French Girl Names That Mean Love
French girl names that mean love take two forms: words that declare it outright, and old names whose root has meant beloved for centuries.
Names126
OriginFrench
MeaningLove
GenderGirl
In French, love simply is amour — and on this list that word becomes a name outright. Amour wears it plainly, while Jadore, French for 'I adore,' and Amoura, a softened modern build on the same word, wear it dressed up.
Just as many names get there through Marie herself, whose own meaning is traditionally read as beloved. Marie, Marion, and Annemarie all carry that meaning directly, alongside Aimee and Esme, two more names that mean beloved on their own. Mariel shares the same ancient root without repeating the word.
What makes these French girl names that mean love different
Some names on this page carry love as their literal meaning; others carry it by association. Belle simply means beautiful, yet its Beauty and the Beast fame ties it to a love story rather than the word love itself. Odette means wealthy or fortunate in its Germanic root, but she is remembered as Tchaikovsky's swan princess, forever bound to one of ballet's great romantic tragedies.
Familiar names, unexpected finds
A few names here need no introduction — Marie and Belle have been fixtures of French naming for generations. Others feel like a discovery: Eliette tucks a biblical oath inside French -ette polish, while Jadore and Amour read like small, bold declarations rather than traditional names, perfect for parents who want the meaning spoken plainly.
Names List
Esme#298 in the U.S.Beloved, esteemed; highly regardedPronounced EZ-may▶Amoura#527 in the U.S.Modern elaboration drawing on French amour meaning 'love' and Arabic amira meaning 'princess' or 'noble oPronounced ah-MOOR-ah▶Marie#618 in the U.S.French form of Mary, from the Hebrew Miryam, whose meaning is debated: possibly from Egyptian mry ('belovPronounced mah-REE▶Odette#883 in the U.S.French feminine diminutive of Oda or Ode, from Old High German Aud or Od meaning wealth, fortune, or prosPronounced oh-DET▶Mariel#893 in the U.S.Dutch and German diminutive of Maria, itself from Hebrew Miryam; the meaning of Mary is debated but tradiPronounced MAIR-ee-el▶Belle#1005 in the U.S.Beautiful; from French belle (beautiful, lovely), from Latin bella (beautiful), feminine of bellusPronounced BEL▶Eliette#1290 in the U.S.My God is an oath; beloved of GodPronounced el-ee-ET▶Aimee#1467 in the U.S.Beloved, beloved one, one who is lovedPronounced AY-mee▶Marion#1867 in the U.S.French diminutive of Marie (Mary), from Hebrew Miryam; meaning debated, commonly 'beloved' or 'bitter'.Pronounced MAR-yon▶Jadore#2409 in the U.S.I adore, I lovePronounced zhah-DOR▶Amour#2429 in the U.S.love, romantic lovePronounced ah-MOOR▶Annemarie#2432 in the U.S.grace and beloved, or grace and star of the seaPronounced an-uh-muh-REE▶Annmarie#2433 in the U.S.grace and belovedPronounced an-muh-REE▶Annamarie#3166 in the U.S.Combination of Anna (from Hebrew 'hannah', meaning 'grace' or 'favour') and Marie (French form of Mary, fPronounced an-ah-mah-REE▶Eymi#3230 in the U.S.Beloved; a phonetic spelling of Amy, from Old French amee and Latin amataPronounced AY-mee▶Donnabelle#3553 in the U.S.Donnabelle joins two ready-made pieces: Donna, the Italian word for lady, and Belle, the French word for Pronounced DON-uh-bel▶Esmee#3706 in the U.S.From French esmé, 'esteemed, beloved', past