25 Chic French Flower Names for Girls and Boys

French flower names represent a couple of big baby name trends of the moment: a desire for nature-inspired names and appellations from other languages that are not as widespread as others. Most of the established, French flower names are not overtly flowery and instead offer a subtle nod to the flowers they describe. As you might expect, most flower names in use today are given to baby girls. But, girls are not the only ones who get to have flowery fun. We have also discovered some flower names for boys to share with you.

We have rounded up some excellent French names for you and while some are popular in France today, others are more unique finds that will surprise and delight. This means if you are searching for appellations that have gone virtually unused in the United States, you have come to the right place to uncover some hidden gems. Now, let us talk about all things botanicals and blooms!

French Flower Names for Girls

Anémone

Anémone is a French name that is derived from an ancient Greek myth. The myth centers around the love story of Aphrodite and Adonis. Aphrodite transforms her wounded lover’s blood into a flower, the crimson anemone, whose soft blooms are blown open by the wind, giving the flower its other name: windflower. The myth also gives the name its meaning, “daughter of the wind.” You will want to pronounce this one as the French do: ah-NEM-oh-nee.

Fleur

One of the most straightforward French flower names, Fleur is simply the French word for “flower.” It’s been in use as a given name since the 1970s but it has never ranked in the US top-1000 names for girls. Despite it lacking popularity here, Fleur is one of the most popular baby names for girls in Belgium and The Netherlands today. You will also encounter the name in England much more often than you do stateside.

Daphné

Daphné with the accent is the French form of a Greek name that means “laurel tree.” The name takes its meaning from Greek mythology. Daphne was a nymph who was saved from her creepy father, Apollo, a river god, transforming her into a laurel tree. Laurel trees or Bay trees are prized for their small white or pink blooms. Without the accent, the appellation is a top-500 choice in the US and it is an evergreen favorite in France.

Garance

Garance is a unisex French name that we love equally for girls and boys. The name describes the “madder flower” which is an intense shade of red. The flower itself is small and rounded and the color of the blooms is so vivid that Garance also names its unique shade of red. The name is a trendy one in France today but it has gone virtually unused in the US. You can change that!

Reine

Pronounced the same as “ren,” Reine names the reine-des-prés which is a wildflower commonly known as meadowsweet in English. Despite it being a name for a wildflower, this name actually has an orderly meaning in “queen.” The name was popular in France in the first half of the 20th century but it has since fallen from favor. Rescue this gorgeous appellation from the brink and introduce it to American ears.

Marguerite

The French form of Margaret, Marguerite means “pearl”. It is a classic  French name for a variety of daisies. That makes this flower name one of the most subtle on this list. It’s a very chic and posh choice in France today but it was given to fewer than 100 girls in the US last year. We think this charmer deserves more from new parents today in the US. 

Rose

Rose is a hugely popular name for girls in France today. Rose is derived from the Latin rosa, which referred to the flower. The French put their spin on it to give us the name and word, Rose, today. The name has always been a top-500 name in the US but its popularity in France is a new phenomenon. While Marguerite offers subtlety, Rose is very much straightforward.

Rosalie

Pretty Rosalie harkens back to the Rosalia festivals, the annual Roman ceremony of hanging garlands of roses on burial sites. Rosalia comes from Latin but the Rosalie spin is a French invention. Rosalie has long been popular in France and that’s pretty much true for the US as well. Today, it’s a top-200 option for baby girls. If Rose does not smell sweet enough for you, Rosalie will do the trick.

Liana

Liana has been quietly on the rise in the US since the 1970s. Today, it’s a top-500 choice for girls. Liana refers to a tropical, flowering vine. Thus, Liana means “to climb like a vine.” This delicate-sounding name with its gentle meaning could prove a winning combination for your baby girl.

Bettany

Bettany is a name of French and English origin that means “betony.” Betony is an herb, a flowering shrub that often features purple blooms. Bettany is the perfect alternative to the dated Bethany or the overly-used appellation Brittany. We love the idea of the nickname Bett for this one.

Rue

You can slice the name Rue in a couple of different ways. As a Latin name, it belongs to an herb that was prized by the Ancient Romans. In French, the name means “street” or “path.” It also is a word that means “regret” in English (from Latin as well). The appellation is one of the flower names that has an attractive single syllable that so many new parents are after today.

