150 popular French names for boys and girls – from Lucien to Margot we've got you covered

As baby names go these popular French names are oh-so-sweet, chic, and fast becoming a popular choice for many parents across the UK. 

Naming your child is a personal experience, whether you’re after something unique with some unusual baby names, going against the grain (spare a moment for the unpopular baby names), or getting ahead of the curve with cool baby names. 

“Some parents have French ancestry and therefore want to honour their heritage, but you don’t have to have a French grandmother to want a French name for your baby,” says Pamela Redmond, co-creator and CEO of Nameberry. 

She continues: “Some parents simply love France, the French language and culture, or French style and want to bring that love to their child’s name.”

Based on hot-off-the-press data from Statista, we source the most popular French names, as well as answer all your FAQs, like how do you pick a name for your baby, when should I start picking a baby name, and the top three things to bear in mind when choosing a baby name. 

Popular French names

What are the most popular French names for girls?

1. Alba Origin: Latin | Style: Elegant | Pronunciation: Al-bah
   Meaning: Although a gender-neutral name, Alba ranks as one of the most popular French baby names for girls. Its Latin origin means white, clear and bright. 
2. Alexandrine Origin: Greek and French | Style: Graceful | Pronunciation: Al-ix-on-dreen
   Meaning: Alexandrine is the French version of the name Alexandra, which is derived from the Greek name Alexandros, interpreted to mean protector of mankind. 
3. Alice Origin: German | Style: Famous | Pronunciation: Al-is
   Meaning: According to research by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the popularity of the name Alice was at an all-time low in 2001, but is now on the rise again. Alice is of German origin and means noble and was originally derived from the old French name Aalis. 
4. Alida Origin: Italian and Dutch | Style: Graceful | Pronunciation: Uh-Lay-Duh
   Meaning: Alida is typically a girl’s name and is often considered something different from Alda. The meaning of the former can vary but generally, it’s associated with being noble or acquiring old-fashioned charm. 
5. Ambre Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: Am-Bray
   Meaning: A French variation on the name Amber, Ambre is still a popular choice for parents. It literally means the colour amber (which is yellow and orange) but the literal translation is fossilised tree resin. 
6. Anna Origin: Hebrew | Style: Latin Old Testament | Pronunciation: An-Uh
   Meaning: Anna comes from the Hebrew name Hannah which means grace or favour. Anna was popular with the Ancient Romans and meant the year’s cycle around the ninth or 10th century.
7. Arielle Origin: Hebrew | Style: Joyful | Pronunciation: A-R-e-l
   Arielle has Hebrew origins and means lioness of God. It’s also associated with strength and bravery. 
8. Augustine Origin: Latin | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: Aw-gus-tin
   Meaning: The name Augustine is of Latin origin and means worthy of respect. It’s often associated with the Christian saint Augustine of Hippo, who was a prominent theologian and philosopher. 
9. Barbe Origin: French and German | Style: Authentic | Pronunciation: Barb
   Meaning: Barbe is the French form of Barbara, and its meaning is typically associated with stranger or foreigner, derived from the word barbarus in Latin.

