235 of the Best French Middle Names for Your Little One

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Naming consultant and childhood expert Dr. Haley Elizabeth Wilson shares her best French middle name suggestions

Co-authored by Sonya Prior and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: October 28, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Popular French Middle Names for Girls
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• Vintage for Girls
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• Unique for Girls
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• Popular French Middle Names for Boys
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• Vintage
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• Unique

|Show more |Show less

If you’re an expectant parent looking for a French middle name for your son or daughter, you’re in luck! Whether you’re looking for a way to honor your French heritage or you’re just a big admirer of French culture, you’re bound to find a name you love in this thorough list! We talked to naming consultant and childhood expert Dr. Haley Elizabeth Wilson to learn more about popular, unique, and vintage-sounding French middle names for both boys and girls.

French Middle Name Inspo

Naming consultant and childhood expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson suggests French-inspired middle names like Céleste, Marielle, and Aveline for girls and Jacques, Luc, or Adrien for boys. Other options include:

• For girls: Adèle, Adeline, Belle, Brigitte, Chloe, Colette, Eloise, Esme, Genevieve, Josephine, Juliette, Louise, Madeleine, Margot, Nicolette, Sylvie, Odette, Vivienne.
• For boys: Alexandre, Andre, Antoine, Beau, Blaise, Claude, Francis, Frederic, Gabriel, Georges, Henri, Laurent, Louis, Jules, Maxime, Noel, Olivier, Percy, Pierre, Remy.

Steps

Section 1 of 6:

Popular French Middle Names for Girls

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1. 
   Go for one of these well-loved French names if you want a sure thing. These French names are fairly popular, which means they’re favorites that have withstood the test of time. If you’re looking for a tried-and-true middle name for your baby girl, these are the ones for you!

   • Adèle: “Nobility.”
   • Adeline: “Noble.”
   • Adrienne: “From Hadria.”
   • Amélie: “Industrious” or “hardworking.”
   • Angélique: “Angelic.”
   • Annabelle: “Favored grace” or “lovable.”
   • Annette: “Gracious.”
   • Arielle: “Lion of God.”
   • Aveline: “Hazelnut.”
   • Belle: “Beautiful.”
   • Brigitte: “Power” or “virtue.”
   • Camille: “Free-born.”
   • Caroline: “Free man.”
   • Cécile: “Blind.”
   • Celeste: “Heavenly.”
   • Celine: “Heavenly.”
   • Chanel: “Canal” or “channel.”
   • Charlotte: “Free man.”
   • Chloe: “A young green shoot.”
   • Claire: “Clear” or “bright.”
   • Clarisse: “Shining” or “gentle.”
   • Colette: “Victory of the people.”
   • Danielle: “God is my judge.”
   • Elaine: “Bright” or “shining light.”
   • Elise: “Pledged to God.”
   • Eloise: “Healthy” or “wise.”
   • Esme: “Beloved.”
   • Estelle: “Star.”
   • Gabrielle: “God is my strength.”
   • Genevieve: “Tribe woman.”
   • Giselle: “Pledge.”
   • Isabelle: “Pledged to God.”
   • Jeanne: “God is gracious.”
   • Josephine: “God will add.”
   • Juliette: “Youthful.”
   • Léa: “Weary.”
   • Louise: “Famous warrior.”
   • Madeleine: From Magdala.
   • Margot: “Pearl.”
   • Marie: “Star of the sea,” “wished-for child,” “rebellious,” or “drop of the sea.”
   • Michelle: “Who is like God?”
   • Monique: “Wise.”
   • Natalie: “Christmas Day.”
   • Nicolette: “People’s victory.”
   • Odette: “Wealthy.”
   • Renée: “Born again.”
   • Rosalie: “Rose.”
   • Sabine: “From the Sabine people.”
   • Simone: “Listener.”
   • Sophie: “Wisdom.”
   • Sylvie: “From the forest.”
   • Valerie: “Strength” or “health.”
   • Vivienne: “Lively.”
   • Yvonne: “Yew wood.”

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson is a naming consultant and early childhood expert. She has over 20,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares naming tips, name meanings, and other inspiration.
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Section 2 of 6:

Vintage French Middle Names for Girls

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1. 
   Opt for a French middle name with some vintage charm. Whether you’re looking for an elegant French middle name reminiscent of the 1700s or 1800s, or a truly vintage middle name that goes all the way back to the Middle Ages, we’ve got some incredible options for you!

