One of the hardest decisions you'll ever make is trying to decide what to call your baby. If you're into the French aesthetic, you will love these elegant French names
France has always had a reputation for being elegant and chic. These days, though, our love of all things French is bordering on obsession. We're not totally deluded and know that the way we think about Frenchness has a sugar-coating of Disney, but, the stereotype is one to live by. And, I was in Paris lately and some of it is definitely true. 99% of Parisians are effortlessly cool and good-looking and their names match.
French style and beauty (as in, the way they think about beauty) is having a moment, but don't expect these names to be 'common' in a few years time. They should be reserved for a deserving bébé (eh, that's yours of course!). Expect your tiny Jeanne to become a stripe-wearing, wine-drinking, art-appreciating cool girl.
Girls
Mireille
Pronounced: Mee-ray
Meaning: 'to admire'
Hélène
Pronounced: E-len
Meaning: French form of Helen, from Greek
Aveline
Pronounced: Av-eh-leen
Meaning: 'desired'
Françoise
Pronounced: Frahn-swaz
Meaning: Feminine form of François, French version of Francis
Fleur
Pronounced: Fluur
Meaning: 'flower'
Camille
Pronounced: Keh-meel
Meaning: French form of Camilla, from Greek
Clemence
Pronounced: Kle-mance
Meaning: Feminine form of Clementius, from Latin
Jeanne
Pronounced: Zahn (French), Jeen (English)
Meaning: Old French feminine form of Iohannes (John)
Coralie
Pronounced: Kaw-ra-lee
Meaning: Derivative of Latin corallium (coral)
Juliette
Pronounced: Zu-lyet
Meaning: Diminutive of Julie.
Margaux
Pronounced: Mar-go
Meaning: Variant of Margot, from the French town
Advertised
Clémentine
Pronounced: Kleh-mahn-teen
Meaning: French feminine form of Clement
Emmanuelle
Pronounced: Eh-ma-newl
Meaning: French feminine form of Emmanuel
Boys
Louis
Pronounced: Lwee (French) Loo-ee / Loo-is (English)
Meaning: French form of Ludovicus, from Ludwig.
Mathis
Pronounced: Ma-tees
Meaning: French form Matthias.
Bastian
Pronounced: Bas-tyan
Meaning: Short form of Sebastian
Leandre
Pronounced: Lean-dre
Meaning: French form of Leander
Luc
Pronounced: Luyk
Meaning: French form of Luke
Remy
Pronounced: Remy
Meaning: 'oarsman'
Étienne
Pronounced: E-tyen
Meaning: French form of Stephen
Sébastien
Pronounced: Se-bas-tyen
Meaning: French form of Sebastianus
Olivier
Pronounced: Aw-lee-vee-ay
Meaning: French form of Oliver
Henri
Pronounced: Awn-ree
Advertised
Meaning: French form of Henry
Do you like French names? If you had to choose RIGHT NOW, what would you name a baby boy and girl?
