This list brings together 50 French girl names, running alphabetically from “Madeleine” to “Mylène”. Most carry roots in Latin, Breton, or biblical tradition, and many blend classic sound with a distinctly French flair. Parents use them for naming daughters, while writers and genealogists often turn to them for character names or family research.
French girl names are given names used across France to identify and celebrate daughters, often chosen for their sound, heritage, or family meaning. Many, like “Marie” and “Marguerite,” have stayed popular for centuries, while others, like “Maëlys,” reflect more modern Breton-inspired trends. Some even carry cultural weight beyond naming, such as “Marianne,” the symbolic personification of the French Republic.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Meaning, and Description.
Name: the French spelling of each name, listed alphabetically so you can browse or search for one that fits.
Pronunciation: a simple phonetic guide showing how to say each name the way French speakers do.
Meaning: the literal or historical meaning behind each name, useful if you want a name with personal significance.
Description: background on where the name comes from and why it’s notable, helping you choose one with a story worth telling.
French girl names
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Madeleine | mad-LEN | Woman from Magdala |
| Madelon | mad-LOHN | Diminutive of Madeleine |
| Maëlle | mah-ELL | Chief, prince (feminine form) |
| Maëlys | mah-eh-LEES | Chief + lily |
| Maëva | mah-eh-VAH | Welcome (Tahitian) |
| Mahaut | mah-OH | Mighty in battle |
| Maïwenn | mah-ee-WEN | White, fair (Breton) |
| Malou | mah-LOO | Diminutive of Marie-Louise |
| Malvina | mal-VEE-nah | Smooth brow |
| Manon | mah-NOHN | Diminutive of Marie |
| Marceline | mar-suh-LEEN | Young warrior |
| Marcelle | mar-SELL | Young warrior |
| Margaux | mar-GO | Pearl |
| Margot | mar-GO | Pearl |
| Marguerite | mar-guh-REET | Pearl, daisy |
| Marianne | mar-YAHN | Combination of Marie and Anne |
| Marie | mah-REE | Beloved, or bitter |
| Marie-Christine | mah-REE kree-STEEN | Marie + follower of Christ |
| Marie-Claire | mah-REE klair | Marie + clear, bright |
| Marie-Louise | mah-REE loo-EEZ | Marie + renowned warrior |
| Marie-Thérèse | mah-REE tay-REZ | Marie + harvester |
| Marielle | mah-RYELL | Diminutive of Marie |
| Marion | mah-RYOHN | Diminutive of Marie |
| Marine | mah-REEN | Of the sea |
| Marjolaine | mar-zho-LEN | Marjoram (the herb) |
| Marlène | mar-LEN | Blend of Maria and Magdalene |
| Marthe | MART | Lady, mistress |
| Martine | mar-TEEN | Of Mars |
| Maryse | mah-REEZ | Variant of Marie |
| Maryvonne | mah-ree-VUN | Blend of Marie and Yvonne |
| Mathilde | mah-TEELD | Mighty in battle |
| Maud | MOHD | Variant of Mathilde |
| Mauricette | moh-ree-SET | Dark-skinned |
| Maya | MY-ah | Great one |
| Mélanie | may-lah-NEE | Dark, black |
| Mélisande | may-lee-ZAHND | Strong (Germanic) |
| Mélodie | may-loh-DEE | Melody |
| Mélusine | may-lyoo-ZEEN | Legendary water-spirit name |
| Michèle | mee-SHELL | Who is like God |
| Micheline | mee-shuh-LEEN | Who is like God (diminutive) |
| Michelle | mee-SHELL | Who is like God |
| Miette | MYET | Little crumb |
| Mimi | mee-MEE | Diminutive of Marie or Michèle |
| Mireille | mee-RAY | To admire, wonder at |
| Mona | MOH-nah | Noble, solitary |
| Monique | moh-NEEK | Advisor |
| Morgane | mor-GAHN | Sea-born |
| Muguette | moo-GET | Lily of the valley |
| Muriel | myoo-RYELL | Sea-bright |
| Mylène | mee-LEN | Blend of Marie and Hélène |
Descriptions
Madeleine
A classic French name tied to Mary Magdalene, made famous by Proust’s madeleine cake and the “Madeline” storybook character.
Madelon
A folksy pet form of Madeleine, popularized by the beloved WWI-era French song “Quand Madelon.”