10. Belle Origin: French | Style: Sophisticated | Pronunciation: Bel
    Meaning: A Disney princess namesake, Belle literally translates to beautiful. It’s super feminine and also means fair and charming.
11. Bijou Origin: French | Style: Delicate | Pronunciation: Bee-ju
    Meaning: The name Bijou is of French origin and means jewel or precious gem. It’s often used as a term of endearment or given as a name for someone cherished and treasured, much like your little one would be.
12. Camille Origin: French | Style: Royal | Pronunciation: Kam-ee
    Meaning: Camille is the French form of the name Camilla, and has a timeless and elegant quality. The name Camille is often associated with characteristics such as purity, beauty, and youth.
13. Cécile Origin: Latin | Style: Christian | Pronunciation: Ses-eel
    Meaning: Cecile is a French form of the name Cecilia, which is of Latin origin. Cecilia was a popular name among early Christians, and Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music.
14. Cerise Origin: French | Style: Fun | Pronunciation: Ser-ee-ss
    Meaning: The girl’s name Cerise means cherry in French and is often associated with the bright red colour of the fruit.
15. Charlotte Origin: French | Style: Royal | Pronunciation: Shar-lot
    Meaning: Fit for a princess, the name Charlotte is making a royal comeback. Charlotte is the feminine version of Charles and means free man or petite.
16. Claire Origin: French | Style: Delicate | Pronunciation: Cl-air
    Meaning: Claire means clear and bright, and is an English form of Clara. It’s often associated with qualities like clarity, purity and illumination. The name can also mean light, in reference to the French phrase clair de lune or, light of the moon.
17. Clarette Origin: French | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: Kl-air-et
    Meaning: As a variation of the name Claire, Clarette doesn’t have a specific meaning of its own but as it's derived from Clara, it’s associated with characteristics like clarity, brightness and grace.
18. Clementine Origin: French | Style: Popular | Pronunciation: Cl-om-on-teen
    Meaning: Super sweet and pleasant, this pretty girl’s name is of French Latin origin and means mild, gentle or merciful.
19. Claudette Origin: French | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: Claw-Det
    Meaning: Claudette is a feminine name popular in the Christian religion, and of French origin that means ‘lame’ or ‘enclosure.’ It is also known that Claudette is the female version of Claudius, a Roman surname derived from the Latin claudus.
20. Colette Origin: French | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: Koh-Let
    Meaning: Short form of Nicolette, which is a French female form of Nicholas which is from the Greek nik meaning "victory" and laos, meaning "people".
21. Danielle Origin: French | Style: Famous | Dan-yel
    Meaning: Danielle is the feminine form of the name Daniel, which also comes from Hebrew. It means God is my judge and is very common in English and French-speaking countries.
22. Delphine Origin: French | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: Del-feen
    Meaning: This classic and elegant girl’s name is derived from the word delphin which means dolphin in French. In some cultures, the dolphin is associated with playfulness, intelligence, and a gentle nature.
23. Denise Origin: French and Greek | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: Duh-nees
    Meaning: Denise comes from the French version of the Greek name Dionysios which is related to the Greek god Dionysus – the god of wine, fertility, and revelry – with some associating the name to celebration and joy.
24. Eden Origin: Hebrew | Style: Iconic | Pronunciation: Ee-den
    Meaning: From the Hebrew word eden, this name means paradise, tranquillity or delight.
25. Édelie Origin: French | Style: Christian | Pronunciation: Eed-lee
    Meaning:Édelie means having high principles and qualities, and girls named Édelie are usually Christian by religion.
26. Elise Origin: French | Style: Serene | Pronunciation: El-ees
    Meaning: The name Elise is a diminutive of the French name Elizabeth which became a standalone name in the 19th century. Elise is a girl's name that means "consecrated by God."

