Less obvious French names

[Cluelessmouse]

We’re Both half French but born and raised in Uk where DC will also be raised.

between us we also have Middle Eastern, Scandinavian and Celtic ties.
we’re looking for a name, that works in the UK but isn’t very popular (which I would probably define as not in the top 100 or maybe even top 150 names)

so far we like
Remy
Rami
Blaize
Nour
Laith
Ambroise
Nazaire

but non of them are quite right.
We dont know if we’re having a bit or girl yet, but I quite like unisex or masculine sounding names for girls

Amelie
Aurelie
Aurore
Elodie
Eloise
Ines

Lucien
Sebastien
Dominic
Fabien
Stephane
Guillaume

Obeline
Alizea
Celeste

Colette

Blaise or Blase.
Juliet

Julian

Hugo/Huguette (H is silent in either case) or Ugo as in Rugby star Ugo Monye

Lucie /Amelie
Pierre/Matthieu

Ambroise will be horribly mispronounced in UK. Laith will be mispronounced by French speakers.

Nazaire is basically unheard of. Last in use in the 50s and 60s and extremely rare even then.
Blaise is very out of fashion. Average age about 50 I’d say. But it sounds better and younger with an English pronunciation.

I’d really recommend having a look at names from Brittany, there are some lovely ones. Maël / Maëlle, and Gaël / Gaëlle, Yann or Yannick (as above), and I’ve a student called Guirec, which I really like.

I’ve met a few littles called Jude recently, two boys and one girl. Lou currently very popular for girls.

Be wary of girls names ending in -ette, they are the Barbara and Linda of French names. (Which may appeal, but it’s that kind of vibe).

I like Blaise but it’s usually with an s I think

Don’t like the rest, though Remy is getting quite popular In the Uk

Lucian / Lucienne for a boy / girl

Manon, Catrin (Breton I think) Ines or Laure are nice for a girl

Sabine is pretty for a girl

Loic for a boy (Breton)

Alba

Ah, NICOLE!

I love Perrine for a girl.

Thibault (Theo for short).
Cybille / Sybille
Marianne
Marcel
Romy

Georgette (nn Geo)
Simone
Celine
Jacques (nn Jackie)
Armande

Genevieve (both pronunciations are gorgeous)
Sylvie
Louise (underused these days!)

Merle

I love Camille but way prefer the French pronunciation.
Also love Aurelie, Elodie, Fleur
And Amelie but that's fairly mainstream.
I really don't like Blaize from your list

For a girl:

Celine
Emeline
Nicole
Sabine

Boy:
Thibault
Sebastian
Philippe

Marianne

Sandrine
Chloë
Marine
Loïc
Agathe
Pascal(e)

Bertrand
Louis
Maya

Some lovely names on this thread but

Sixtine - come on really?
also Timeo - I fear in Latin

I love Merle, Genevieve, Ines, Anouk, Manon, Nour

Balonz?

Benoit
Louis

Camille
Laure