French names have a way of sounding elegant without trying too hard. Some feel romantic and old world, others clean and modern, but most share that soft, musical flow people love. If you are naming a baby, a character, a pet, or even a username, French names tend to travel well and age beautifully.
Below is a curated, skimmable list organized by style, with short, accurate meanings for each name.
Classic French Girl Names
Amelie – hard working
Anne – grace
Bernadette – brave as a bear
Camille – attendant or helper
Charlotte – free woman
Claire – clear or bright
Colette – victory of the people
Elise – pledged to God
Francoise – free one
Genevieve – tribe woman
Isabelle – God is my oath
Josephine – God will add
Louise – famous warrior
Madeleine – woman from Magdala
Marie – beloved
Monique – advisor
Nathalie – birthday of the Lord
Simone – one who hears
Sophie – wisdom
Yvette – yew tree
Modern French Girl Names
Adele – noble
Alix – noble kind
Anais – grace
Aya – sign or miracle
Celie – heavenly
Elodie – foreign riches
Ines – pure
Jade – precious stone
Lina – delicate
Maelys – chief or princess
Mila – gracious
Noemie – pleasant
Romane – Roman
Salome – peace
Tess – harvester
Zelie – noble
Short and Sweet French Girl Names
Aimee – beloved
Belle – beautiful
Chloe – blooming
Eve – life
Fay – fairy
Lea – weary
Lou – famous warrior
Mae – pearl
Nina – little girl
Rose – rose flower
Elegant French Girl Names
Adeline – noble
Angelique – angelic
Beatrice – bringer of joy
Celeste – heavenly
Delphine – from Delphi
Emmeline – brave
Juliette – youthful
Lucienne – light
Odette – wealthy
Vivienne – full of life
Vintage French Girl Names
Agnes – pure
Blaise – gentle
Clotilde – famous in battle
Estelle – star
Florence – flourishing
Henriette – ruler of the home
Leonie – lioness
Marguerite – daisy
Pauline – small
Suzanne – lily
Nature Inspired French Girl Names
Aurore – dawn
Cerise – cherry
Fleur – flower
Lilas – lilac
Marine – of the sea
Neige – snow
Océane – ocean
Olive – olive tree
Sylvie – forest
Violette – violet flower
Classic French Boy Names
Adrien – from Hadria
Alain – handsome
Andre – manly
Antoine – priceless
Benoit – blessed
Charles – free man
Etienne – crown
Henri – ruler of the home
Jacques – supplanter
Jean – God is gracious
Julien – youthful
Laurent – crowned with laurel
Louis – famous warrior
Marcel – little warrior
Michel – who is like God
Nicolas – victory of the people
Olivier – olive tree
Pierre – rock
Sebastien – revered
Victor – conqueror
Modern French Boy Names
Axel – father of peace
Eliott – the Lord is my God
Enzo – ruler of the home
Gael – generous
Hugo – mind or spirit
Leo – lion
Mael – chief
Mathis – gift of God
Noah – rest
Raphael – God has healed
Soren – stern
Theo – gift of God
Short French Boy Names
Alex – defender
Eli – ascended
Luc – light
Max – greatest
Noe – rest
Remy – oarsman
Sam – God has heard
Tom – twin
Vintage French Boy Names
Armand – soldier
Basile – royal
Cedric – kind and loved
Damien – to tame
Edmond – protector
Felix – happy
Gaston – guest
Hector – steadfast
Leonard – brave lion
Maurice – dark skinned
Unisex French Names
Alexis – defender
Angel – messenger
Claude – lame
Dominique – belonging to God
Lou – famous warrior
Noel – Christmas
Sacha – defender of mankind
French names balance beauty and meaning in a way that feels effortless. Say them out loud, picture them at different ages, and see which one sticks. The right name usually does.