French names - Baby names with the origin French

French given names draw on Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Germanic sources, reflecting Catholic naming after saints as well as Frankish dynastic influence (e.g., forms of Louis, Henri). Hyphenated compounds are characteristic, especially Jean- and Marie- combinations such as Jean‑Luc or Marie‑Claire. Orthographic features include regular use of diacritics (Élodie, Jérôme, François; Anaïs with diaeresis; Maël with diaeresis), which affect pronunciation. Feminine forms commonly end in -e, -ine, -ette, or -elle (Claire, Pauline, Colette, Isabelle), while masculine forms often lack a final -e or use endings like -ien, -ric, -ard, or -aud (Adrien, Emeric, Gérard, Arnaud). Diminutives and affectionate suffixes such as -ette, -ot, and -on appear historically.

Naming conventions have shifted over time: post‑Revolution secular and classical names rose, saint names resurged in the 19th century, and since the late 20th century international and shorter forms have become common. Regional languages contribute distinct forms, notably Breton names like Yann, Maël, and Nolwenn. Some French names are unisex in domestic use (Dominique, Camille, Claude), though gender associations may differ outside France.