participle of esmer, 'to esteem/love'; a double-e spelling ofPronounced EZ-may▶Ezmae#3707 in the U.S.Modern phonetic spelling of Esmé — French esmé, 'esteemed, beloved' — with a -mae endingPronounced EZ-may▶Cheryl#3970 in the U.S.20th-century blend of Cherie ('darling') with the -yl of Beryl — 'beloved', mid-century beloved indeedPronounced SHAIR-əl▶Suede#4442 in the U.S.From the word suede — French gants de Suede, 'gloves from Sweden' — the soft leatherPronounced SWAYD▶Ezme#4487 in the U.S.Z-spelling of Esme — from Old French esme, 'esteemed, beloved'; also linked to Persian 'emerald'; routes Pronounced EZ-may▶Ezma#4504 in the U.S.Ezma reads as a spelling of Esma or Esme. Esme comes from the Old French esmer, 'to esteem' or 'to love,'Pronounced EZ-muh▶Amie#4554 in the U.S.French spelling of Amy — from Old French amee, 'beloved' (and amie, 'friend') — from Latin amare, 'to lovPronounced AY-mee▶Cozette#4904 in the U.S.Z-spelling of Cosette — a French pet name, 'little thing/darling' (possibly from Cosima/Nicolette, 'victoPronounced koh-ZET▶Eimmy#5040 in the U.S.Latina phonetic spelling of Amy/Emmy — from Old French Amee, 'beloved' (from Latin amata)Pronounced AY-mee▶Amorette#5148 in the U.S.From Amor ('love', Latin) plus the French diminutive -ette — 'little love; a little sweetheart' (also a sPronounced am-ə-RET▶Mimi#5378 in the U.S.Pet form of Miriam/Maria/Mary — variously 'sea of bitterness', 'beloved', or 'wished-for child'; routes lPronounced MEE-mee▶Sheryl#5402 in the U.S.Sh-spelling of Cheryl — a 20th-century blend of Cherie ('dear, beloved', French) and Beryl, possibly linkPronounced SHAIR-əl▶Renesme#5553 in the U.S.A literary coinage (Twilight) blending Renée ('reborn', French) and Esmé ('esteemed; beloved', French); nPronounced rə-NEZ-may▶Myrle#5686 in the U.S.Myrle is a variant of Myrtle, the fragrant evergreen from Greek myrtos long tied to love and marriage, orPronounced MURL▶Aime#5783 in the U.S.A spelling of Aimée — from French aimée, 'beloved, dearly loved' (from Latin amata); here for girlsPronounced ay-MAY▶Elovie#5832 in the U.S.A modern coinage echoing Elodie ('foreign riches', French) and 'love'; with a soft El- opening; no singlePronounced eh-LOH-vee▶Esmay#6217 in the U.S.A -may spelling of Esme — from French/Latin esmé, 'esteemed; beloved' (the past participle of esmer, 'to Pronounced EZ-may▶Maryon#6230 in the U.S.Maryon is a variant spelling of Marion, a medieval French diminutive of Marie (Mary) formed with the -on Pronounced MAIR-ee-un▶Mylene#6303 in the U.S.The French Mylene — a blend of Marie ('beloved; of the sea') and Helene ('a torch; light'); routes layerePronounced mee-LEN▶Myrl#6605 in the U.S.Myrl is a clipped, phonetic form of Myrtle — from Greek myrtos, the evergreen myrtle plant, an emblem of Pronounced MURL▶Amouri#6628 in the U.S.A modern name echoing the French amour, 'love', and the name Amari; no single fixed root; used for both sPronounced ah-MOOR-ee▶Bonnye#6705 in the U.S.Bonnye is a decorative spelling of Bonnie, the Scots word meaning 'pretty, fine, cheerful.' It goes back Pronounced BON-ee▶Amourah#6932 in the U.S.A modern name echoing the French amour, 'love', with an -ah ending; also echoing Amara and Amira; no singPronounced ah-MOOR-ah▶Cherie#6971 in the U.S.From French cherie, 'dear; darling; beloved' (the feminine of cheri)Pronounced shuh-REE▶Esmarie#7005 in the U.S.A blend of Esme ('esteemed; beloved') and Marie (a form of Mary, variously 'beloved; star of the sea; bitPronounced EZ-muh-ree▶Philomene#7073 in the U.S.Philomene is the French and German form of Philomena, built from Greek philos, 'loving' or 'friend,' and Pronounced FIL-uh-meen▶Sherry#7184 in the U.S.A spelling of Sherry/Cherie — from French cherie, 'dear; darling; beloved'; also echoing the wine sherry;Pronounced SHAIR-ee▶Marylene#7202 in the U.S.Marylene is a compound of Mary with the ending -lene, closely tied to Marlene (itself a contraction of MaPronounced MAIR-uh-leen▶Esmari#7329 in the U.S.A blend of Esme — from French esme, 'esteemed; beloved' — and Mari (a form of Mary); common in Afrikaans Pronounced ES-mah-ree▶Sherrian#7362 in the U.S.Sherrian reads as a mid-century coinage joining Sherri or Sherry with an -an or -ann ending. Sherry itselPronounced SHER-ee-uhn▶Esmie#7687 in the U.S.A pet form of Esme — from Old French esme, 'esteemed; loved'; also linked to Esmeralda ('an emerald'); roPronounced EZ-mee▶Jolina#7740 in the U.S.An elaboration of Jolie/Jolene — from French joli, 'pretty; lovely; cheerful'; also a feminine diminutivePronounced joh-LEE-nah▶Darlette#8040 in the U.S.A modern name, joining Darla/darling ('dear; beloved', from Old English deorling) with the French diminutPronounced dar-LET▶Amii#8259 in the U.S.Amii is a decorative double-i spelling of Amy, which comes from the Old French amee (from Latin amata), 'Pronounced AY-mee▶Miamour#8758 in the U.S.A modern compound of Mia ('mine', Italian; also a Mary form) and amour ('love', French), read as 'my lovePronounced MEE-ah-moor▶Ahmi#8995 in the U.S.Ahmi is best read as a modern respelling of Amy, from the Old French Amee, 'beloved,' with an added h forPronounced AH-mee▶Cheril#8996 in the U.S.Cheril is a variant spelling of Cheryl, a twentieth-century English name that elaborates Cherie or CherryPronounced SHER-il▶Esmi#9087 in the U.S.A spelling/short of Esme — from the Old French esme, 'esteemed; beloved' (from the Latin aestimatus)Pronounced EZ-mee▶Sherri#9432 in the U.S.Variously from the French cherie, 'dear; darling; beloved', and a short form of Sharon ('a plain; a rose Pronounced SHEHR-ee▶Sheri#9511 in the U.S.A spelling of Sherry, itself linked to the French cherie, 'dear; darling; beloved' (and to the wine name)Pronounced SHER-ee▶Emie#9729 in the U.S.A form, variously of Amie/Amy ('beloved', French) and Emmy/Emma ('whole; industrious', Germanic); routes Pronounced EE-mee▶Esmy#9742 in the U.S.A form of Esme — from the French/Latin, past participle of 'to esteem/love', hence 'esteemed; beloved'Pronounced EZ-mee▶Ezmay#9749 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Esme/Esmae — from the French/Latin, past participle of 'to esteem/love', hence 'esPronounced EZ-may▶Marinette#9965 in the U.S.A French diminutive of Marie/Marina — from Mary ('of the sea; beloved') / the Latin marinus ('of the sea'Pronounced mah-ree-NET▶Amoure#10299 in the U.S.A modern given name, a respelling of the French amour, 'love'; used as a heartfelt word-name; routes uncePronounced ah-MOOR▶Cheri#10414 in the U.S.From the French cherie, 'dear; darling; beloved' (from cher, 'dear'); a tender term-of-endearment namePronounced shuh-REE▶Cherene#10698 in the U.S.Cherene reads as a mid-century coinage close to Cherie and Cheryl, built from the French cher, 'dear' or Pronounced shuh-REEN▶Marionna#10844 in the U.S.A modern elaboration of Marion (a French diminutive