French names

In addition to its amazing food, wine, and culture, France deserves bragging rights for its très beau baby names. French names are elegant and sophisticated, and range from traditional to modern. Because they're light on hard consonants and heavy on vowels, French names have a beautiful flow. Take Esme, which means "loved" or "esteemed," and Armande, which means "warrior." If you want to honor a Steven in your family, what about the French version, Etienne? Or instead of William, Guillaume? France takes baby names seriously – in fact, a law in effect until 1993 declared French children could only be named from an approved list of saints' names, names of antiquity, or names found in classical literature. To this day, the French government has the authority to reject chosen names deemed "detrimental to the child's interests." French names like Charlotte, Evelyn, and Mason are very popular in the United States – you don't need to have Gallic heritage to choose a French baby name. Also, people with ties to U.S. cities with strong French influences, like New Orleans, are sometimes drawn to French names to honor where they live. Bien sûr!