France is treasured for its vibrant culture, rich cuisine, and its romantic language. With so much going for it, no one could fault you for wanting to choose French middle names for your children. These beloved baby names sound sophisticated and elegant yet somehow they still sound casual and cool. What’s not to love?
We wanted to get a better understanding of the French middle names parents are choosing today so we took a look at the most popular baby names in France today and always took a deep dive into our own catalog of French names to come up with a comprehensive list of appealing, top French middle names for girls and boys. Come, take a look at what we found!
Check Out These 50 French Middle Names!
French Middle Names for Girls
Brielle
A shortened form of the Hebrew name, Gabriel, meaning “God is my strength” is how you will encounter Brielle in the US, typically in a Cajun setting. However, Brielle is an old French name that stands on its own and means “hunting ground.”
Remi
Remy is a popular name among boys in France today, but many parents are turning to Remi as a femme form of the name. Remi means “oarsman.” The name sounds great next to many others, making it one of the most versatile French middle names.
Ember
With Amber on the decline, the French name, Ember, might just be the next best thing. The name does mean “a burning piece of coal” but we think its warm meaning and sound make it a suitable possibility.
Elise
Elise is a French diminutive form of Elizabeth, a name from Hebrew, meaning “pledged to God.” This charming two-syllable name is going to fit well in a middle spot.
Amy
Amy is one of the most popular middle names for girls in the US today. Did you know the name has French origins? This agreeable appellation means “beloved” which could be why it ends up on so many birth certificates.
Margot
Endlessly chic, Margot is a French diminutive form of Margaret, thus, the name means “pearl.” Margot is such an unfussy name as compared to Marguerite or Margarita. We think it’s a winner!
Adelyn
Adelyn is a wonderful French name that American parents are fast discovering today. The name is French but from German roots, sharing elements found in names like Adelaide and Madeline. The name means “noble,” and we think it sounds it!
Camille
A French form of Camilla, a name meaning “young ceremonial attendant.” Camille is one of those typical French middle names that should spring to mind immediately. It’s a classic but it does not sound the least bit dusty!
Michelle
Technically a unisex name, Michelle (the male form is spelled Michel and sounds identical) is the French form of Michael, a name from Hebrew, meaning “who is like God.”
Elle
Elle holds so much promise and elegance. While this name might be a bit too plain for most as a first name, we think it’s one of the best French middle names on this list. Elle simply means “she” in French.
Esme
A French name from Persian origins, Esme means “esteemed” in its French context and not too far off, “beloved” in Persian. This name was once exclusively a name used by men, but that’s changed completely today.
Liana
While you might think Liana is a clipped bit of Julianna or Eliana, it is, in face, a standalone French name. It means “like a climbing vine.” We love that hopeful meaning and this appellation’s soft, charming sound.
Ila
A French name, meaning “from the Island.” If you like Isla but prefer the long-E sound, Ila should appeal to you. This is one of the most criminally underrated French middle names and more parents should put it to good use.
Celie
For fans of The Color Purple, this name might hit too close to the heart. However, we think this French name sounds excellent as a middle name. It’s the French form of Cecilia, meaning “blind.”
Citron
Looking for French middle names that bring the zest? Look no further than Citron, a French name for girls, meaning “lemon.” Zippy, right?
Lilou
One of the French middle names coming specifically from Provence, Lilou has origins in the Occitan dialect as a name meaning “Lily.” In France today, this is top 20 choice for girls.
Lucie
Lucie sounds so vintage and full of character. It is simply the French form of Lucia, meaning “light.” If you are looking for bright and sunny French middle names, something like Lucie will serve you well.
Claude
Claude is a gender-neutral name and a very popular choice for girls in France today. Although this name means “stammering,” it sounds full of confidence and makes for one of the boldest choices among these French middle names.
Talie
From the Russian name Natalia, Talie is the simplified French form of the name that sounds so easy-breezy. The name means “Christmas day.” A perfect middle name for a girl born around Christmas!
Cadeau
One of the sweetest French middle names on the list, Cadeau is a French name and a word for “gift.” It’s an attractive and evocative option.
Fifi
One of the most froufrou French middle names, Fifi sounds unbelievably fun and playful in the middle spot. Fifi is a diminutive form of Josephine used among French speakers. The name means “Jehovah increases.”
Indre
One of the most beautiful and mysterious French middle names for girls, Indre names a river in France and means “beauty.” If you’re looking for a subtle nature name for the middle, Indre is yours for the taking.
Brie
Brie does indeed name a very famous cheese-producing region in France, but it is also a treasured name for girls. The name means “strength” and “exalted.”
Déja
Once popular in the 1990s in the US, Déja has since lost her luster. We think that’s a shame! This charming French appellation means “already” and it makes for a stunning middle name.
