100+ French Middle Names With Meanings For Your Baby

Georgia Stone
Dec 02, 2024 By Georgia Stone
Originally Published on Dec 17, 2020
Cute baby smiling and his father brushing hair



American naming conventions typically follow the format of a first name, middle name and last name.

French names typically tend to involve one or more given name serving as the first name. One name is typically used as the first name for daily tasks while the other is used on official documents.

A French middle name typically doesn't exist in the English conceptual sense. Second names don't function in the same way that they do for the English and middle initials are never used by the French.

Middle French names for babies are typically given today as a tribute to a loved one, especially the grandparents of a baby boy or baby girl. Among the French, it's also common for baby names to be compound names, which don't function as two distinct first names.

Picking some French boy names or French baby girl names as a strong middle name is a great way to give an edge to the already meaningful name you will have picked for your baby among the many options for baby names.

We've put together a list of popular as well as unique French middle names that will be perfect for your baby. Check out our list and get inspired!

For more inspiration on baby names, check out our articles full of fabulous French boys' names and the best unisex French baby names.
 

French Middle Names For Girls

Looking for some pretty and strong French girl names that will be the perfect middle name for your baby? We've got some popular French middle names for girls that you'll love. If going down the popular route isn't your cup of tea, you can also pick some of the unique French girl names from this list.    

1. Adilene (French origin), the name means "nobility".

2. Aimee (French origin), the name means "beloved". Among the popular names for girls especially between the '70s and '80s.

3. Antoinette (French, Latin origin), the name means "worthy of praise". Popularized by Marie Antoinette, who was born as Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna.

4. Audree (French origin), the name means "strength".

5. Belle (French origin), the name means "beautiful".

6. Bernadette (French, Teutonic, English origin), the name means "one who is as brave as a bear".

7. Blanche (French origin), the name means "fair". One of the vintage French names for girls.

8. Camille (French, English, Latin origin), this French girl name means "religious attendant". It is a popular a commonly found French name.

9. Chanel (French, English origin), among the French names for girls meaning "from the channel or canal". The name has gained popularity due to the French fashion designer Coco Chanel, it makes a stylish middle name.

10. Charlotte (French, German, English origin), the name means "strong and free".

11. Chloe (French, Greek origin), the name means "flourishing" or "blooming". Among the French baby names that will make a great middle name for your daughter.

12. Claire (French, Latin origin), the name means "shining brightly".

13. Clementine (French, Latin origin), the name means "merciful".

14. Colette (French, Greek origin), the name carries the meaning "triumphant" or "victorious".

15. Corinne (French, Greek origin), the name means "maiden". Among the French baby names that will make a great middle name.

16. Denise (French, Greek origin), among the French names for girls meaning "devoted to the wine God, Dionysius".  

17. Desiree (French, Latin origin), the name means "one who is longed for".  

18. Dior (French origin), among the names meaning "golden".

19. Elaine (French, English, Greek origin), the name means "shining light".  

20. Fleur (French origin), the name means "a flower". This is among the unique French baby names popularized by the character of Fleur Delacour who was first introduced in 'Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire'.  

21. Francine (French origin), among the names meaning "free" or "one who is from France".

22. Genevieve (French, Celtic, German origin), the name means "one who belongs to the race or tribe of women".

23. Giselle (French, Teutonic, German origin), the name means "a pledge or promise".

24. Jacqueline (French, Hebrew origin), the name means "the one who comes after" or "the one who replaces".

25. Jewel (French, Portuguese origin), among the names meaning "pretty or precious gemstone".

26. Jolie (French origin), this given name means "pretty" and works well as a middle name.  

27. Josephine (French origin), the name means "God will add or increase".

28. Juliet (French, Latin origin), this French name means "one who is forever young". It is a popular given name that also works well as a middle name.

29. Lorraine (French, Teutonic, Latin origin), among the names that mean "one who is from the Lorraine province".

30. Lucie (French, English origin), the name means "light" or "illuminating".

31. Madeleine (French, Greek origin), the name means "high tower" or "strong and great".

32. Margot (French origin), among the names that mean "like a pearl" or "child of light".

33. Marie (French, Hebrew origin), the name means "star from the sea". Another name popularized by Marie Antoinette, who was born as Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna.  

34. Michelle (French, English, Hebrew origin), the name means "who is like God" or "who is closest to God".

35. Mireille (French, Latin origin), the name means "wonderful", "prosperous" or "the admired one".

36. Monet (French origin), among the names that mean "to be heard".

37. Monique (French, Latin origin), the name means "advisor" or "wise counselor".

38. Nicolette (French, Greek origin), the name means "victory of the people".

39. Odette (French, German origin), the name means "wealthy" or "praise God".

40. Patrice (French, Latin, English origin), this French name carries the meaning "born into nobility".

41. Pauline (French, German origin), the name means "small" or "petite".

42. Reine (French, Latin origin), meaning "Queen".

43. Simone (French, Hebrew origin), the name means "she heard" or "harkening".

44. Suzette (French, Hebrew origin), the name means "graceful and pretty just like a lily". One of the pretty French baby names that will make a great middle name for your daughter.

