55 French Names for Girls | Classic, Chic & Trending
French names for girls carry a little extra personality and charm. After all, there’s a reason why “chic” is a French word.
This article includes a list of classic French names for girls, along with more modern options, names that are currently trending in France, and more. Save this guide for choosing baby names or designing a fictional character.
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Key takeaways
- This guide explores 50 French names for girls, from timeless classics to modern favorites, striking picks, and names currently trending in France.
- Whether you’re choosing a baby name or looking for elegant inspiration, you’ll find meaningful options with their origins, meanings, and cultural significance.
55 French names for girls
This list ranges from the traditional to names of iconic movie stars, and lots of choices that add a little extra pizzazz.
Classic French names for girls
This list of classic French names for girls includes options with a traditional feel that have withstood the test of time. They carry an unmistakably French air, whether reminiscent of classical literature or iconic French stars.
- Louise: Means “renowned warrior” currently trending
- Charlotte: Means “free person,” “petite,” and “strong”
- Marie: Means “star of the sea” and is the French derivative of Mary
- Madeleine: Has biblical roots and means “woman of Magdala,” popular in literature
- Joséphine: Strongly associated with famous figures like Napoleon’s wife and Josephine Baker
- Héloïse: Means “healthy” or “whole” and traces its roots back to ancient Greek
- Agnés: A name that traces back to medieval times and figures like Saint Agnes
- Annabelle: Means “grace” and “beauty”
- Claire: Means “clear,” “bright,” and “shining”
- Hélène: Means “torch,” “bright one,” or “shining one”
- Pénélope: A name that hails back to ancient Greek mythology, meaning “weaver”
- Margot: Means “pearl” and is inspired by a 16th-century French queen
- Maude: An Old French name that means “powerful battler” or “strong in war”
- Jeanne: A classic French name that means “God is gracious”
- Brigitte: Means “exalted one” or “strength,” associated with multiple famous French women
- Juliette: Also associated with various famous French women in the arts, traces its meaning back to the Roman name Julius
- Isabelle: Means “pledge to God,” a medieval name with royal heritage and the French derivative of Elizabeth
- Pascale: A name linked to Easter and Passover that’s popular across France, Belgium, and Switzerland
- Clara: Another classic variant of Claire that means “bright,” “clear,” or “luminous”
- Lucie: A French word derived from the Latin “lux,” which means “light”
- Sophie: Means “wisdom” and comes from Greek
- Anaïs: Means “grace” or “favor” and is the Provençal and Catalan version of Anna
- Mathilde: A classic name with Old Germanic roots that means “mighty in battle”
- Marianne: The official personification of the French Republic, it means “liberty,” “equality,” and “paternity”
- Pauline: Means “small” or “humble” and is derived from Latin
Modern French names for girls
This list of modern French names for girls features choices that are common in France but also work well in English contexts. They add just a touch of French elegance to stand out.
- Julia: Means “youthful” and offers a more modern twist on Juliette
- Zoé: Means “life” and offers a classic yet trendy option
- Mélissa: Derived from the Greek word for “honeybee,” with an accent that creates a French twist on a common English name
- Léna: A more modern version of Hélène and Madeleine that means “torch” or “shining lig”
- Camille: A classic yet modern name thatmeans “young ceremonial attendant”
- Angélique: A chic name that means “angelic”
- Amélie: The French version of Amelia thatmeans “hardworking” or “industrious.” It has a strong association with the eponymous film Amélie (2001)
- Justine: Means “fair” or “righteous,” especially popular in France during the early ‘90s
- Joëlle: Means “the Lord is God”
- Chloé: An iconic French name with ancient Greek roots that means “blooming” and “fertility”
Striking French names
If you’re looking for French names for girls that leave an impression, this section is for you. These names carry strong character for an unforgettable flair.
- Adélaïde: A unique name that means “nobility” and comes from Old Germanic
- Salomée: A name with ancient Greek origins that means “peace”
- Noémie: The French version of Naomi, which means “pleasantness,” or “delight”
- Apolline: Means “gift from Apollo” and offers a modern and elegant choice
- Lilou: A fun spin on Lily and Louise
- Marilou: A compound of Marie and Louise that means “beloved warrior” or “star of the sea”
- Céleste: Means “heavenly” or “celestial”
- Élodie: A melodic name that means “foreign riches” or “wealthy”
- Odette: Also means “wealth” or “prosperous”
- Geneviève: A name with Celtic and Greek roots that means “woman of the family”
Trending French names for girls
This list includes French names for girls that are currently popular in France. They offer something unique in English-language contexts, while bringing in a mix of both newer names and revived classics.
- Léa: Currently a popular name that is derived from the biblical name Leah, strongly associated with the actress Léa Seydoux, and means “lioness”
- Manon: A classic and diminutive of Maria and Madeleine that’s currently making a comeback
- Jade: Reminiscent of the green gemstone, Jade (pronounced “Zhad”) is having its moment
- Ambre: The French version of “amber,” referring to the deep yellow of fossilized tree resin, with Arabic and Persian roots
- Alba: Another current French favorite that is derived from the word “aube,” which means “dawn”
- Emma: Meaning “whole,” or “universal,” it’s a top baby name choice for parents in Paris
- Alma: Meaning “soul” in Spanish and Portuguese, Alma has been popularized by a French singer with this stage name
- Romy: A cute name that can also function as a shortened version of Romane or Rosemarie
- Rose: A romantic and classic girls’ name that refers to the flower
- Anna: A variant of Anne or Annette meaning “grace,” “mercy,” or “favor”
Frequently asked questions about French names for girls?
- What are French versions of English names for girls?
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These French versions of English names add a touch of character and elegance to common classics:
- Amélie
- Hélène
- Brigitte
- Isabelle
- Zoé
- Juliette
- Chloé
- Angelique
- Ambre
- Noémie
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- What are some traditional girls’ names in French?
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Some traditional girls’ names in French include:
- Héloïse
- Anabelle
- Hélène
- Margot
- Jeanne
- Brigitte
- Juliette
- Isabelle
- Lucie
- Sophie
- Anaïs
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- Which French names are currently popular for girls?
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French names that are currently popular for girls are:
- Léa
- Manon
- Jade
- Ambre
- Alba
- Emma
- Alma
- Romy
- Rose
- Anna
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