27. Elle Origin: French | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: El
    Meaning: Literally meaning she in French, Elle is often used as a feminine given name of French origin. It can also be a shortened form of names like Eleanor or Gabrielle.
28. Elodie Origin: French and Greek | Style: Precious | Pronunciation: El-oh-dee
    Meaning: French form of Elodia, which is a Spanish name that comes from the gothic elements ali, meaning other and od, which translates to riches.
29. Eloise Origin: French and English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: El-o-eez
    Meaning: When translated from German, Eloise means healthy or wide; it also means sun when translated from Greek. Eloise is commonly a girl’s name and can take many nicknames such as Elly, Lu or El.
30. Émilie Origin: French | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: Em-ee-lee
    Meaning: The name Émilie is a French variant of the name Emily. It’s typically a feminine given name and is of Latin origin, derived from the name Aemilia which means to strive.
31. Emma Origin: German | Style: Elegant | Pronunciation: Em-uh
    Meaning: Popular in the US, as well as France, the Germanic name Emma, means universal or whole. Famous faces with the same elegant moniker include Emma Stone, Emma Thompson and Emma Watson, all of whom are actresses.
32. Esme Origin: French | Style: Graceful | Pronunciation: Ez-may
    Meaning: Esme simply means esteemed or beloved. It may also be used as a short form of the Spanish name Esmeralda, referring to the deep green gemstone.
33. Félice Origin: French | Style: Popular | Pronunciation: Fel-ees
    Meaning: Felice is typically used for girls and a similar name is Felicity. Both mean happiness or good fortune, and they convey a sense of joy and positivity.
34. Francine Origin: French | Style: Timeless | Pronunciation: Fran-seen
    Meaning: Francine is derived from the Latin name Franciscus which means Frenchman or free man. The name can also be associated with freedom and liberty due to historical roots.
35. Gabrielle Origin: French | Style: Precious | Pronunciation: Gab-ree-ell
    Meaning: The name Gabrielle is the feminine counterpart of Gabriel, which has Hebrew origins. It’s derived from the Hebrew name that means God is my strength or God is my man. Gabrielle is a popular name in many languages, such as English and of course French.
36. Geneve Origin: French | Style: Graceful | Pronunciation: Jen-ev-veev
    Meaning: From the Old French, Geneve could mean tribe woman.
37. Gertrude Origin: German | Style: Unique | Pronunciation: Gur-trood
    Meaning: The name means spear of strength and originates from Germany. Gertrude can be associated with power and courage.
38. Hélène Origin: Greek | Style: Mythical | Pronunciation: El-ayn
    Meaning: Hélène is a French variant of the name Helen – it’s of Greek origin and means light or torch. The name Helen also has a mythological background, most commonly associated with Helen of Troy.
39. Henriette Origin: French | Style: Authentic | Pronunciation: On-ri-et
    Meaning: Henriette is the female form of Henry, from the Germanic heim, meaning home.
40. Jacqueline Origin: French | Style: Feminine | Pronunciation: Jac-uh-lin
    Meaning: This French girl’s name is the feminine form of Jacques, which is the French equivalent of James. The name Jacqueline is often interpreted as supplanter or one who follows.
41. Jade Origin: Spanish | Style: Beautiful | Pronunciation: Jayd
    Meaning: In its simplest form, Jade comes from the green precious gemstone that’s typically used in jewellery making. However, as it originates from Spain, Jade comes from the phrase piedra de la ijada which translates to “gem of the colic” leading to the belief that, when placed on babies’ stomachs, jade could cure colic.
42. Jolene Origin: French | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Jo-leen
    Meaning: Popular in the US, the meaning behind the name Jolene can vary. It’s a traditional French girl’s name meaning the Lord is God, and the ‘Lene’ is thought to have derived from other names such as Magdalene or Marlene.
43. Josephine Origin: French | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: Joh-sef-een
    Meaning: As a feminine form of Joseph, Josephine means god will increase, or more specifically, Jehovah increases. In French, there is an accent over the first E, but is often removed in English, Dutch and German variations.
44. Juliet Origin: Greek | Style: Roman | Pronunciation: Ju-lee-et
    Meaning: Juliet, derived from the Latin name “Julia,” was common among women in ancient Rome. In French, the name “Juliette” originated from the Old French name “Julie,” which is a variation of the Latin name “Julia,” meaning “youthful” or “downy.”
45. Léonie Origin: French | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: Lay-oh-nie
    Meaning: Leonie is a variation of the name Leon which is derived from the Greek name Leon meaning lion. The feminine version, therefore, can be interpreted to mean lioness or brave as a lioness.

