Updated for 2026
Bonjour, name explorers!
Whether you’re expecting a little mademoiselle, choosing a character name, or simply love the charm of French culture, you’re in the right place.
French girl names are known for their elegance, softness, and effortless style. Many of them blend deep history with a modern, airy sound — and they never go out of fashion.
To help you find the perfect fit, here is an organized, easy-to-scan list of 100+ French girl names, complete with meanings and grouped into helpful sections.
Let’s dive in.
Want more ideas ? Our complete baby name archive is packed with inspiration to help you find “the one.”
Classic French Girl Names
These timeless choices have been loved for generations in France. They feel elegant, grounded, and beautifully familiar.
Classic French Girl Names (A–C)
- Abella — “breath”; rare and delicate
- Adèle — “noble”
- Agathe — “good”
- Aimée — “beloved”
- Alexandrine — “defender”
- Alice — “noble”
- Amélie — “hardworking”
- Anaïs — “grace”
- Angélique — “angelic”
- Annabelle — “loving”
- Apolline — “strength”
- Ariane — “most holy”
- Astrid — “divinely beautiful”
- Aurore — “dawn”
- Axelle — “peace”
- Béatrice — “bringer of joy”
- Bernadette — “brave as a bear”
- Blanchette — “little white one”
- Brigitte — “exalted one”
- Camille — “young ceremonial attendant”
- Cécile — “blind” (symbolic meaning: inner sight)
- Céleste — “heavenly”
- Chantal — “stone, boulder”
- Charlène — “free person”
- Chloé — “blooming”
- Claire — “clear, bright”
- Clémentine — “gentle, merciful”
- Clotilde — “famous in battle”
- Colette — “victory of the people”
- Coralie — “coral”
- Céline — “heavenly”
Classic French Girl Names (D–L)
- Danièle — “God is my judge”
- Delphine — “dolphin”
- Desirée — “desired one”
- Diane — “divine”
- Dominique — “belonging to the Lord”
- Édith — “prosperous in war”
- Élise — “pledged to God”
- Elodie — “marsh flower”
- Éloïse — “healthy, wide”
- Emmanuelle — “God is with us”
- Estelle — “star”
- Éveline — “wished-for child”
- Fabienne — “bean grower”
- Felicité — “happiness”
- Fleur — “flower”
- Francine — “French woman”
- Gabrielle — “God is my strength”
- Geneviève — “tribe woman”
- Ghislaine — “pledge”
- Giselle — “pledge”
- Hélène — “bright, shining one”
- Huguette — “heart, mind, spirit”
- Inès — “chaste”
- Isabelle — “pledged to God”
- Isolde — “ice ruler”
- Jacqueline — “supplanter”
- Jeanne — “God is gracious”
- Jeannette — “little gracious one”
- Josette — “God will add”
- Juliette — “youthful”
- Justine — “just, fair”
- Laurence — “from Laurentum / laurel”
- Léa — “weary”
- Léonie — “lion”
- Lucienne — “light”
Classic French Girl Names (M–Z)
- Madeleine — “of Magdala”
- Margot — “pearl”
- Marie — “wished-for child”
- Martine — “warlike”
- Mathilde — “mighty in battle”
- Mélodie — “melody”
- Nadine — “hope”
- Nathalie — “Christmas Day”
- Noëlle — “Christmas”
- Odette — “wealth”
- Ophélie — “help”
- Pascale — “Easter”
- Patrice — “noble”
- Pauline — “small”
- Philomène — “lover of strength”
- Rachel — “ewe”
- Raphaëlle — “God has healed”
- Renée — “reborn”
- Roxanne — “bright, dawn”
- Sabine — “Sabine woman”
- Séraphine — “burning ones; angelic”
- Simone — “one who hears”
- Solange — “solemn, dignified”
- Sophie — “wisdom”
- Stéphanie — “crown”
- Sylvie — “forest”
- Thérèse — “to harvest”
- Valérie — “strong, valiant”
- Véronique — “true image”
- Virginie — “pure”
- Vivienne — “life”
- Yvette — “yew tree”
- Yvonne — “yew tree”
- Zoé — “life”
Unique French Girl Names
These names stand out with unexpected sounds, nature themes, and soft, airy endings.