Maëlle
A Breton name derived from the male name Maël, growing steadily popular in France since the late 20th century.
Maëlys
A modern Breton-inspired blend name combining “chief” with the French word for lily, trendy since the 2000s.
Maëva
Borrowed from Tahitian, this soft, exotic-sounding name became fashionable in France during the 1980s and 90s.
Mahaut
An old medieval French form of Mathilde, revived by parents seeking historic, aristocratic-sounding names.
Maïwenn
A Breton name brought into the spotlight by French actress and filmmaker Maïwenn Le Besco.
Malou
A warm, affectionate nickname that combines Marie and Louise into a standalone first name.
Malvina
A literary name invented for the 18th-century Ossian poems, later adopted across France and Europe.
Manon
A beloved standalone French name, immortalized by the opera “Manon” and Pagnol’s “Manon des Sources.”
Marceline
A soft, old-fashioned feminine form of Marcel, rooted in the Latin name honoring the god Mars.
Marcelle
A once-ubiquitous early 20th-century French name now regarded as vintage-chic.
Margaux
A stylish modern spelling of Marguerite, also famously shared with the Bordeaux wine-growing region.
Margot
A chic, timeless nickname-turned-name long favored in French literature and royal history.
Marguerite
A classic French name carried by queens and widely used through the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Marianne
Famous as the national personification of the French Republic, symbolizing liberty and reason.
Marie
France’s most enduring first name, rooted in the biblical Mary and used for centuries alone or in compounds.
Marie-Christine
A classic mid-20th-century double name pairing France’s favorite name with a devout title.
Marie-Claire
A traditional compound name later lent to the well-known French fashion magazine.
Marie-Louise
A historic double name once borne by Napoleon’s second wife, Empress Marie-Louise.
Marie-Thérèse
A devout, traditional French compound name that was especially popular through the mid-20th century.
Marielle
A gentle, musical variation of Marie that was popular in mid-20th-century France.
Marion
An old French pet form of Marie dating back to medieval pastoral tales like “Robin et Marion.”
Marine
A breezy, nature-inspired French name that also happens to mean “navy” in French.
Marjolaine
A fragrant, nature-derived name evoking the aromatic herb prized in French cooking.
Marlène
Popularized internationally by actress Marlene Dietrich, this name has deep German-French roots.
Marthe
A biblical name from Martha of Bethany, valued in France for its simplicity and quiet dignity.
Martine
A once-ubiquitous mid-20th-century French name, also the title character of a classic children’s book series.
Maryse
A streamlined French name derived from Marie that was especially popular mid-century.
Maryvonne
A Breton double name combining Marie with the regionally favored name Yvonne.
Mathilde
A regal Germanic-origin name long used across French nobility and enjoying renewed popularity today.
Maud
A short, elegant form of Mathilde that entered French usage via medieval and English influence.
Mauricette
A now-vintage French name derived from Maurice, common in the early-to-mid 20th century.
Maya
A short, internationally popular name embraced in France for its clean, modern sound.
Mélanie
A graceful French name from the Greek “melas,” worn by saints and widely popular through the 1980s.
Mélisande
A poetic literary name made famous by Maeterlinck’s play and Debussy’s opera “Pelléas et Mélisande.”
Mélodie
A lyrical modern French name taken directly from the musical term.
Mélusine
Named after the mythical French fairy said to transform into a serpent or mermaid each week.
Michèle
The traditional French spelling of Michelle, common among mid-20th-century generations.
Micheline
A softened feminine form of Michel, popular in the early-to-mid 1900s.
Michelle
An international favorite that originated as the French feminine form of Michel.
Miette
A tender, whimsical French nickname sometimes used as a standalone given name.
Mimi
A playful pet name made romantic by the tragic heroine of Puccini’s opera “La Bohème.”
Mireille
A Provençal name popularized by the epic poem “Mirèio” by Frédéric Mistral.
Mona
A short, elegant name with layered origins used in France for its soft, universal sound.
Monique
A mid-20th-century French staple, popularized in part by the French namesakes of Saint Monica.
Morgane
Rooted in Arthurian legend as the sorceress Morgan le Fay, widely adopted as a first name in France.
Muguette
A charming floral name tied to France’s May Day tradition of gifting lily-of-the-valley sprigs.
Muriel
A Celtic-origin name long used in Brittany and throughout France.
Mylène
Popularized by French singer Mylène Farmer, this name blends two classic French favorites.