Lilou

Lilou is a charming, scarcely heard import. It is derived from Occitan, a language spoken in Provence, in the south of France, in which the suffix “ou” denotes a pet form — thus, Lilou is a short form of Liliane or its Occitan form Liliana or Liliano. Each of those longer names as well as the shorter one refer to the “lily.” This name is pronounced lee-loo, which is just adorable. The French think so too. It’s a top-20 name in the country today.

Iolanthe

Pronounced yo-lan-thuh, Iolanthe is a French flower name for girls that comes from Greek, meaning “violet flower.” It’s actually the French answer to Yolanda. Mildly popular in Europe today, Iolanthe has gone virtually unused in the US. We think it deserves a better shake!

Violette

If Iolanthe was too much of a mouthful to you, consider Violette, another French name that was derived from Greek that refers to the color and flower, “violet.” The name is pronounced with a long E-sound as vee-oh-let. Surprisingly, the name was popular in the US through the 1920s but fell out of the top 1000 by the 1930s. It finally staged a return here in 2020 landing back on the list for the first time in almost 100 years. With Violet also on the rise today, Violette would be a great alternative.

Suzanne

Suzanne is a French name from Hebrew, meaning “lily.” Suzanne is viewed as a retro pick along with its sister name, Susan. The name fell out of favor by the 1990s in the US. It’s been on the opposite trajectory in France where it is now seen as one of the most fashionable choices for baby girls today.

Capucine

Pronounced cap-oo-SEEN, Capucine is a chic French flower name that means”nasturtium.” It is one of the most stylish names in France and Belgium today. Although it is highly familiar to French speakers, most Americans have likely never encountered this treasured appellation.

 Liliane

We mentioned this name in passing when discussing Lilou but we think it deserves some attention as well. This name means “lily” and is the French form of Lillian. Liliane is not as popular as Lilou is in France today and it has never been widely used in the US. It’s a more established choice than Lilou and makes up for the sophistication that Lilou lacks.

RELATED: 25 Flowery Names for Girls Inspired by Nature’s Little Beauties

French Flower Names for Boys

Lupin

Now, French flower names for boys. As we mentioned, Garance is a unisex name and we just wanted to put that here in case you scrolled past it to get to the boy names. Lupin is a French name from the Latin root, lupus, meaning “wolf.” Lupins, as plants, reward gardeners with candy-colored blooms.

Florimond

Florimond is another French name from Latin and its components translate to “flowery mountain.” The name was a mildly popular choice in the US in the earliest part of the 20th century but it goes unused these days. If you’d like to bring back this vintage delight, go for it!

Ferréol

Ferréol is an undiscovered possibility in the US today. The name belongs to a grape varietal and contains elements from Latin that mean “iron” and “a grape variety.” The name belongs to a wine region in France but most Americans have never heard of it.

Hyacinthe

Hyacinthe is a French name of Greek origin that once referred to a purple gem but it is more commonly used today to name a bulbous flowering plant with fragrant blooms. This name is a unisex option in Europe. In fact, the name was traditionally only given to boys for decades before flipping to being almost exclusively to girls, to the consideration that it is gender-neutral today.

Anicet

Anicet is a French name that is derived from both Greek and Latin naming traditions. Depending on how you look at it, the name means “invincible” or “anise.” That second botanical meaning is the one we are after as it refers to an herbaceous plant that is used as a flavoring across the Middle East and beyond. Anicet is rare even in its homeland of France. That makes this one a really unique and distinguished option.

Florestanis

Florestanis might seem like a name we just made up but it is, indeed, an established appellation in France. For instance, its cousin name, Florestan, names Florestan I who was Prince of Monaco between 1841 and 1856. It’s an ancient French name that was derived from Latin and those roots mean “a garden of flowers.” This name is a rare choice in France and is virtually unknown by most Americans.

Saule

Saule looks and sounds a whole lot like the Hebrew name Saul, but it is derived from different roots. This French name is the word for a “willow tree.” Willow trees have long been associated with the moon and with magic. Those qualities give this name an inspired feel. Now, this name is undoubtedly going to get mixed up with Saul for parents in the US but if you are fine with correcting folks, it could be a great option for your family.