46. Lilou Origin: Latin | Style: Delicate | Pronunciation: Lee-loo
    Meaning: Lili is originally from the Latin lilium, and is the name of a flower, a symbol of purity.
47. Louise Origin: French | Style: Pronunciation: Loo-eez
    Meaning: The feminine version of Louis, the name Louise can be both used for boys and girls. It means unrenowned warrior, and was the second most popular female baby name in 2021.
48. Lydie Origin: Russian | Style: Elegant | Pronunciation: Lid-ee
    Meaning: Lydie is a variant of the name Lydia which is of Greek origin and means woman from Lydia – an ancient region in western Asia Minor (now part of Turkey).
49. Maëlle Origin: French | Style: Unique | Pronunciation: Ma-El
    Meaning: Maëlle is often considered to be a variant of the name Mary or Marie. Maëlle is a feminine name and may be associated with meanings such as bitterness or sea of bitterness. It’s fairly uncommon nowadays but still has a lovely sound to it.
50. Marguerite Origin: French | Style: Timeless | Pronunciation: Mar-ger-eet
    Meaning: This girl’s name is the French form of the name Margaret and means pearl or daisy in reference to the precious gem or flower.
51. Marlène Origin: German | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: Marl-een
    Meaning: Often a combination of the names Mary and Magdalene, Marlene can take on two meanings: bitterness and elevated or tower.
52. Margot Origin: Greek | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: Mar-go
    Meaning: This feminine name comes from the French form of Margaret from the Greek margarites, meaning pearl. According to data from BabyCentre, the name Margo peaked in 2020, with 1679 babies per million having the moniker.
53. Mia Origin: Hebrew | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Mee-A
    Meaning: The name Mia has some interesting history surrounding it. Firstly originating from Maria, derived from the Hebrew name Miryam, Mia is thought to have come from the Egyptian word Mr, which means beloved.
54. Michelle Origin: French | Style: Sophisticated | Pronunciation: Mish-Ell
    Meaning: The name Michelle is a French feminine given name that’s similar to Michael for a boy. Michelle is often associated with qualities such as strength and independence and became popular in the English language in the mid-20th century.
55. Monique Origin: French | Style: Sophisticated | Pronunciation: Moh-Neek
    Meaning: The name Monique is of French origin and is a variant of the name Monica. It’s a feminine name that means advisor or counsellor.
56. Nicole Origin: Greek | Style: Pronunciation: Nik-Ohl
    Meaning: Nicole is a feminine name that’s popular in many countries and cultures, and means victory of the people.
57. Noelle Origin: French | Style: Religious | Pronunciation: No-el
    Meaning: Noelle has evolved to the feminine version of the name Noel, which means Christmas. It’s often given to girls born around – or on – Christmas Day and is associated with the joyous festivities.
58. Odette Origin: French and German | Style: Classical | Pronunciation: Oh-det
    Meaning: Derived from the Germanic name Oda, which means riches or wealth, combined with the French suffix ‘ette’ indicates the feminine form. Odette can mean prosperous and wealthy.
59. Pauline Origin: Latin | Style: Famous | Pronunciation: Paw-leen
    Meaning: Feminine version of Paul, from the Latin paulus, meaning "small" or "humble". Names that are similar to Pauline include Paulette and Paulina.
60. Pierrette Origin: French | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: P-air-et
    Meaning: Pierrette takes the diminutive form of the name Pierre, which is the French equivalent of Peter. Essentially, Pierrette means little Peter or small rock in reference to the name’s biblical origins.
61. Renée Origin: French | Style: Iconic | Pronunciation: Ren-nay
    Meaning: This classic name is a form of René, the feminine version of Renatus which comes from the Latin renascor, meaning born again.