45. Violette (French, English origin), the name means "purple blue flower".

46. Yvonne (French origin), the name means "yew wood".

47. Zoe (French, Greek origin), the name means "full of life" or "vibrant".

French Middle Names For Boys

Want to explore some French names for boys that will make great middle names? Pick a name you like from our list of some unique and some popular French middle names for boys.

48. Antoine (French, Latin origin), the name means "priceless" or "praiseworthy".

49. Armand (French, Teutonic, German origin), the name means "an army soldier". This is among the toughest and strongest French baby names.

50. Arthur (French, Celtic origin), the name means "bear" or "noble one". It is one of the sweetest French boys' names.

51. Brice (French, Scottish, English origin), the name means "son of a noble man".

52. Charles (French, Teutonic, German origin), the name means "free man", "farmer", or "manly and strong".

53. Denis (French, Greek origin), among the male French names meaning "devoted to the wine God, Dionysius".

54. Francois (French origin), the name means "a free man" or "a man from France". A French boy name that makes for a good middle name.

55. Frederic (French origin), the name means "the peaceful ruler".

56. Gaston (French origin), the name means "from Gascony in southwest France" or "the foreigner".

57. Gilbert (French, German origin), the name means "promise" or "pledge".

58. Guy (French origin), the name means "guide" or "leader".

59. Hugo (French, German origin), the name means "mind and spirit".

60. Jacques (French origin), the name means "the one who comes after" or "the replacement".

61. Lamar (French, German origin), the name means "one who is from the renowned land or sea".

62. Leo (French, Greek, Latin, English origin), the name means "brave like a lion".

63. Luc (French origin), the name means "the light".

64. Marc (French, Latin origin), the name means "warlike". Among the strong baby names you can use as a middle name for your son.

65. Marcel (French origin), the name means "small warrior". This is also the name of the French God of War.

66. Martin (French, Spanish, Latin origin), the name means "warlike". One of the strong French baby names that can be used as a middle name.  

67. Maurice (French, Latin, English origin), the name means "one who has dark skin".

68. Nicolas (French, Greek origin), a French baby name meaning "the people's victory".

69. Orville (French, English origin), the name means "from the gold town". One of the unique French baby names.

70. Pascal (French, Latin, English origin), a given name meaning "one who is born around the time of Easter".

71. Percival (French, English origin), the name carries the meaning "pierce the veil".

72. Philippe (French origin), the name means "one who befriends and loves horses".

73. Pierre (French origin), the name means "one who is strong and solid just like a rock".

74. Quentin (French, Latin, English origin), a name meaning "the fifth one".

75. Raphael (French, Hebrew origin), the name means "one who is healed by God". This given name makes a good middle name.

76. Richard (French, German, English origin), the name means "a strong and powerful ruler".

77. Roy (French, German, English origin), the name means "royal" or "a King".

78. Russell (French origin), the name means "one who has red or fox colored hair".

79. Samuel (French, Hebrew origin), the name means "asked or told by God".

80. Sebastien (French origin), the name means "one who is respected and adored".

81. Simon (French, Greek, Hebrew origin), the name means "God has heard".

82. Sinclair (French, Scottish origin), the name means "one who is from Saint Claire".

83. Theo (French, Greek, German origin), among the French baby names meaning "blessing or gift from God".

84. Thomas (French, Greek, Hebrew origin), the name means "twin".

85. Travis (French, English origin), the name means "to crossover at the crossroads".

86. Tristan (French, Celtic, English origin), the name means "bold".

87. Victor (French, Latin origin), the name means "the winner".

88. Yves (French, German origin), the name means "an archer".

Gender Neutral French Middle Names

Want to find some popular French names that will work well for boys and girls? Here's a list of gender neutral baby names from France that might inspire the middle name of your baby.  

89. Amour (French origin), the name means "love".

90. Danielle (French, Hebrew origin), the name means "God will be the judge".  

91. Dominique (French, Latin origin), the name carries the meaning of "belonging to the Lord".  

92. Gabrielle (French, Hebrew origin), the name means "God is the hero and strength".

93. Jeanne (French, Hebrew origin), the name means "God is gracious".

94. Jules (French, Greek origin), the name means "forever young".

95. Lourdes (French origin), the name means "one who is from the town of Lourdes in France".

96. Louise (French, Teutonic, German origin), this French name means "brave warrior".

97. Manon (French origin), the name means "child of wishes".

98. Noel (French, Latin origin), the name means "one who is born on Christmas day or around the time of Christmas". This name is quite popular among the gender neutral French baby names.

99. Renee (French origin), the name means "reborn" or "born again".

100. Sacha (French, Greek origin), the name means "the defending warrior".

101. Valentin (French, Russian, Latin origin), the name means "valiant" or "healthy".

Kidadl has lots of great names articles to inspire you. If you liked our suggestions for French middle names, then why not take a look at something different like these middle names for girls with meanings, or these German middle names with meanings.  

Editorial credit: WagnerWehlingPhotography / Shutterstock.com
Editorial credit: Samoliotova / Shutterstock.com
Editorial credit: SwaddleDesigns / Shutterstock.com
 

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Georgia Stone

Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia Stone picture

Georgia StoneBachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.

Read full bio >