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Ambroise

Ambroise is a French name from the Greek word, ambrosia. Ambrosia was considered the food of the Olympic gods and it means “immortal.” According to myth, ambrosia offered eternal life to anyone who consumed it. Ambroise is given to about 200 boys each year in France but in the US it is very rare. The name also belongs to a flowering plant with showy purple-veined and white flowers. 

There you go! We hope you found a French flower name that is fitting for your baby. They are so wonderfully chic in every way. If you liked these names but want to discover even more nature-inspired names, keep reading for appellations that celebrate the great outdoors.

Check Out These Peaceful Nature Names for Boys & Girls!

Nature Names for Boys – Botanical Options

• Rue– A gender-neutral option kicks this list off! Rue is the perfect unisex choice that works for boys thanks to it sounding close to Drew. Rue was treasured by the ancient Romans for its medicinal applications. However, the name means “regret.”
• Sage– Another beloved herb by the Romans, Sage is a special name meaning “wise.”
• Florian– A distinguished and established name, Florian has Latin roots that mean “flower.”
• Betony– A virtually unused name, Betony is also the name of a wildflower.
• Campion– Campion is a French name that means “champion.” However, campion wildflowers are beloved for their pink and red petals.

Nature Boy Names Continued – More Botanicals

• Basil– Basil comes from a Greek root meaning “kingly.” It’s why basilicas are called such. Basil is also the name of a beloved herb!
• Sorrel– An edible herb with reddish-purple flowers, sorrels have a scrumptious name. Sorrel is also a French name meaning “reddish.”
• Reed– The name Reed enjoys English origins and is associated with boys with red hair. Reeds, of course, are the grassy plant often found growing near marshes.
• Zahur– Zahur has Egyptian and Arabic roots and is one of a few nature boy names that means “flower.”
• Oleander– Not only is Oleander a mashup of wildly popular Oliver and Alexander, Oleander names a flowering shrub.

Nature Names for Boys – Trees

• Rowan– The Rowan tree gave us the Scottish name Rowan. In Ireland, the name means “redhead.”
• Ash– From the Hebrew name Asher, Ash also refers to the Ash tree.
• Ewan– Scottish Gaelic, Ewan, means “born of the yew tree.”
• Oren– A Hebrew name that means “laurel” and “pine tree.”
• Elon– Another Hebrew treasure, Elon means “oak tree.”

Nature Names for Boys – Stones, Minerals & Rocks

• Slate– An excellent alternative to Slade, if your are looking for one, Slate refers to the cool, smooth rock.
• Alabaster– Alabaster makes for an evocative name for boys as it describes a smooth, white stone. The name evolved from Egyptian al-abaste, which refers to the Egyptian God Bast.
• Jasper– Thankfully, Jasper has grown in popularity in recent years. This awesome Persian name means “bringer of treasure.” But, you will also find a variant of it in Hebrew, meaning “speckled stone.”
• Onyx– The smooth black stone you know and love has such a wonderful name! Onyx contains Greek elements which mean “claw.”
• Kito– Kito is a Swahili name for boys that means “precious jewel.”

Nature Names for Boys – Landscapes & Topographic Appellations

• Forest– A name you know and love, Forest makes for a remarkable name for boys.
• Glenn– A Scottish name that’s used for both boys and girls, Glenn means “wooded valley.”
• Hawthorn– A touch prickly, Hawthorn sounds rather buttoned-up but we urge you to consider it! Hawthorn, like Glenn, is a topographic name referring to a “hedge of hawthorn.”
• Heath– Heath is a handsome name for boys that refers to a “heathland dweller.”
• River– River has been a hot nature name since the 1990s. River simply refers to the flowing bodies of water.

Nature Names for Boys – Mythology

• Sylvan– Sylvan comes from the Roman forest god Sylvan. Thus, this Latin name means “woods.”
• Aries– An astrology, mythology, and animal name all in one, Aries has it all. The Roman God of with a name that translates to “ram.”
• Atlas– The Name of Greek Titan who held the entire earth. This name is great for travelers as well. The name means “to carry.”
• Lir– Pronounced exactly the same way as Lear, Lir is an Irish name for boys that belonged to the god of the sea.
• Pan– A Greek mythological figure of a figure who possessed the legs of a goat! The being was tied to nature and the name Pan means “shepherd.”