62. Risette Origin: French | Style: Unusual | Pronunciation: Ris-et
    Meaning: Risette is often considered to be a variation of the name Risa, which doesn’t have a widely-known meaning on its own. Risa can mean laughter or smile in some cultures.
63. Rochelle Origin: French | Style: Gentle | Pronunciation: Roh-shell
    Meaning: Rochelle is derived from the Old French name Roche which literally means rock.
64. Romy Origin: Latin | Style: Pronunciation: Roh-mee
    Meaning: While it might be rare in countries like the US, Romy is still a firm favourite for parents in Europe. Used for both boys and girls, Romy means rosemary (as in the herb) and is also a female form of Roman.
65. Salomé Origin: Hebrew | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: Sal-Oh-May
    Meaning: Salomé has Hebrew origins and comes from the word Shalom meaning peace.
66. Seychelle Origin: French | Style: Unique | Pronunciation: Say-Shell
    Meaning: Seychelle is often associated with the Seychelles, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. Its meaning can vary but can be interpreted as a woman from the Seychelles.
67. Sophie Origin: Greek | Style: Famous | Pronunciation: Soh-fee
    Meaning: Sophie is a variant of the Greek name Sophia and means wisdom or knowledge.
68. Suzanne Origin: French | Style: Floral | Pronunciation: Soo-zan
    Meaning: Suzanne is of French origin and is a variant of the name Susan. It’s derived from the Hebrew name Shoshona, which means Lily or Rose. Suzanne is a classic and elegant name with floral connotations, symbolising beauty and grace.
69. Stéphane Origin: French | Style: Regal | Pronunciation: Stef-an
    Meaning: The name Stéphane is a French variation of Stephen which has origins of Greece, as well as French. It means crown or garland.
70. Sylvie Origin: Latin | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: Sil-vie
    Meaning: One of the more traditional and chic French names for a girl, Sylvie is derived from the Latin silva, meaning wood or forest.
71. Thérèse Origin: French | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Ter-Res
    Meaning: From the Greek word theros means late summer and many people associate the name with warmth and abundance.
72. Valerie Origin: French | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: Val-er-ee
    Meaning: Valerie means strong or valiant. It’s derived from the Latin name Valeria which also has similar meanings.
73. Véronique Origin: French | Style: Religious | Pronunciation: Ver-on-neek
    Meaning: This popular French girl’s name has historical and religious significance, as it’s often linked to Saint Veronica. Veronique is also associated with Latin word vera meaning true and icon, or image and likeness.
74. Vivienne Origin: French | Style: Elegant | Pronunciation: Viv-ee-en
    Meaning: Feminine form of Vivian or Vivien. From the Latin vivianus, which is derived from vivus, meaning alive.
75. Yvette Origin: French | Style: Charming | Pronunciation: E-vet
    Meaning: Yvette is the feminine form of Yves and is derived from the Germanic name Ivo, which means yew and archer.

What are the most popular French names for boys?

