235 of the Best French Middle Names for Your Little One

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Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares her best French middle name suggestions

Co-authored by Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: November 14, 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
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• French Name Generator
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• Expert Q&A

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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 expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson to learn more about popular, unique, and vintage-sounding French middle names for both boys and girls.

French Middle Name Inspo

Naming 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 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 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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• Question

  Do you have more French middle names that start with the letter "M"?

  

  Natalie Mulholland
  Name Consultant

  Natalie Mulholland is a name consultant and content creator based in Athens, Georgia. With a lifelong interest in names, Natalie started creating content around this passion in 2023. She brings a linguistically focused approach to her content, sharing a name’s origin, meaning, category, notable people, and more. She is expecting to receive her bachelor’s degree in human development and family science from the University of Georgia in 2025.

  

  Natalie Mulholland

  Name Consultant

  Expert Answer

  There's one starting with Mae, like Maëllë, a very pretty visual name. There’s also Marisol, which is used a lot in Spanish too, but still has that lovely romantic sound. Lastly, Maude is another pretty and vintage name.

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