of Marie/Mary, 'beloved; star of the sea') with a floPronounced mar-ee-ON-uh▶Chere#10934 in the U.S.Chere comes from French chere/cher, 'dear, beloved', the same root behind Cherie and the stage name Cher;Pronounced SHAIR▶Aimy#11094 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Amy, from the Old French Amee, 'beloved' (Latin amatus, 'loved'). The -im- spellingPronounced AY-mee▶Jamilette#11507 in the U.S.Jamilette joins Jamila, an Arabic name meaning 'beautiful,' to the French diminutive -ette, giving a 'litPronounced jah-mee-LET▶Joli#11642 in the U.S.Joli is a trimmed spelling of the French jolie, meaning 'pretty' or 'lovely'. Used as a given name, it tuPronounced joh-LEE▶Lizmarie#11683 in the U.S.A combo name pairing Liz (short for Elizabeth, 'God is my oath') with Marie (a French form of Mary, 'beloPronounced liz-mah-REE▶Marilou#11730 in the U.S.A blended name joining Maria/Mary ('bitter; beloved; of the sea') with Lou, short for Louise ('renowned wPronounced MAH-ree-loo▶Almee#11833 in the U.S.Almee is best read as a variant spelling of Aimee, the French name meaning 'beloved,' from the verb aimerPronounced AY-mee▶Cherlynn#12055 in the U.S.Cherlynn combines Cher, from the French cher/chere meaning 'dear, beloved,' with the -lynn ending drawn fPronounced SHER-lin▶Adoree#12147 in the U.S.A name drawn from 'adore/adored' (French adorer, 'to love deeply; to worship'), read as 'beloved; adored Pronounced ad-uh-REE▶Cherrish#12388 in the U.S.A spelling of Cherish, from the word cherish ('to hold dear; treasure'), via Old French cherir. A warm viPronounced CHAIR-ish▶Scherrie#12404 in the U.S.Scherrie is a fancy spelling of Sherry or Cherie, names drawn from the French 'cherie', dear or beloved, Pronounced SHER-ee▶Carine#12454 in the U.S.Carine is a French and Scandinavian form of Carina or Karin; Carina comes from the Latin/Italian cara, 'dPronounced kah-REEN▶Margurite#12473 in the U.S.Margurite is a common variant spelling of Marguerite, the French form of Margaret, from the Greek margariPronounced MAR-guh-reet▶Liliette#12862 in the U.S.Liliette is a French-flavored diminutive of Lily, from the Latin lilium ('lily; purity'), with the affectPronounced lil-ee-ET▶Malou#12921 in the U.S.A European contraction of Maria-Louise (Marie-Louise), joining Maria ('beloved' or 'of the sea,' by tradiPronounced mah-LOO▶Mariette#12968 in the U.S.Mariette is a French diminutive of Marie, the French form of Mary, from the Hebrew Miriam. Mary's meaningPronounced ma-ree-ET▶Maree#12980 in the U.S.Maree spells Marie the way it sounds, and Marie is the French form of Mary, itself from the Hebrew MiriamPronounced muh-REE▶Maribell#13083 in the U.S.Maribell is a variant of Maribel, blending Mary with the French belle, 'beautiful' — 'beautiful Mary'; soPronounced MAIR-ih-bel▶Sherrie#13229 in the U.S.Sherrie is a spelling of Sherry, usually traced to the French cherie, 'darling; beloved' (and sometimes tPronounced SHEH-ree▶Jetaime#13318 in the U.S.Jetaime is a coined name drawn directly from the French phrase je t'aime, 'I love you.' It is an affectioPronounced zhuh-TEM▶Amee#13542 in the U.S.Amee is a spelling of Amy, from Old French amee ('beloved'), the past participle of amer, 'to love' — ultPronounced AY-mee▶Amouraa#13574 in the U.S.A modern coinage built directly on the French word amour, 'love,' with a decorative doubled-a ending. It Pronounced ah-MOOR-ah▶Bebe#13683 in the U.S.Bebe