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Nature Names for Boys – Animals

• Bear– Bear has been a hot name in the UK for years now and it’s finally come to the US. A little grizzly and a little teddy.
• Finch– Finch could make for a colorful choice. The name belongs to the bird but also has a history as an English name meaning “to swindle.”
• Fox– Sleek and a bit wild, Fox would be the perfect name for a boy with playful parents.
• Hawk– Sometimes spelled with an E as a surname, Hawk simply refers to the bird of prey.
• Wolf– Is Wolf too much of a name for a baby boy to shoulder? You get to decide! If it’s too literal, the German name Wolfgang means “wolf traveler.”

Nature Names for Boys – More Animals

• Wren– Wren is an English bird name that benefits from sounding exactly like the established name Rene.
• Robin– A unisex option, Robin refers to the bird, but it’s also an English diminutive form of Robert. In fact, it’s been a nickname for Robert for centuries. Thus, the name means “bright fame.”
• Buck– A touch rough around the edges, Buck may or may not appeal to you. We think it’s a strong name. It, of course, means “male deer.”
• Drake– Drake is a handsome one! This English name can mean “dragon” or “male duck.”
• Raoul– If you’re looking for a nature name with a touch of mystery, the French name Raoul might be the perfect option. It means “wolf-counsel” and sounds way better than its Germanic form: Ralph.

Now, Nature Names for Girls!

Nature Names for Girls – Botanical Beauties

• Liliosa– Liliosa is probably the best form of the name Lily. This  Spanish option offers distinction and warmth.
• Daisy– Daisy is an English flower name for the happy flower you know and love. It got its name because of the way it opens at dawn, “day’s eye.”
• Xochitl– A Nahuatl or Aztec floral name used in southern Mexico and pronounced so-chat-l, Xochitl means “flower.”
• Pema– A Tibetan girl’s name, Pema means “lotus flower.”
• Nasrin– Nasrin is a popular appellation in Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan today. It means “wild rose.” Are you in love?

More Nature Names for Girls – Fresh Botanicals

• Marigold– A vintage charmer, Marigold is an English flower name that refers to the gorgeous yellow flower. Unfortunately, this name has never appealed to many parents outside the UK.
• Lita– Lita is a shortened form of Rosalita, a Spanish name with Hebrew origins that means “garden.” This is one of our favorite nature names with the Rose- component.
• Kalina– Unless you have Polish heritage, you likely have never heard the Polish name, Kalina. It translates to “viburnum,” which is a flowering shrub.
• Jessamine– Jessamine is an ornate Persian name that simply means “jasmine.” It’s a great alternative to the many Jess- names out there.
• Irit– A Hebrew name you might not have encountered Irit before. This treasure refers to the “asphodel flower,” a perennial native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Nature Names for Girls – More Botanical But Less Flowery

• Briar– Briar is an English botanical name that (surprise, surprise!) means “briar patch.”
• Fern– Fern is one of those nature names that has faded through the years. We would love for this name, that means “bold voyager” to return to popularity.
• Lavender-An English plant and color name, Lavender deserves a place next to other nature names like Sage and Lilac.
• Rosemary– Rosemary refers to the herb, but also a standalone name that means “dew of the sea.” Coincidentally, rosemary plants enjoy that climate.
• Marjoram– Marjoram is likely something you have cooked with as it is a popular herb for home cooks. We hope this dusty gem gets shined up again soon.

More Nature Names! Yes, Girls Enjoy A Lot of Botanical Options!

• Posy– Posy is a quintessentially English name that means “a bunch of flowers.”
• Willow– Willow came into use as a given name far after the willow tree, whose name came from the Old English word welig, meaning “willow.”
• Hazel– Hazel is such a magical nature name for girls. It means “a hazelnut tree.” Who does not love hazelnut?
• Magnolia– Magnolia is a French name and surname that means “Magnol’s flower.” A touch ornate but if you love drama, this is the one!
• Keziah– An Old Testament name that means “cassia tree,” Keziah is one to watch. It’s been criminally underused and foresee it gaining steam in the coming years.

