This list brings together 17 French girl names that start with the letter K, running alphabetically from “Kelly” to “Karelle”. You’ll find a mix of English imports, Breton classics, and names rooted in Arabic, Hebrew, and West African traditions. Parents use these names for everyday naming, family records, and birth announcements, and the list works well as a quick reference when you’re choosing a name or simply curious about one you’ve heard.
French girl names are first names given to girls born in France, and they often reflect the country’s mix of regional heritage and immigrant communities. Many K-names, like “Katell” and “Klervie”, come from Brittany’s Celtic tradition, while others, like “Kenza” and “Khadija”, reflect France’s large North African and Muslim populations. A few, such as “Kelly” and “Kimberly”, simply rode in on waves of American pop culture during the 1980s and 90s.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Meaning, and Description.
Name: the given first name itself, spelled the way it’s most commonly written in France today.
Pronunciation: a simple phonetic guide showing you how to say each name out loud, with stress marked in capital letters.
Meaning: the original meaning behind the name, drawn from its language of origin, so you know what it literally represents.
Description: brief background on where the name comes from and why French families have chosen it, including cultural or historical context.
French girl names
Name
Pronunciation
Meaning
Kelly
KELL-ee
Warrior (Irish)
Kim
keem
Royal, noble
Kimberly
kim-BER-lee
From the royal fortress meadow
Karine
ka-REEN
Pure
Katia
ka-TYA
Pure
Katell
ka-TELL
Pure
Klervie
klehr-VEE
Clear, bright
Krystelle
krees-TELL
Follower of Christ
Kenza
KEN-za
Treasure
Khadija
kha-dee-ZHA
Premature child
Kahina
ka-HEE-na
Seer, priestess
Kaoutar
ka-oo-TAR
Abundance
Kadiatou
ka-dee-ah-TOO
Trustworthy
Koumba
KOOM-ba
Traditional day-name
Keren
keh-REN
Horn, ray of light
Kiara
kee-AH-ra
Clear, bright, famous
Karelle
ka-RELL
Free woman
Descriptions
Kelly
An English-origin name that became fashionable in France during the 1980s, often linked to pop culture and American television.
Kim
A short, punchy unisex name used in France mainly as a stand-alone name or nickname for Kimberly since the late 20th century.
Kimberly
An English name that enjoyed a wave of popularity in France in the 1980s and 90s for its glamorous, exotic sound.
Karine
A French form of Katherine/Karen that was especially fashionable in France during the 1960s and 70s.
Katia
A Russian-derived diminutive of Ekaterina that became a softly exotic first-name choice for French parents.
Katell
The traditional Breton form of Catherine, still commonly given in Brittany and western France.
Klervie
A traditional Breton name honoring a local saint, valued for its soft, poetic sound.
Krystelle
A stylized spelling of Christelle that had a notable moment of popularity in France during the 1980s and 90s.
Kenza
An Arabic-origin name that has become one of the most widely used K-names for girls born in France in recent decades.
Khadija
An Arabic name honoring the Prophet Muhammad’s first wife, commonly given within French Muslim families.
Kahina
A Berber name honoring the legendary Amazigh queen who resisted invasion, popular among French families of North African descent.
Kaoutar
An Arabic name referring to a river of Paradise mentioned in the Quran, used by French Muslim families.
Kadiatou
A West African variant of Khadija, common among French families with Sub-Saharan roots.
Koumba
A West African name traditionally tied to the day of the week a girl was born, used within France’s African diaspora.
Keren
A Hebrew name used within France’s Jewish community, evoking radiance and strength.
Kiara
An Italian-rooted name popularized internationally by film and adopted as a stylish choice by French parents.
Karelle
A modern French-coined name blending familiar Kar- sounds with a soft feminine ending, popular in the late 20th century.
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