began as an affectionate word name and pet form — from the French bebe, 'baby' — and as a nickname fPronounced BEE-bee▶Cher#13792 in the U.S.From the French cher/chere, 'dear; beloved; precious' — also a short form of Cherie or Cheryl. It is insePronounced SHAIR▶Emmaree#13933 in the U.S.A modern compound joining Emma, from the Germanic element ermen ('whole, universal'), with Marie, the FrePronounced EM-uh-ree▶Chante#13952 in the U.S.From the French chante, 'sung; (she) sings' (from chanter, 'to sing'). A lyrical, musical name long lovedPronounced shahn-TAY▶Evelette#13964 in the U.S.A modern diminutive built from Eve or Evelyn with the French suffix -ette, which forms small or affectionPronounced ev-uh-LET▶Ezmie#13971 in the U.S.A modern spelling of Esme, from Old French esme, 'esteemed; beloved' (past participle of esmer, 'to esteePronounced EZ-mee▶Sherese#13974 in the U.S.Sherese varies Cherise/Charisse, blending French 'cherie' (dear, beloved) with the Greek Charis, 'grace';Pronounced shuh-REES▶Amye#13976 in the U.S.Amye is an antique spelling of Amy, which comes through the Old French 'amee', past participle of 'amer',Pronounced AY-mee▶Jadora#14131 in the U.S.Jadora is a contemporary coinage. Most readings hear either the French j'adore, 'I adore', or the -dora fPronounced juh-DOR-uh▶Jaymarie#14177 in the U.S.Jaymarie is a modern American compound joining Jay (or Jae) with Marie, the French form of Mary — a name Pronounced jay-muh-REE▶Kamour#14278 in the U.S.A modern coinage that most naturally reads as the Ka- prefix joined to the French amour, 'love.' The combPronounced kuh-MOOR▶Marrianne#14375 in the U.S.Marrianne is a doubled-r spelling of Marianne, joining Marie and Anne. Mary is read as beloved or bitter,Pronounced mair-ee-AN▶Lovette#14448 in the U.S.Lovette is a feminine-styled form of the surname Lovett, from the Old French louvet, a little wolf or wolPronounced loh-VET▶Lovett#14492 in the U.S.From the English surname Lovett, brought over after the Norman conquest from Old French louvet, 'little wPronounced luh-VET▶Manon#14567 in the U.S.Manon is the French diminutive of Marie, from the Hebrew Miriam — a name whose meaning has never been setPronounced mah-NOHN▶Cheray#14602 in the U.S.Cheray belongs to the Cherie and Cheree family, names built on the French cher, 'dear' or 'beloved,' and Pronounced shuh-RAY▶Aimie#14636 in the U.S.Aimie is a variant of Amy, whose source is the Old French 'aimee' (from Latin 'amata'), meaning 'beloved'Pronounced AY-mee▶Marrie#14660 in the U.S.Marrie is a doubled-r respelling of Marie, the French form of Mary, which goes back to the Hebrew Miriam.Pronounced MAR-ee▶Orabelle#14854 in the U.S.Orabelle joins Ora, a name linked to the Latin 'aurum' (gold) or 'orare' (to pray), with the French 'bellPronounced OR-uh-bell▶Solaire#14985 in the U.S.From the French solaire, 'solar; of the sun.' It is also the name of Solaire of Astora, a beloved knight Pronounced soh-LAIR▶Jamy#15276 in the U.S.Jamy is a spelling of Jamie, the pet form of James (from Hebrew Jacob, 'supplanter, holder of the heel'),Pronounced JAY-mee▶Amiee#15386 in the U.S.Amiee is a transposed spelling of Aimee — French for 'beloved,' from aimer, 'to love' — which is also thePronounced AY-mee▶Ayme#15579 in the U.S.Ayme is a phonetic spelling of Amy/Aimee, from Old French 'aimee' (Latin 'amata'), 'beloved'; the Ay- opePronounced AY-mee▶Aymee#15580 in the U.S.A spelling of