This list brings together 23 French girl names, running from “Thaïs” to “Tallulah.” Most carry roots in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, or regional French dialects, and many are still given to babies across France today. You’ll find them used on birth certificates, in family trees, and increasingly in books and shows that celebrate French naming traditions.

French girl names are first names traditionally given to girls in France, often shaped by centuries of religious, literary, and regional influence. Many, like “Tiphaine,” trace back to the feast of Epiphany, while others, like “Théodora,” recall Byzantine empresses and saints. This mix of history and sound is part of what makes them so enduring.

Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Meaning, and Description.

Name: the French given name itself, spelled the way you’d see it on official documents or in everyday use.

Pronunciation: a simple phonetic guide that helps you say each name correctly, even if you don’t speak French.

Meaning: the origin and literal sense behind the name, so you understand where it comes from and what it once expressed.

Description: a short note on the name’s history, popularity, or cultural background, giving you context beyond the basic definition.

French girl names

NamePronunciationMeaning
Thaïstah-EESPossibly Greek for “bandage,” linked to the Egyptian god Thoth
ThéaTAY-ahGreek for “goddess”
Théodoratay-oh-doh-RAHGreek for “gift of God”
Théodosietay-oh-doh-ZEEGreek for “given by God”
Théophanietay-oh-fah-NEEGreek for “appearance of God”
Thérèsetay-REZUncertain, possibly “harvester” or tied to the Greek island of Thera
Thelmatel-MAHGreek for “will” or “wish”
Tiphainetee-FENFrench form of Épiphanie, meaning “manifestation of God”
Tiphanietee-fah-NEEVariant of Tiphaine, meaning “manifestation of God”
Typhainetee-FENAlternate spelling of Tiphaine, meaning “manifestation of God”
Tatianatah-tee-AH-nahUncertain, from the Roman clan name Tatius
Taniatah-NYAHDiminutive of Tatiana
Taratah-RAHIrish for “hill” or Sanskrit for “star”
Taliatah-LYAHHebrew for “dew from God” or Italian for “birthday”
TessTESSDiminutive of Thérèse or Elisabeth
TessaTESS-ahVariant of Tess, from Thérèse
Tiffanytee-fah-NEEEnglish form of Théophanie, meaning “manifestation of God”
Toinettetwah-NETDiminutive of Antoinette, meaning “priceless” or “beyond praise”
Tulliatoo-LYAHLatin, from the Roman gens Tullia
ToscaTOSS-kahItalian for “Tuscan woman”
Toscanetoss-KAHNFrench for “Tuscany”
Tamaratah-mah-RAHHebrew and Georgian for “palm tree”
Tallulahtah-loo-LAHChoctaw for “leaping water”

Descriptions

Thaïs
An elegant French name popularized by Anatole France’s novel and Massenet’s opera about a courtesan in ancient Egypt.
Théa
A short, breezy name often used alone or as a nickname for Théodora, popular among modern French parents for its softness.
Théodora
The feminine form of Théodore, carried by a famous Byzantine empress, and still chosen in France for its regal, historic feel.
Théodosie
A rare, old-fashioned French name tied to several early Christian saints, occasionally revived for its vintage charm.
Théophanie
Linked to the feast of Epiphany, this name shares roots with Tiffany and evokes a sense of divine revelation.
Thérèse
A beloved traditional French name, forever tied to Sainte Thérèse de Lisieux, one of France’s most venerated saints.
Thelma
Popularized by an 1887 novel, this name crossed into France in the 20th century and retains a soft, old-fashioned charm.
Tiphaine
A distinctly French and historic name, famously borne by Tiphaine Raguenel, the astrologer wife of medieval hero Bertrand du Guesclin.
Tiphanie
A softer spelling variant of Tiphaine that keeps the same Epiphany-rooted meaning while sounding slightly more modern.
Typhaine
A Breton-flavored spelling of Tiphaine still used in western France, especially in Brittany.
Tatiana
A name of Roman and Russian literary pedigree, made famous by Pushkin’s “Eugene Onegin” and widely used across France.
Tania
A shortened, friendlier form of Tatiana that became fashionable in France in its own right during the 20th century.
Tara
A short, globally recognized name adopted in France for its gentle sound and ties to both Celtic and Buddhist tradition.
Talia
A light, lyrical name linked to the sleeping princess of an old fairy tale and embraced in France for its warm, sunny feel.
Tess
A crisp, one-syllable name popularized by Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” and adopted by French parents for its simplicity.
Tessa
A slightly fuller version of Tess with the same gentle roots, chosen for its rhythmic, easy pronunciation.
Tiffany
Reimported into France from English-speaking pop culture, this name shares its deep roots with the older French Tiphaine.
Toinette
A cozy, old-fashioned nickname once used as a standalone first name in French villages.
Tullia
An elegant, ancient Roman name that found its way into France through classical literature and history.
Tosca
Borrowed from Puccini’s famous opera, this dramatic name has a small but devoted following among French parents.
Toscane
A place-inspired name evoking the sunlit hills of the Italian region, part of a wider French trend for geographic first names.
Tamara
A warm, exotic-sounding name with biblical and Georgian royal ties, used steadily in France since the mid-20th century.
Tallulah
A playful, rhythmic name popularized by actress Tallulah Bankhead and picked up by trend-conscious French parents.
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