   • Amée/Aimée: “Beloved.”
   • Antoinette: “Priceless one.”
   • Aurélie: “Golden.”
   • Bénédicte: “Blessed.”
   • Bernadette: “Brave like a bear.”
   • Blanche: “White.”
   • Cateline: Medieval form of “Katherine,” meaning “pure.”
   • Clémence: “Merciful.”
   • Coralie: “Coral.”
   • Cosette: “Victorious.”
   • Delphine: “Dolphin.”
   • Dorothée: “Gift of God.”
   • Emmanuelle: “God is with us.”
   • Eugénie: “Well-born.”
   • Faye: “Fairy” or “faith.”
   • Fernande: “Adventurous.”
   • Françoise: “From France.”
   • Henriette: “Home ruler.”
   • Hortense: “One who comes from the garden.”
   • Inès: “Pure” or “holy.”
   • Isabeau: “God is my oath.”
   • Johanne: Old French form of “Joanna,” meaning “God is gracious.”
   • Laure: “Laurel.”
   • Lucienne: “Light.”
   • Manon: “Little Marie,” “wished-for child,” “beloved,” or “rebellious.”
   • Marielle: “Star of the sea.”
   • Marguerite: “Daisy.”
   • Melisende: Old French form of “Millicent,” meaning “strong in work.”
   • Ophélie: “Help.”
   • Rue: “Street” or “sorrow.”
   • Thérèse: “To harvest.”
   • Veronique: “True image.”
   • Victoire: “Victory.”
   • Violette: “Purple flower.”

Section 3 of 6:

Unique French Middle Names for Girls

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1. 
   Pick one of these rarer middle names to help your daughter stand out. If you’re looking for something a little bit more unique, these middle names could be totally perfect for you. They’re a bit less common, which means it’s less likely that other kids will share a middle name with your little one. Here are some of our favorite options:

   • Ambre: “Amber.”
   • Anouk: “Grace.”
   • Apolline: “Belonging to Apollo.”
   • Avril: “April.”
   • Bijou: “Jewel.”
   • Clementine: “Gentle” or “merciful.”
   • Dominique: “Of the lord.”
   • Éléonore: “Shining light.”
   • Elodie: “Foreign riches.”
   • Faustine: “Fortunate one” or “lucky.”
   • Fleur: “Flower.”
   • Héloïse: “Healthy” or “wide.”
   • Joëlle: “Jehovah is God” or “God will be willing.”
   • Jolie: “Pretty.”
   • Léonie: “Lion.”
   • Lilou: “Lily flower.”
   • Lune: “Moon.”
   • Maëlle: “Chief or prince.”
   • Maëlys: “Princess.”
   • Marceline: “Goddess of war.”
   • Margeaux: “Pearl.”
   • Martine: “Descendant of mars.”
   • Mathilde: “Battle mighty.”
   • Maybelline: “Lovable.”
   • Mireille: “To admire.”
   • Noëlle: “Christmas.”
   • Noémie: “Delight.”
   • Olympe: “Heavenly.”
   • Ottilie: “Prosperity” or “riches.”
   • Paulette: “Small.”
   • Raphaëlle: “God has healed.”
   • Remy: “Oarsmen” or “rower.”
   • Romée: “From Rome” or “pilgrim to Rome.”
   • Solène: “Solemn” or “religious.”
   • Zélie: “Solemn.”
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Section 4 of 6:

Popular French Middle Names for Boys

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1. 
   Choose one of these names if you want a tried-and-true name for your son. If you’re not a fan of anything too uncommon or out-there, these classic French names could be the right picks for you! Here are some of our favorites:

   • Adrien: “From Hadria.”
   • Alexandre: “Protector of mankind.”
   • Andre: “Courageous” or “valiant.”
   • Anton: “Valuable.”
   • Antoine: “Priceless” or “flourishing.”
   • Armand: “Soldier.”
   • Beau:“Handsome.”
   • Bernard: “Bold as a bear.”
   • Blaise: “To stammer.”
   • Charles: “Free man.”
   • Claude: “Lame.”
   • Corbin: “Raven.”
   • Darrell: “From Airelle” or “the courtyard.”
   • Éliott: “My God is the lord.”
   • Francis: “Freeman.”
   • Frederic: “Peaceful ruler.”
   • Gabriel: “god is my strength.”
   • Georges: “Farmer.”
   • Harvey: “Battle worthy.”
   • Henri: “House ruler.”
   • Hugo: “Mind,” “intellect,” “soul,” “thought,” or “heart.”
   • Jacques: “He who follows.”
   • Laurence: “From Laurentium.”
   • Laurent: “Martyred” or “laurel crown.”
   • Leo: “Lion.”
   • Louis: “Renowned warrior.”
   • Lucas: “Bringer of light.”
   • Lucien: “Light.”
   • Jean: “God is gracious.”
   • Jules: “Youthful.”
   • Julien: “Youthful.”
   • Léon: “Lion.”
   • Marc: “War-like.”
   • Mathéo: “Gift of God.”
   • Maxime: “Greatest.”
   • Michel: “One who is like God.”
   • Morgan: “Of the sea.”
   • Noel: “Christmas.”
   • Oliver: “Olive tree.”
   • Percy: “One who pierces the valley.”
   • Pierre: “Rock.”
   • Raphaël: “God has healed.”
   • Raoul: “Wolf counsel.”
   • Remy: “Oarsman.”
   • Rene: “Born again.”
   • Russell: “Redhead” or “fox-colored.”
   • Simon: “God has heard.”
   • Théo: “God’s gift.”

