Names That Are Très Chic
Did you know that the Beatles song "Michelle" brought on a wave of American girls with French names? With names like Sophie and Charlotte staying in the top 10 year after year, French names are more popular than ever. You don't have to live in Paris to give your daughter one of these delightful French names.
1. Adélaïde
Adélaïde, spelled with or without the accents, means "noble natured". This is fitting as many French nobles throughout history have chosen it for their daughters. This name can also be shortened into adorable nicknames like Addie and Lainey.
2. Alix
While Alix sounds like a cooler version of Alex or Alice, it's actually derived from our previous name, Adélaïde! That said, Alix is a cooler alternative to Alex or Alice, both of which are a little tired on the playground. Although this list is for baby girls, Alix is technically a unisex name that we've sneaked in.
3. Bernadette
Bernadette means "brave bear" which is an absolutely adorable choice for your roly-poly bundle of joy. Hopefully, this name encourages your daughter to stand up for herself. Bernadette is also the name of one of France's most beloved saints, Bernadette or Lourdes, and we hope that your child is just as angelic.
4. Colette
Possibly due to its association with the groundbreaking writer, Colette sounds elegant and mysterious...but a little bit playful too. Derived from Nicole, Colette means "people of victory". Whether you want your daughter to grow up to be a writer, or just want something that sounds chic, this is the perfect choice.
5. Coralie
In contrast to Coraline (which is spooky) and Caroline (which is a tad overdone), Coralie strikes a perfect balance. This name, unsurprisingly, means "coral reef", making it a cute pick if you're expecting a baby with fiery red hair.
6. Dominique
Another slyly unisex name, Dominique comes to French by way of Latin and means "of the Lord". This name was at its most popular when Dynasty was airing, and we think it's way overdue for a revival. You could shorten it to Nico or Nicky.
7. Edwige
While the pronounciation of this name may seem a little daunting, it's actually quite easy: ed-weeje is our best approximation. Edwige is a variation on the rather fearsome Germanic name Hedwig, meaning "war". While we hope your child won't give you too much trouble growing up, it's certainly a name for a fighter.
8. Geneviève
St. Genevieve is the patron saint of Paris who is believed to have saved the city from Atilla the Hun! This name means "woman of the tribe" and is an appealing alternative to Jennifer. If you want to be accurate, the French pronounce it je-ne-vee-eve, but most English speakers say jenna-veev.
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9. Héloïse
Eloise is one of the "old lady" names that's been on the rise lately, possibly due to the popularity of Bridgerton, but the French spell it Héloïse. The origin of this name is unknown, though it possibly means "wise" or "healthy"—both things you want your child to be. Unlike other names on this list, this name is pronounced basically the same in English and French.
10. Jehanne
Jehanne is an archaic form of Joan or Jeanne, both of which mean "God is gracious". The most famous bearer of this name is, of course, Joan of Arc, or Jehanne la Pucelle (the maiden) as she would have called herself. You can't get anymore French than the patron saint of France!
11. Léonie
We'll give you three guesses for what Leonie means...if you guessed "lioness", then you're correct! Léonie is one of the most popular names in France, so we're hoping it will make the jump across the Atlantic without too much trouble.
12. Madeleine
Madeleine means "from the city of Magdala", traditionally identified as Mary Magdalene's hometown—though nowadays it's associated with the fiesty redheaded heroine of the Madeline series of picture books. Sometimes, you don't need to mess with the classics.
13. Margaux
Every daughter is a pearl in her parents' eyes, but just in case you want to really get the point across, you can choose the name Margaux. Margaux is derived from Marguerite, meaning pearl, which is the perfect choice for June babies. Of course, you could always spell it Margot or Margo, but why not go for the most glamorous option?
14. Nathalie
Expecting a baby in December? Nathalie is the perfect alternative to the on-the-nose Noelle! Nathalie simply means "Christmas". This name is so cute and cozy (and pronounced exactly the same in English) that it makes us want to snuggle up by the fire, enjoying that newborn smell.
15. Noémie
If names can encourage good behavior, then we're really hoping that little Noémie lives up to her name. Derived from Naomi in the Book of Ruth, Noémie means "pleasant" or "lovely". For nicknames you could try Noe or Emmie.
16. Océane
Another one of the most popular names in France, Océane means...well, "From the ocean". Even if you live in a landlocked area, who can resist the beauty and the siren song of those clear blue waters. The ocean is beautiful, yes, but it's powerful too.
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17. Odette
This name needs no explanation for ballet fans, as it's the named of the doomed heroine in Swan Lake. Odette means "wealthy" and is a delicate and sophistcated choice for a baby. This name experienced a boom in popularity following WWII when resistence fighter Odette Hallows went public with her story of endurance and resilience.
18. Pascale
Spring is the time of rebirth and, in some cases, literal birth. Pascale means "Easter", making this a wonderful choice for a child born in the early spring!
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19. Suzette
Suzette, like its more common counterpart Suzanne, means "lily", making this name a great option for parents who want to give their daughter a floral name without naming her directly after a flower. Suzette has a retro sound to it, we honestly haven't met one outside of mid-century French movies. Maybe it's time for a revival?
20. Violette
In contrast to Suzette, the last name on this list is about a direct a flower reference as you can get without naming your daughter Flora. Violet, both the color and the flower need no introduction. The more conventional spelling may be more popular, but we think that a Violette by any other spelling sounds just as sweet!
