This list brings together 16 French girl names, running alphabetically from “Hanaé” to “Hyacinthe.” They range from soft modern hybrids to rare medieval and saintly names, and most work well as both first names and family heirlooms passed down through generations.
French girl names are first names given to girls in France, often rooted in Latin, Greek, Germanic, or Breton origins and shaped by centuries of saints, royals, and literary figures. Many carry layered meanings tied to nature, honor, or strength, and names like “Hortense” trace back to real historical figures such as Napoleon’s stepdaughter, Hortense de Beauharnais.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Meaning, and Description.
Name: the French given name itself, shown in its standard spelling so you can see exactly how it’s written.
Pronunciation: a simple phonetic guide that shows you how to say each name out loud with confidence.
Meaning: the original sense or root of the name, helping you understand what it symbolizes or where it comes from.
Description: background on the name’s history, cultural roots, or notable namesakes, giving you context beyond the dictionary definition.
French girl names
Name
Pronunciation
Meaning
Hanaé
ah-nah-AY
“flower” (Japanese-French blend)
Haude
ohd
uncertain, possibly “old” or “ancient” (Breton)
Havane
ah-VAN
“from Havana” (place name)
Hélène
eh-LEN
“light” or “torch” (Greek)
Héloïse
ay-lo-EEZ
“healthy and wide” (Germanic)
Henriette
ahn-ree-ET
“ruler of the household” (Germanic)
Hermeline
air-muh-LEEN
diminutive of Hermine, related to the ermine
Hermine
air-MEEN
linked to Hermès or the ermine animal
Herminie
air-mee-NEE
elaborated form of Hermine
Hersende
air-SAHND
“strength of the army” (Germanic)
Hombeline
ohm-buh-LEEN
uncertain Germanic origin
Honorée
oh-noh-RAY
“honored one” (Latin)
Honorine
oh-noh-REEN
“honor” (Latin)
Hortense
or-TAHNS
“gardener” (Latin)
Huguette
oo-GET
“heart, mind, spirit” (Germanic)
Hyacinthe
yah-SANT
from the hyacinth flower (Greek)
Descriptions
Hanaé
A modern French name blending the Japanese word for flower with a soft French ending, popularized by French singer-actress Hanaé and part of a wave of chic hybrid names.
Haude
A rare Breton saint’s name honoring Sainte Haude, a young martyr venerated in Brittany, still occasionally given in western France today.
Havane
A trendy contemporary French name borrowed from the Cuban capital, reflecting a fashion for exotic city and place names among younger French parents.
Hélène
A timeless French classic tied to Helen of Troy, carried by French saints and royals alike, and still a common choice for girls today.
Héloïse
Made famous by the tragic medieval romance of Héloïse and Abélard, this elegant name has seen a strong revival in modern France.
Henriette
The French feminine form of Henri, historically borne by Henrietta Maria of France, queen consort of England, and still used in a vintage style today.
Hermeline
A delicate medieval French name evoking the soft white fur of the ermine, once used affectionately in noble households.
Hermine
A refined French name that evokes both Greek mythology and the luxurious white ermine fur historically worn by royalty.
Herminie
A romantic, old-fashioned French name that was especially popular in 19th-century literature and society before falling out of everyday use.
Hersende
A medieval French noble name notably borne by Hersende de Champagne, a 12th-century crusader and abbess, now essentially historical.
Hombeline
A rare medieval French name carried by Sainte Humbeline, sister of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, occasionally revived by traditional Catholic families.
Honorée
A poetic and rarely used French name meaning “honored,” still found among devout or tradition-minded families.
Honorine
A gently old-fashioned French name tied to a beloved saint venerated near Marseille, giving it lasting regional popularity in Provence.
Hortense
An aristocratic French name borne by Hortense de Beauharnais, Napoleon’s stepdaughter and later queen consort of Holland.
Huguette
The feminine diminutive of Hugues, common in early 20th-century France and now enjoying a nostalgic, vintage-chic revival.
Hyacinthe
Though more often historically a boy’s name in France, Hyacinthe has also been used for girls, evoking the fragrant spring flower and an associated saint.
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