I love the French language (and the French), it’s so romantic and lush. I thought it would be interesting to list some French words that could make good names or middle names! The French word is on the left and the English word is on the right. If any of these are wrong tell me and I’ll change it!
Bleu – Blue
Narcisse - Daffodil
Lavande – Lavender
Jaune – Yellow
Rivière – River
Émeraude – Emerald
Orchidée – Orchid
Myrtille – Blueberry
Romarin – Rosemary
Cygne – Swan
Papillon – Butterfly
Coralliens – Coral
Menthe – Mint
Pavot – Poppy
Gingembre – Ginger
Tanaisie – Tansy
Persil – Parsley
Murmure – Murmur
Améthyste – Amethyst
Trèfle – Clover
Primevère – Primrose
Amandier – Almond
Libellule – Dragonfly
Obsidienne – Obsidian
Lapin – Bunny
Lilas – Lilac
Béatitude – Bliss
Genièvre – Juniper
Pâquerette - Daisy
Noisette – Hazelnut
Pacifique – Peaceful
Chardon – Thistle
Pomme – Apple
Achillée – Yarrow
Alouette – Lark
Étoile – Star
Blanche – White
Pivoine – Peony
Plume – Feather
Veille – Eve
Caille – Quail
Joyeux – Merry
Armures – Armor
Loup – Wolf
Romarin – love it!
me, too. Anything that can lead to Ro is appealing in my book.
I was going to say the exact same thing!
What a great list! I am LOVING Libellule (dragonfly). I somehow forgot that one from French class
Libellule was one of my favorites as well.
These are all stunning. I always wonder how they’d go in French culture as well, of course, considering the fact that your child may one day go there, etc.
As for favorites…well, they’re all beautiful! Genièvre, Noisette, Obsidienne, Libellule, Béatitude…I could go on. Really, I find them all very appealing. I actually don’t think there is one I dislike.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! I’m really adoring Noisette, I may have to profile that name someday.
It works the opposite way too when it comes to French names not working in other countries. I know a French girl who went to England on an exchange last year. Her name? Fanny. Apparently quite popular as a name in France, but grossly inappropriate in England given what it’s slang for.
Genièvre, Libellule, Narcisse and Jaune are my favourites. I could definitely imagine a child running around with any of them. This was such a great idea. I’ve currently started French again, and it’s a beautiful language.
Sometimes I do wonder why a certain word doesn’t just become a name. I’ve always liked Lua, Portuguese for moon. Now that you’ve mentioned dragonfly, I like it in Portuguese as well. It’s similar to the French, Libélula.
On a random side note, the fact that you have an image taken from La Belle Assemblée as your icon makes you rock
Well thank you my dear! I have a soft spot for word names, I can’t really explain why. I think Genièvre would totally work, it’s very close to Genevieve which seems to make it more usable.
Lilas and Alouette are adorable, and Pacifique is (or has been anyway) used as a French name.
It’s funny that Myrtle isn’t particularly glamorous, but Myrtille in French accent is sweet. I’m thinking Bleu Myrtille (“blue blueberry”) would be a cute name combo!
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What a beautiful list – I love French and word names, so this is like a smorgasbord of namey goodness for me. I was blessed enough to marry a Frenchman with a last name that can actually pull these babies off – I have long told him he was my name nerd’s dream come true. My favorites:
Alouette
Cygne
Lapin
Loup
Narcisse
Pacifique
Papillon
Primevère
Rivière
Romarin
Veille