning “grace.”
- Camille – Unisex name meaning “young ceremonial attendant.”
- Cécile – Derived from Latin, meaning “blind” (but associated with Saint Cecilia).
- Charlotte – A royal name meaning “free woman.”
- Claire – Simple and bright, meaning “clear” or “bright.”
- Colette – Means “victory of the people.”
- Élodie – A melodic name meaning “foreign riches.”
- Gabrielle – Feminine form of Gabriel, meaning “God is my strength.”
Boys’ Names
- Antoine – French form of Anthony, meaning “priceless.”
- Bastien – Short for Sébastien, meaning “venerable.”
- Charles – A regal name meaning “free man.”
- Dominique – Unisex name meaning “belonging to the Lord.”
- Étienne – French for Stephen, meaning “crown” or “garland.”
- François – Means “Frenchman” or “free man.”
- Grégoire – French form of Gregory, meaning “watchful.”
- Henri – The French version of Henry, meaning “ruler of the home.”
- Jean – The classic French form of John, meaning “God is gracious.”
- Louis – A royal name meaning “famous warrior.”
Modern & Trendy French Names
These names are fresh, stylish, and gaining popularity among new parents.
Girls’ Names
- Aya – A short and sweet name meaning “bird” or “miracle.”
- Chloé – Means “young green shoot,” symbolizing freshness.
- Elisa – A stylish twist on Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God.”
- Inès – The French version of Agnes, meaning “pure.”
- Léa – Simple and chic, meaning “weary” (but popularized by its biblical roots).
- Louna – A modern name possibly derived from “lune” (moon).
- Maëlys – A melodic name combining Marie and Alys, meaning “chief” or “princess.”
- Nina – A short, sweet name meaning “little girl” or “dreamer.”
- Romane – Feminine form of Roman, meaning “from Rome.”
- Zoé – Means “life” in Greek, popular in French-speaking countries.
Boys’ Names
- Axel – Scandinavian roots but widely used in France, meaning “father of peace.”
- Enzo – A lively name meaning “home ruler.”
- Ethan – Though Hebrew in origin, it’s trendy in France, meaning “strong.”
- Hugo – Means “mind,” “intellect,” or “spirit.”
- Jules – A cool, short form of Julius, meaning “youthful.”
- Kylian – A modern favorite, possibly meaning “warrior.”
- Léo – Short for Léon, meaning “lion.”
- Mathis – A stylish variation of Matthew, meaning “gift of God.”
- Noé – The French form of Noah, meaning “rest” or “comfort.”
- Théo – Short for Théodore, meaning “gift of God.”
Nature-Inspired French Names
For parents who love the beauty of the natural world, these names bring the outdoors to life.
Girls’ Names
- Aurore – Means “dawn,” evoking the first light of day.
- Clémence – Derived from “clement,” meaning “merciful” or “gentle.”
- Fleur – Simply means “flower.”
- Jade – A precious green stone, symbolizing harmony.
- Marine – Refers to the sea, perfect for ocean lovers.
- Rosalie – A floral name meaning “rose.”
- Sylvie – Means “from the forest.”
- Violette – The French form of Violet, a delicate flower name.
- Yseult – A medieval name possibly meaning “ice ruler” or linked to nature.
- Zélie – Derived from “Azélie,” meaning “sunshine.”
Boys’ Names
- Aubin – Means “white,” “bright,” or “fair.”
- Cyprien – From the Latin “Cyprianus,” meaning “from Cyprus” (a place of natural beauty).
- Florent – Means “blossoming” or “flourishing.”
- Lucien – Derived from “light,” symbolizing brightness.
- Océan – A bold name meaning “ocean.”
- René – Means “reborn,” like spring’s renewal.
- Romain – Means “from Rome,” but also associated with open fields.
- Sylvain – Means “of the forest.”
- Thibault – Means “brave people,” with ties to nature.
- Virgile – A name linked to nature through the poet Virgil.
Strong & Noble French Names
These names carry a sense of power, history, and dignity.
Girls’ Names
- Brigitte – Means “strength” or “exalted one.”
- Éléonore – A regal name meaning “light” or “compassion.”
- Geneviève – Patron saint of Paris, meaning “woman of the race.”
- Jeanne – The French Joan of Arc’s name, meaning “God is gracious.”
- Margaux – A variant of Margaret, meaning “pearl.”
- Mathilde – Means “mighty in battle.”
- Philippine – Feminine form of Philip, meaning “lover of horses.”
- Rébecca – A biblical name meaning “to bind.”
- Simone – Feminine form of Simon, meaning “hearkening.”
- Victoire – Means “victory.”
Boys’ Names
- Alain – Means “little rock” or “handsome.”
- Armand – Means “soldier” or “army man.”
- Damien – Means “to tame,” with a strong presence.
- Gaspard – Means “treasurer,” with royal connotations.
- Laurent – Means “from Laurentum,” symbolizing honor.
- Maxime – Means “greatest.”
- Raphaël – Means “God has healed,” with angelic strength.
- Rémy – Means “oarsman,” symbolizing perseverance.
- Roland – A legendary name meaning “famous land.”
- Valentin – Means “strong” or “healthy.”
Sweet & Romantic French Names
For those who love lyrical, poetic names that sound like love songs.
Girls’ Names
- Amandine – A delicate name meaning “worthy of love.”
- Anouk – A charming name possibly meaning “grace.”
- Belle – Simply means “beautiful.”
- Céleste – Means “heavenly.”
- Élise – A musical name meaning “pledged to God.”
- Esme – Means “esteemed” or “loved.”
- Juliette – The romantic French form of Juliet.
- Léonie – Means “lioness,” strong yet graceful.
- Manon – A sweet diminutive of Marie.
- Ophélie – The French Ophelia, meaning “help.”
Boys’ Names
- Aimé – Means “beloved.”
- Ambroise – Means “immortal.”
- Cédric – Means “bounty” or “kindly.”
- Émile – Means “rival,” but with a gentle charm.
- Félix – Means “happy” or “fortunate.”
- Jérémie – The French Jeremiah, meaning “exalted by God.”
- Lucian – Means “light,” evoking warmth.
- Olivier – The French Oliver, meaning “olive tree.”
- Quentin – Means “fifth,” with a soft, refined sound.
- Sébastien – A melodic name meaning “venerable.”
Bonus: Unisex French Names
- Alex – Short for Alexandre/Alexandra, meaning “defender of mankind.”
- Charlie – A friendly, gender-neutral name.
- Claude – Means “lame” historically but used for both genders.
- Dominique – “Belonging to the Lord.”
- Lou – Short for Louise or Louis, meaning “famous warrior.”
- Noël – Means “Christmas,” used for both boys and girls.
- Remy/Rémi – A stylish unisex option.
- Sacha – The French form of Sasha, meaning “defender of mankind.”
- Simone – Used for boys in some contexts.
- Yves – Traditionally male but sometimes used for girls.
Final Thoughts
French names are a beautiful blend of history, elegance, and meaning. Whether you prefer something classic like Charlotte or Louis, modern like Maëlys or Enzo, or nature-inspired like Fleur or Océan, there’s a perfect name waiting for your little one.
Did any of these names stand out to you? Let us know your favorites in the comments! And if you’re looking for more naming inspiration, check out our other baby name guides.
Bonne chance (good luck) on your naming journey!