This list brings together 37 French girl names, running alphabetically from “Camille” to “Cyrielle.” Many of these names share soft, melodic sounds and roots in Latin, Greek, or old Germanic language, and they’re widely used for naming babies, choosing characters for stories, or simply exploring French culture and heritage.
French girl names are first names traditionally given to girls in France, often carrying centuries of history, religious tradition, or literary influence. Some, like “Colette” and “Cosette,” are tied to famous French authors and novels, while others honor saints or French queens. Many have crossed borders and become popular well beyond France.
Below you’ll find the table with the name, pronunciation, meaning, and description for each entry.
Name: the French given name itself, spelled exactly as it’s traditionally written and used today.
Pronunciation: a simple phonetic guide showing you how to say each name the way a French speaker would.
Meaning: the original sense or root of the name, so you understand what it historically stood for.
Description: extra background on each name’s origin, notable namesakes, or cultural significance, giving you helpful context beyond the basics.
French girl names
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Camille | kah-MEEL | Perfect, attendant at a religious ceremony |
| Capucine | kah-poo-SEEN | Nasturtium (flower) |
| Caroline | kah-roh-LEEN | Free woman (feminine of Charles) |
| Cassandre | kah-SAHN-druh | Prophetess who is not believed |
| Catherine | kat-REEN | Pure |
| Cécile | say-SEEL | Blind |
| Céleste | say-LEST | Heavenly, of the sky |
| Célestine | say-les-TEEN | Heavenly |
| Célia | say-LYAH | Heavenly, from the Roman clan Caelius |
| Céline | say-LEEN | Heavenly, moon goddess |
| Cerise | say-REEZ | Cherry |
| Chantal | shahn-TAL | Stone, boulder |
| Charlotte | shar-LOT | Free woman (feminine of Charles) |
| Chloé | kloh-AY | Green shoot, blooming |
| Christelle | kris-TEL | Follower of Christ |
| Christiane | kris-TYAHN | Follower of Christ |
| Christine | kris-TEEN | Follower of Christ |
| Claire | KLAIR | Bright, clear |
| Clara | klah-RAH | Bright, clear |
| Clarisse | klah-REESS | Bright, famous |
| Claude | KLOHD | Lame, from the Roman family Claudius |
| Claudette | kloh-DET | Lame, from Claudius |
| Claudine | kloh-DEEN | Lame, from Claudius |
| Clémence | klay-MAHNSS | Mercy, mildness |
| Clémentine | klay-mahn-TEEN | Mild, merciful |
| Cléo | klay-OH | Glory |
| Clotilde | kloh-TEELD | Famous in battle |
| Coline | koh-LEEN | Dove, or diminutive of Nicole |
| Colette | koh-LET | Victory of the people |
| Colombe | koh-LOHMB | Dove |
| Constance | kon-STAHNSS | Steadfastness, constancy |
| Corentine | koh-rahn-TEEN | Feminine form of Corentin |
| Coralie | koh-rah-LEE | Coral |
| Corinne | koh-REEN | Maiden |
| Cosette | koh-ZET | Little thing, endearment |
| Cunégonde | kew-nay-GOND | Bold in war |
| Cyrielle | see-ree-EL | Lordly, of the Lord |
Descriptions
Camille
A unisex French name of Latin origin that has been popular for centuries, borne by notable historical and literary figures.
Capucine
Named after the nasturtium flower, this elegant French name evokes nature and has grown in popularity in recent decades.
Caroline
A classic French name derived from Charles, meaning “free,” long favored among European royalty.
Cassandre
The French form of Cassandra, the mythological Trojan princess gifted with prophecy but cursed never to be believed.
Catherine
A timeless French name of Greek origin meaning “pure,” borne by saints, queens, and countless generations of French women.
Cécile
The French form of Cecilia, traditionally associated with Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music.
Céleste
A poetic French name meaning “heavenly,” used mainly for girls and carrying an airy, ethereal charm.
Célestine
A softer, more elaborate variant of Céleste, fashionable in the 19th century and still charming today.
Célia
A graceful French name tied to an ancient Roman family name, evoking warmth and elegance.
Céline
A widely loved French name popularized internationally by singer Céline Dion.
Cerise
A sweet French nature name meaning “cherry,” evoking bright color and playful charm.
Chantal
Derived from a place name in southern France, this name honors Saint Jane Frances de Chantal.
Charlotte
A timeless French name meaning “free,” favored by European nobility and enduringly popular worldwide.
Chloé
A French form of the Greek name meaning “young green shoot,” symbolizing freshness and new growth.
Christelle
A French diminutive of Christine that was especially popular in the mid-20th century.
Christiane
The French feminine form of Christian, reflecting a long tradition of faith-based naming.
Christine
A classic French name meaning “Christian,” steady in popularity across generations.
Claire
A simple, elegant French name meaning “clear” or “bright,” associated with Saint Clare of Assisi.
Clara
A Latin-rooted cousin of Claire, favored across many European languages including French.
Clarisse
A French form of Clarissa, denoting brightness and clarity of spirit.
Claude
A historically unisex French name borne by Queen Claude of France, wife of François I.
Claudette
A feminine diminutive of Claude, popular in France in the early to mid-20th century.
Claudine
A feminine form of Claude made widely known by Colette’s series of Claudine novels.
Clémence
A graceful French name meaning “mercy,” reflecting gentleness of character.
Clémentine
Also the name of a citrus fruit, this cheerful name conveys sweetness and warmth.
Cléo
A short, modern French name often used as a nickname for Cléopâtre, evoking pride and glory.
Clotilde
An old Frankish name borne by Saint Clotilde, queen and wife of Clovis I, founder of the Frankish kingdom.
Coline
A soft, gentle French name sometimes linked to the dove, a symbol of peace.
Colette
A classic French name and diminutive of Nicole, made famous by the celebrated French author Colette.
Colombe
A gentle French name meaning “dove,” a timeless symbol of peace and purity.
Constance
A virtue name signifying steadfast loyalty, historically popular among French nobility.
Corentine
A Breton-French name linked to Saint Corentin, especially popular in western France.
Coralie
A delicate French name inspired by the sea, evoking coral’s natural beauty.
Corinne
A French form of Corinna, meaning “maiden,” with literary associations via Madame de Staël’s novel of the same name.
Cosette
Famously the name of a beloved central character in Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables.
Cunégonde
An old-fashioned French name of Germanic origin, notably used by Voltaire for a character in Candide.
Cyrielle
A modern French elaboration of Cyrille, blending tradition with a softer, more feminine sound.