76. Aaron Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: Ah-run
    Meaning: Aaron means exalted or high mountain, and is a common name with biblical meaning, as Aaron was the older brother of Moses. 
77. Adam Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: Ad-um
    Meaning: From the Hebrew adama meaning "earth" and a generic term for "man".
78. Adrien Origin: Latin | Style: Iconic | Pronunciation: A-dri-un
    Meaning: Adrien – and Adrian – is often used for boys and common in many cultures around the world. It’s derived from the name Hadrianus meaning from Hadria, a town in Northern Italy. 
79. Amir Origin: Arabic | Style: Regal | Pronunciation: Am-ear
    Meaning: Reflecting qualities of leadership, Amir is commonly used in various Arabic-speaking countries and means prince or leader. 
80. Alexandre Origin: Greek | Style: Noble | Pronunciation: Al-ix-un-dre
    Meaning:  Alexandre is derived from the Greek name Alexandros which has two meanings: ‘alexein’ means to defend and ‘aner’ meaning man. 
81. Antoine Origin: French | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: An-Twan
    Meaning: A French variant of the name Anthony, Antoine is derived from the Latin name Antonius which is believed to also have Etruscan origins. Antoine typically means highly praiseworthy or invaluable. 
82. Arthur Origin: Celtic | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: Ar-Thur
    Meaning: Arthur means bear-like or courageous like a bear. It has a long history and is associated with legendary and historical figures, such as King Arthur and Arthurian legend. 
83. Augustin Origin: German and Latin | Style: Majestic | Pronunciation: Aw-gus-tin
    Meaning: Augustin is the variant of the name Augustus, meaning venerable or dignified. 
84. Axel Origin: Scandinavian | Style: Religious | Pronunciation: Ax-ul
    Meaning: Axel is often a variant of the name Aksel – it’s a combination of ‘as’ meaning god and ‘kell’ meaning kettle or cauldron. In some religious aspects, Axel could also mean god’s cauldron. 
85. Baptiste Origin: French | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: Bap-Teest
    Meaning: Baptiste is often associated with John the Baptist, a significant figure in Christianity known for baptising Jesus.
86. Benjamin Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: Ben-ja-min
    Meaning: The name Benjamin is of Hebrew origin and means son of the right hand or son of the south. It’s a popular name with biblical meaning as Benjamin was one of the 12 sons of Jacob. 
87. Benedicte Origin: French | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: Ben-a-dik
    Meaning: This boy’s name is a variant of Benedict which is of Latin origin, and means blessed. 
88. Claude Origin: French | Style: Distinct | Pronunciation: Kl-aw-d
    Meaning: This popular boy’s name is derived from Claudius, a Latin-inspired name. It means lame or limping, but has historical significance. 
89. Clément Origin: French | Style: Joyful | Pronunciation: Clay-Mon
    Meaning: Clément is the French form of the Latin name Clementius which means mild or gentle. 
90. Côme Origin: French | Style: Ornamental | Pronunciation: Korm
    Meaning: The name Côme is a boy’s name meaning order or decoration. 
91. Corentin Origin: Breton | Style: Powerful | Pronunciation: Kor-en-teen
    Meaning:  Corentin is derived from the Old Breton name Korentin which means hurricane or tempest.
92. David Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: Dav-eed
    Meaning: David is associated with the biblical figure King David, who was known for his wisdom. In this context, David means beloved or friend. 
93. Eliott Origin: Hebrew | Style: Religious | Pronunciation: L-e-ot
    Meaning: This popular French boy’s name has both English and Hebrew origins. It has religious significance and means Lord of the God or Yahweh is my God.
94. Elias Origin: Greek | Style: Religious | Pronunciation: E-li-us
    Meaning: Elias is a variant of the name Elijah and it means the Lord is my God. 
95. Enzo Origin: Italian | Style: Fun | Pronunciation: N-zoh
    Meaning: Often used as a shortened version of the name Lorenzo, Enzo has gained popularity in its own right. It doesn’t have a particular meaning but Lorenzo – or Laurel – means crowned with laurels. 
96. Esteban Origin: Spanish | Style: Memorable | Pronunciation: Es-ta-ban
    Meaning: The name Esteban is the Spanish version of the name Stephen. It also has Greek origins and means crown or garland.
97. Ethan Origin: Hebrew | Style: Popular | Pronunciation: E-than
    Meaning: Ethan is a popular name in many cultures, French in particular, and means strong, firm or steady. 
98. Evan Origin: Welsh | Style: Famous | Pronunciation: Ev-un
    Meaning: A Welsh name, derived from Iefan, a form of John. It can also be a variation on names from other languages, including Ivan, Ian, Juan, Euan, and Evangelos. 
99. Gabin Origin: French | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: Gab-an
    Meaning: Often a variant of the name Gabriel, Gabin has Hebrew roots and means God is my hero.
100. Gabriel Origin: Hebrew | Style: Religious | Pronunciation: Gab-ree-l
     Meaning: With religious significance, Gabriel means God is my strength or God is my strong man. It’s also often associated with the archangel Gabriel. 
101. Gaspard Origin: French | Style: Timeless | Pronunciation: Gas-par
     Meaning: Gaspard is a variation of the name Jasper. It’s typically a boy’s name and means treasurer in historical context. 
102. Guilbert Origin: German | Style: Traditional | Pronunciation: Gwee-bear
     Meaning: The name Guilbert is a variant of the name Gilbert. It’s made up of two parts: “gisil” which means pledge and “berht” which means bright.

103. Hugo Origin: German | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: U-go
     Meaning: Hugo means mind or intellect and the name conveys qualities such as wisdom and intelligence. 
104. Ibrahim Origin: Arabic | Style: Valuable | Pronunciation: E-bra-him
     Meaning: Ibrahim is the equivalent of the name Abraham in English. It’s associated with characteristics like righteousness and strength, as it means father of many. 
105. Ilyes Origin: Arabi