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Original poster

Baby girl names to suit different British and French naming styles

87 replies

Indiff · 17/09/2026 13:03

Hi all, so my husband and I are expecting our first child together, we both have children from our first marriages and my husband is French.

We have very very different naming styles.

My children are Pippa Jane and Leo Mark, family names for middle names. His children each have 3 middle names! And quite formal to me anyway first names, their names are Arthur Louis Marc Gaspard and Estelle Inès Pascale Aliénor.

We are expecting a little girl

My husband loves

Blanche, Victoire, Apolline and Eugénie
I think these are all far too heavy and I don’t like them.

I love Clara, Phoebe, Alice, Juliette, he doesn’t like any of these!

Can anyone help us find a name we both like?

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Calliopespa · 22/09/2026 00:12

Newabodemode · 21/09/2026 23:36

Anna was the choice of an Anglo-French couple I know. Laura was their second choice.
I like Clara and think it works here.
I really like Amandine and Elodie too.
What about Isabelle? (nn Isa?)
Or Nadia?

I am slightly bored to tears with Isabelle, but in this instance I think it's a good suggestion.

GustyGertie · 22/09/2026 00:25

minipoodlemum · 21/09/2026 22:59

I know a few little French girls, so adding their names to the mix:

Jade
Ambre
Célestine
Léontine
Laure

@minipoodlemumhow do you pronounce Laure please? Is it like Laura?

minipoodlemum · 22/09/2026 07:23

GustyGertie · 22/09/2026 00:25

@minipoodlemumhow do you pronounce Laure please? Is it like Laura?

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Yes, like Laura without the a. It’s pretty.

Newabodemode · 23/09/2026 08:26

sashh · 18/09/2026 06:49

What about Catherine? It's timeless and works in both languages.

Elizabeth

Violette, famous British women who was sent to France as a spy / resistance worker in WWII.

Valentina, the name of the first woman in space, although it's a Russian name it isn't only Russian. It also has lots of potential for diminutives eg Tina and Val.

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Tina or Val aren't really great in English though?

CatVester · 23/09/2026 11:27

Newabodemode · 23/09/2026 08:26

Tina or Val aren't really great in English though?

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Equally, Elisabeth/Catherine aren't brilliant in France.

ButlerianJihadNow · Yesterday 18:08

Capucine

CuteHANDBAG · Yesterday 18:20

ButlerianJihadNow · Yesterday 18:08

Capucine

I love this name and recommend it too. It’s so pretty

Gonnaeatalotofpeaches · Yesterday 19:27

I think Capucine is beautiful too and know some cute little Capicines at my daughters maternelle but I can imagine it would get butchered in English.
I like Ambre also which is quite current in France but I imagine that would be mistaken for Amber in English.

ButlerianJihadNow · Today 06:20

The dad will think Ambre is chavvy

Velveting · Today 06:29

ButlerianJihadNow · Today 06:20

The dad will think Ambre is chavvy

I have to admit it immediately gives me Ambre Solaire sunscreen.

Calliopespa · Today 19:24

ButlerianJihadNow · Yesterday 18:08

Capucine

I love this actually. But I'm not sure it works in English? Kappa-sin!

Dorothyperky · Today 19:46

I usually work in Paris so I hear some pretty names.

Vivienne
Daphne
Valerie
Fleur
Cecily
Helene
Alexandra

I've also worked with Fanny,
Hermes and Chanel!

My Mil and Dil are both called Catherine/Kathryn.

If I had had another daughter she would have been Angharad (but that's Welsh).

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