- Aveline — “hazelnut”
- Eléonore — “shining light”
- Esmée — “loved”
- Fleurine — “little flower”
- Jacinthe — “hyacinth flower”
- Lilou — playful French diminutive
- Mireille — “to admire”
- Océane — “ocean”
- Violette — “violet flower”
Popular French Girl Names in 2026
These names continue to top the charts in France and across Europe.
- Emma — “universal”
- Léa — “weary”
- Chloé — “blooming”
- Manon — diminutive of Marie
- Camille — “young ceremonial attendant”
- Louise — “famous warrior”
- Alice — “noble”
- Lina — light, bright diminutive
- Mila — “gracious, dear”
- Clara — “clear, bright”
Short French Girl Names
Quick to say, easy to love, and beautifully French.
- Léa
- Inès
- Zoé
- Maë
- Anaïs
- Lili
- Noé
- Fleur
- Rose
Pretty & Elegant French Girl Names
Soft, flowing names with an unmistakably French feel.
- Céleste
- Geneviève
- Vivienne
- Margot
- Éloïse
- Amélie
- Juliette
- Ariane
- Sophie
French Girl Names Inspired by Nature
France has a long tradition of nature-inspired names.
- Fleur — flower
- Aurore — dawn
- Océane — ocean
- Violette — violet
- Coralie — coral
- Rose — rose
- Marine — sea
- Sylvie — forest
Modern French Girl Names
Trendy choices that feel fresh in 2026.
- Maelys
- Eloane
- Louna
- Maeva
- Adélie
- Lison
- Maëlle
- Anaëlle
French Girl Names With Strong Meanings
Powerful options for bold, confident girls.
- Valérie — “strong, valiant”
- Mathilde — “mighty in battle”
- Léonie — “lion”
- Gabrielle — “God is my strength”
- Martine — “warlike”
- Astrid — “divinely beautiful; godly strength”
How to Choose the Perfect French Girl Name
A few things to consider as you narrow it down:
- Sound: Do you prefer soft endings (-ie, -ette) or stronger ones (-ine, -elle)?
- Meaning: Many French names carry deep symbolic meanings.
- Uniqueness: Decide whether you want a classic favorite or something more rare.
- Flow: Try saying the first and last name aloud a few times to see how they pair.
- Pronunciation: Some French names have beautiful sounds but may require a quick explanation.
More Baby Name Ideas
While you imagine the perfect name, why not explore even more ideas? Our complete baby name archive is packed with inspiration to help you find “the one.”
- 100 Unique French Baby Boy Names
- 100 Best Traditional Baby Girl Names
- 100 Best Hebrew Baby Girl Names
- 100 Best Long Baby Girl Names
- Best Four Letter Names for Your Baby
- 100 Best Classic Baby Girl Names
- 100 Baby Girl Names That Mean ‘New Beginning’
- 100 Strong Baby Girl Names & Their Meaning
Frequently Asked Questions: French Girl Names
Names like Emma, Louise, and Chloé continue to top the charts.
Océane, Lilou, Aveline, and Séraphine are less common but deeply French.
Céleste, Amélie, Éloïse, Margot, and Juliette are favorites.
Zoé and Vivienne are beautiful choices.
Léa, Inès, Zoé, Lilou, and Anaïs all fall into this category.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a name is such a meaningful part of welcoming a new child, and French girl names offer a beautiful blend of history, charm, and style. Whether you love something classic, modern, rare, or nature-inspired, there’s a name on this list that will feel just right.
Enjoy the search — and happy naming!
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
