This list brings together 28 French girl names, running alphabetically from “Élodie” to “Elsa.” Most carry the soft vowels and gentle rhythm typical of French naming traditions, and many trace back to Germanic, Greek, Hebrew, or Latin roots that were reshaped over centuries into their distinctly French form. Parents use them for newborns, but they also show up often in literature, film, and family history research.

French girl names are given names used across France and French-speaking regions, often shaped by centuries of religious, royal, and literary influence. Many, like “Éléonore” or “Eugénie,” carry echoes of French queens and empresses, while others, such as “Éponine,” were popularized through classic literature. Some names stay close to their original meaning, like “Espérance,” which simply means “hope.”

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

Name: the French given name itself, shown in its standard spelling with accents, so you can see exactly how it’s written.

Pronunciation: a simple phonetic guide showing how to say each name out loud, helpful if you’re unfamiliar with French sounds.

Meaning: the name’s origin and literal or historical meaning, giving you insight into what it represents or where it comes from.

Description: a short note on the name’s background, popularity, or cultural significance, so you can judge whether it fits what you’re looking for.

French girl names

NamePronunciationMeaning
Élodieay-loh-DEE“foreign riches” (Gothic origin)
Éloïseay-lo-EEZ“healthy” or “wide” (Germanic origin)
Éliseay-LEEZ“God is my oath” (French form of Elizabeth)
Émilieay-mee-LEE“rival” or “eager” (French form of Emily)
EmmaEM-ah“whole” or “universal” (Germanic origin)
Estellees-TEL“star” (from Latin stella)
Eugénieeu-zhay-NEE“well-born” or “noble” (Greek origin)
ÈveEV“life” (Hebrew origin, French form of Eve)
Élianeay-LYAN“sun” or related to the Greek god Helios
Espérancees-pay-RAHNS“hope”
Ernestineer-nes-TEEN“serious” or “earnest” (feminine form of Ernest)
Edwigeed-VEEZH“battle” or “strife” (French form of Hedwig)
Eulalieeu-lah-LEE“well-spoken” or “sweetly speaking” (Greek origin)
Évelineay-vleen“life” or “wished-for child” (variant of Eve/Evelyn)
Éléonoreay-lay-oh-NOR“light” or “compassion” (French form of Eleanor)
Emmanuelleeh-mah-nu-EL“God is with us” (feminine form of Emmanuel)
Enoraeh-noh-RAH“honor” (Breton form of Honorine)
Estheres-TAIR“star” (Persian origin, biblical name)
Éditheh-DEET“prosperous in war” (Germanic origin)
Élisabethay-lee-za-BET“God is my oath” (French form of Elizabeth)
Emelineem-LEEN“hardworking” or “industrious” (Germanic origin)
Emmelineem-LEEN“hardworking” or “industrious” (variant of Emeline)
Éponineay-poh-NEENpossibly linked to the Gaulish horse goddess Epona
Esméees-MAY“esteemed” or “loved” (Old French origin)
Etiennetteeh-tyen-ET“crown” (feminine form of Étienne/Stephen)
Ermineer-MEEN“whole” or “universal” (Germanic origin)
Edméeed-MAY“wealthy protector” (feminine form of Edmond)
ElsaEL-sah“God is my oath” (short form of Elisabeth)

Descriptions

Élodie
A graceful, widely used French name that became especially popular in the late 20th century and remains a modern classic across France.
Éloïse
Made famous by the medieval love story of Héloïse and Abélard, this elegant name has a literary, romantic air.
Élise
A short, musical name familiar worldwide thanks to Beethoven’s “Für Elise,” it has long been a staple among French given names.
Émilie
One of France’s most consistently popular girls’ names, prized for its soft sound and timeless, feminine feel.
Emma
A short, punchy name that topped French birth charts in recent decades, favored for being simple yet elegant in any language.
Estelle
A vintage French name evoking light and brightness, it has seen a stylish revival among parents drawn to old-fashioned charm.
Eugénie
Carried by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, this dignified name has an aristocratic, historical resonance in France.
Ève
The French version of the biblical first woman’s name, prized for its brevity and timeless, elemental meaning.
Éliane
A softly flowing name popular in mid-20th-century France, still chosen today for its warm, luminous meaning.
Espérance
A rare, virtue-based French name directly meaning “hope,” occasionally used as both a given name and a poetic word.
Ernestine
A vintage French name with a no-nonsense charm, common in earlier generations and now considered charmingly old-fashioned.
Edwige
Borrowed from the Germanic Hedwig, this distinctive name carries a strong, warrior-like meaning while sounding softly French.
Eulalie
An old French name honoring an early Christian saint, prized today for its lyrical, vintage sound.
Éveline
A gentle, flowing name that blends the biblical Eve with a distinctly French finish, popular in earlier eras.
Éléonore
An elegant, regal name linked to historical queens like Eleanor of Aquitaine, still favored for its refined sound.
Emmanuelle
A graceful, spiritually rooted name that gained wide recognition through French cinema and remains a classic choice.
Enora
A Breton name popular in western France, valued for its soft sound and its meaning tied to honor and integrity.
Esther
A biblical name long used in France, admired for its strong heritage and its meaning connected to light and stars.
Édith
Immortalized by singer Édith Piaf, this name carries a strong, distinctly French cultural identity despite its Germanic roots.
Élisabeth
A timeless, regal name used across French history, offering a more formal alternative to the shorter Élise or Lisette.
Emeline
A delicate, old-fashioned French name that has quietly persisted for centuries, valued for its soft, feminine sound.
Emmeline
A slightly fuller variant of Emeline, this name has a storybook charm and gentle vintage appeal in France.
Éponine
Popularized worldwide by the character in Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables,” this distinctive name has deep Gaulish roots.
Esmée
A dainty, romantic name meaning “loved,” it has an old-world French charm that feels both delicate and enduring.
Etiennette
A rare, traditional feminine form of Étienne, carrying royal undertones through its meaning of “crown.”
Ermine
An uncommon vintage French name, also evocative of the elegant white ermine fur associated with French nobility.
Edmée
A gentle, rare French name derived from Edmond, carrying a meaning of guardianship and prosperity.
Elsa
A short, crisp name widely used in France as an independent given name, valued for its simplicity and clean sound.
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