Section 5 of 6:

Vintage French Middle Names for Boys

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1. 
   Pick one of these names if you want something vintage or old-timey. Choosing a vintage-sounding French middle name is a great way to surround your little boy with a distinguished, elegant energy. Check out these amazing options:

   • Aldéric: “Wise ruler.”
   • Algernon: “With a mustache” or “whiskered.”
   • Aimé/Amé: “Beloved.”
   • Amis: Medieval French form of “Amice,” meaning “friend.”
   • Anthelme: “Helmet” or “protection.”
   • Antoine: “Priceless” or “flourishing.”
   • Arnaud: “Of Arnold.”
   • Auberi: Old French form of “Aubrey,” meaning “elf ruler.”
   • Auguste: “Great” or “magnificent.”
   • Aurèle: “Golden.”
   • Aymeric: “King,” “ruler,” or “noble.”
   • Baptiste: “Baptist.”
   • Benoit: “Blessed.”
   • Bérenger: “Bear” or “spear.”
   • Charlemagne: “Charles the Great.”
   • Christophe: “With Christ.”
   • Demont: “From the mountain.”
   • Didier: “OF Desiderius,” “ardent desire,” or “longed-for.”
   • Dieudonné: “God-given” or “gift of God.”
   • Émile: “Rival” or “to strive.”
   • Emmanuel: “God is present.”
   • Etienne: Medieval French form of “Stephen,” meaning “crown” or “garland.”
   • Fabrice: “Works with the hands” or “skilled craftsman.”
   • Florian/Florin: “Flower.”
   • Francois: “Free.”
   • Gage: “Pledge” or “measure.”
   • Garnier: Medieval French form of “Geoffrey,” meaning “to gather grain.”
   • Guillame: “One who protects.”
   • Jehan: Old French form of “Johannes,” meaning “God is gracious.”
   • Josse: “God will add.”
   • Marceau: “Little warrior.”
   • Marcel: “Little warrior.”
   • Mathieu: “God’s gift.”
   • Piers: Medieval French form of “Peter,” meaning “rock.”
   • Régis: “Kingly.”
   • Roul: Norman French form of “Rolf,” meaning “wolf counsel.”
   • Thibault: “Brave people.”
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Section 6 of 6:

Unique French Middle Names for Boys

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1. 
   Go for a more unique French name to set your little boy apart. On the flip side, if you want something completely one-of-a-kind for your future son, consider going with one of these rarer and lesser-known French middle names. They’re sure to help your little boy stand out in the crowd!

   • Adélard: “Noble strength.”
   • Alain: “Handsome.”
   • Alban: “From Alba.”
   • Aloïs: “Famous warrior.”
   • Ames: “Friend” or “amicable.”
   • Amédée: “To love God.”
   • Aristide: “Best,” “superior,” or “noble.”
   • Ciel: “Sky” or “heaven.”
   • Côme: “Order,” “beauty,” or “decency.”
   • Denis: “Follower of Dionysus.”
   • Édouard: “Rich guardian.”
   • Émeric: “Ruler” or “king.”
   • Frasier: “Of the forest men,” “strawberry,” or “strawberry plant.”
   • Gaspard: “Bringer of treasure.”
   • Gaston: “A guest.”
   • Gervais: “Good with a spear.”
   • Honoré: “Honored” or “esteemed.”
   • Lyam: “Will helmet” or “protection.”
   • Maël: “Chief” or “prince.”
   • Matis: “Gift of God.”
   • Mylan: “Soldier” or “gracious.”
   • Pascal: “Born at Easter.”
   • Perrin: “Rock.”
   • Rainier: “Strong.”
   • Romain: “Citizen of Rome.”
   • Séverin: “Stern.”
   • Timéo: “Honoring God.”
   • Yves: “Yew.”
   EXPERT TIP

   

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson

   Naming Consultant and Childhood Expert

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson is a naming consultant and early childhood expert based in Liverpool, England. Dr. Wilson shares name meanings, naming tips, and other inspiration on social media @little_name_library to over 20k followers on instagram. Dr. Wilson is also a Senior Lecturer in Practice & Employability for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health & Wellbeing degree at Edge Hill University and has extensive experience working with children during early childhood. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood and Adolescence Studies, a Master’s degree in Research, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Liverpool John Moores University.

   

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson
   Naming Consultant and Childhood Expert

   Try these names if you’re looking for a gender-neutral option. Names that lean more gender-neutral include Beau, Noël, Soleil, Valen, Lior, Claude, Camille, Léon, Maren, and Amory.

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