Nature Names for Girls – Gems, Minerals & More

• Amethyst– In ancient Greece, Amethyst was a popular name for girls. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for this gem and color name. Let’s change that, parents!
• Gemma– Gemma is a pretty Italian appellation and one of our favorite nature names. Gemma means “precious stone.”
• Amber– A warm and intoxicating name, Amber means “jewel,” in Arabic, the language it originated in.
• Pearl– Pearl comes from Latin and means, well, “pearl.” This classic is set to see a renaissance in the next couple of years. We can’t wait!
• Giada– Jade is a perfectly wonderful name and we urge you to pick it. You might not know, however, that Giada is the Italian form of the name.
  

More Gem Nature Names for Girls

• Diamante– If the name Diamond seems over the top to you, you may or may not like its Greek form, Diamante. We think it gives it even more romance.
• Coralie– Coralie is a French name that is currently more popular in Quebec! This name simply means “coral.”
• Opal– Another one of these gem nature names we wish would come back is Opal. Opal comes from Sanskrit and means “gem.”
• Beryl– Beryl is a Greek name for girls that means “sea-green jewel.” It’s currently hot in the UK.
• Garnet– Garnet offers you a two-for-one in that it’s a dark, red gemstone. However, Garnet means “pomegranate.” The stones were actually names for the fruit!

More Nature Names for Girls – Sparkly Things Continued

• Peridot– Peridot is the deep green birth gemstone for the month of August. The name of the stone comes from Arabic. This would be a distinguished choice!
• Ruby– To us, Ruby will always be a pleasant, spunky, and playful choice. We love it and encourage lovers of red to go for it!
• Citrine– Citrine is the birthstone for babies born in November. You would be wise to consider it as a name for your baby girl born in November.
• Esmeralda– A Spanish name that means “emerald,” Esmeralda is one of the most popular Spanish names for girls in the US today.
• Jewel– Some classic nature names are classic for a reason. Jewel is one such name that has been a top 1000 name for girls in the US for a century!

Animal Nature Names for Girls

• Dove– Love birds? Doves have long been considered a symbol of peace and good fortune. Why not use Dove as name?
• Paloma– Want a more subtle nod to the Dove? Paloma is a Spanish name that means “dove.” It’s one of our favorite Spanish nature names.
• Yara– Yara is a romantic, Arabic name that means “small butterfly.” This name is already red-hot and we imagine it’s only going to get hotter from here on it.
• Mariposa– Another name that means “butterfly,” Mariposa has Spanish origins and sounds so intriguing.
• Lark– A unisex bird name that works well for both boys and girls like Robin, Lark would be a fresh and bold choice today.

Nature Names for Girls – Look to the Sky

• Luna– Every new parent’s favorite, Luna, which is Latin and means “moon” is still good even though it is overused.
• Estelle– A French name that means “star,” Estelle is hot once more!
• Ayla– Ayla is a name with Turkish and Hebrew origins. It can mean “oak tree,” “halo,” and “moonlight.”
• Sky– A name that was virtually unheard of until the late 1990s, Sky is now a big contender and favored for baby girls.
• Aurora– One of the best nature names for girls, Aurora is a classic Latin name that means “dawn” and fills up with hope.

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Nature Names for Girls – Topographic & Landscape Names

• Meadow– We have The Sopranos to thank for this gentle nature name. Meadow is warm and welcoming.
• Marine– A popular name for girls in France, Marine has Latin origins and means “of the sea.”
• Sylvie– Another French option, Sylvie is another form of Sylvia, both names mean “from the woods.”
• Prairie– If you like names with a distinctive Western feel, Prairie would do the trick.
• Neve– Neve is a Latin name that means “snow” and it is widely used among Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese families. We love how cool and casual this one feels.

There you go! We hope you feel inspired by these nature names for girls and boys. We low-key want to take a hike now. We only scratched the surface of nature names as the possibilities are endless! If you are drawn to something of natural beauty, find a name with that meaning! Nature has always inspired names and there seems to be a name for every natural element on earth! Happy baby name hunting and congrats!