Sabine
The preferred French and German form of Sabina, Sabine is a storied name that refers to the ancient people of the same name. They were kidnapped by the Romans. However, the name still lives on today in Europe and beyond. There is a river in Louisiana with this name.
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French Middle Names for Boys
Beau
Now, we move onto French middle names for boys! Let’s kick things off with a classic, Beau. A French name, nickname, and generic term, meaning “handsome.”
Louis
A French name that looks the same in German, Louis means “renowned warrior.” It is one of the most agreeable French middle names for boys and we truly find it remarkable!
Travis
A popular first name, Travis also sounds great squeezed in the middle. The French name means “toll-keeper.”
Marcel
A French form of the Roman name Marcellus, Marcel is a handsome, unoffensive option and a safe bet for many parents looking for French middle names. The name means “little warrior.”
Curtis
Another popular French name that works great in the middle is Curtis. The appellation is stately and has been in use in the US for centuries. It means “polite.”
Dion
A cool name that once belonged to a student of the Ancient Greek genius, Plato, Dion means “son of heaven and earth.” Is there a better name meaning on this list? It’s debatable.
Anse
A name occurring in both French and German tradition, Anse typically used as a first name and, instead, it often finds itself in the middle spot. To the French, Anse means “cove,” making it a subtle nature name. In German, Ans is an Old German element, meaning “God” and included in other names like Ansel and Anselm.
Fabron
This name sounds similar to a fabric cleaner to some, but we find it charming. It comes from a French occupational name meaning “blacksmith.” We think it’s a touch more romantic than just Smith.
Juste
A French diminutive form of Justus or Justice, also meaning “fair” and “righteous.” Juste is just the right amount of name and one of the freshest French Middle Names on this list.
Luc
One of the coolest French middle names for boys on this list is good old Luc. The name is French with Greek and Latin origins, meaning “man from Lucania.” If you love the Jean-Luc style of name, you better hop on the Luc train.
Orville
Orville was one of the most popular names for baby boys in the US until the 1950s when it took a nosedive. We think this old-man name sounds suitable in the middle and will add some character. It means “golden town.”
Vidal
Not just a name for hairdressers, Vidal is an established French and Spanish favorite that comes from Latin and means “vital.” If you’d like to inject some old world charm into your son’s moniker, this will get you there more obviously than the other French middle names for boys on this list.
Terre
Pronounced exactly the same as the English word “tear,” Terre works as a subtly nature name that sounds familiar but not entirely common. This appellation means “earth.”
Merle
Considered one of the few great gender-neutral French middle names, Merle is a splendid option that sounds antique. The name means “blackbird” and it originated as a nickname for a person who loved to sing or whistle.
Léon
A French form of the Greek name Leander, Léon is a perennial favorite as a first name pick in France. We love it in the front or the middle. Léon sounds great with everything even though it has a spectacular meaning in “lion-man.”
Alain
If you love the name Alan but want a touch of gallic charm, go with Alain instead. It’s the preferred French form of the name and still means “handsome” and “cheerful.”
Arnoud
The French form of Arnold, a name from German, meaning “strong as an eagle.” Arnoud is properly pronounced without the “D” at the end, as ARE-new.
Burke
One of the most versatile French middle names, Burke plays nicely with many other names. The name has French origins and means “from the fortress.”
Denis
St. Denis is the patron saint of France and one of its most widely used names. The name can be traced back further, however, a form of Dionysius, a Greek god of wine. Denis means “god of Nysa” and you better not pronounce that S.
Gabin
Gabin is the French form of a Latin name, Gabinus, meaning “of Gabium.” The name is currently a top 20 pick among new French parents. A great alternative to Gavin.
Laramie
If you’re choosing a short first name, Laramie could be one of the best French middle names on this list. It has a winning meaning in addition to its handsome sound, “canopy of leaves.”
Mael
A name of French and Breton origin, meaning “chief” and “prince.” Pronounced, MY-el, this name has curiously evaded America’s radar.
Pascal
One of the most perfect French middle names for boys born in spring, Pascal means “Easter” and “Passover.” The name was last popular in the US in the early 20th century and we think parents should bring this gem back!
Renaud
Pronounced ren-OH, Renaud is a French form of Reginald that we must say, the French did improve upon greatly. The appellation means “counsel power.”
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Yves
Of all the French middle names on this list that we wish American parents would adopt, Yves is one of them. It’s a quintessential French name that means “yew wood.” What trips people up is the pronunciation of this appellation, which sounds exactly the same as Eve.
What did you think of these French middle names for girls and boys? We hope you feel inspired by these romantic options and you will add some French charm to your baby’s moniker. French names have appealed to Americans, regardless of their heritage, for centuries. You can choose to keep that tradition alive with any of the French middle names on this list! Happy baby name hunting!