Aimee (Amy), from the French aimee, 'beloved' (from Latin amatus, 'loved'). A sweet, classiPronounced AY-mee▶Cinderella#15731 in the U.S.Cinderella entered use straight from the fairy tale, whose heroine's name is an English rendering of FrenPronounced sin-duh-REL-uh▶Demarie#15832 in the U.S.Demarie reads as a modern coinage joining the fashionable De- prefix with Marie (French form of Mary, tiePronounced dem-uh-REE▶Esmery#15917 in the U.S.An elaboration of Esme (Old French esmé, 'esteemed; loved'), here in an -ery spelling. Warm and vintage-mPronounced ES-mur-ee▶Ezmarie#15943 in the U.S.A modern compound joining Esme - from Old French esme, 'esteemed, beloved' - with Marie, the French form Pronounced EZ-muh-ree▶Esmerie#15976 in the U.S.An elaboration of Esme (Old French esmé, 'esteemed; loved'), with a soft -erie ending. Warm and vintage-mPronounced ES-muh-ree▶Esmarae#16043 in the U.S.A compound of Esme (French, 'esteemed; beloved') and Rae (a short form of Rachel, 'ewe,' also read as a fPronounced EZ-muh-ray▶Sherece#16221 in the U.S.Sherece is a phonetic variant of Cherise or Charisse. Cherise draws on the French cherie, 'dear' or 'beloPronounced shuh-REES▶Jasmarie#16251 in the U.S.A joined name: Jasmine (the fragrant flower, from Persian yasamin) plus Marie (a French form of Mary, 'bePronounced jaz-muh-REE▶Ezmi#16321 in the U.S.A modern short spelling echoing Esme, from Old French esme ('esteemed, beloved'). The Ezmi spelling is coPronounced EZ-mee▶Joliette#16340 in the U.S.A French-styled diminutive echoing jolie ('pretty; lovely') with the -ette ending; it also recalls the naPronounced joh-lee-ET▶Davette#16390 in the U.S.Davette turns David into a girl's name by adding the diminutive -ette, in the pattern of Paulette and NanPronounced duh-VET▶Laylamarie#16654 in the U.S.A modern compound name joining Layla (Arabic, 'night') with Marie (the French form of Mary, variously reaPronounced LAY-luh-muh-ree▶Gredmarie#17150 in the U.S.Gredmarie is a very rare compound in the Puerto Rican style of -marie names (Ludmarie, Jomarie); the secoPronounced gred-muh-REE▶Marybel#17279 in the U.S.Marybel joins Mary, from Hebrew Miriam ('beloved', 'star of the sea' or 'bitter'), to belle, French for 'Pronounced MAIR-ee-bel▶Kimmarie#18293 in the U.S.Kimmarie combines Kim, the short form of Kimberly, with Marie, the French form of Mary from the Hebrew MiPronounced kim-muh-REE▶Sherise#20114 in the U.S.Sherise is a spelling of Cherise, from French chérie, 'dear one, beloved', with a play on the cherry; thePronounced shuh-REES▶
More French Meaning Guides
Girl Names That Mean FreedomBoy Names That Mean RoyaltyGirl Names That Mean GentlenessBoy Names That Mean GodGirl Names That Mean FlowerBoy Names That Mean WarriorGirl Names That Mean WarriorGirl Names That Mean GraceGirl Names That Mean BeautyGirl Names That Mean the SeaGirl Names That Mean JewelGirl Names That Mean Snow
Frequently Asked
What is the most literal way to name a French girl love?
The most direct route is to use the French word for love itself. Amour means love, and Jadore translates to I adore — both wear their meaning without any translation needed.
Is Marie related to the other Marie names on this list?
Yes. Marion and Annemarie both carry Marie's own meaning of beloved, while Mariel shares her deeper root as a variant of Maria rather than repeating the word beloved outright.
Why does Odette appear on a love-themed list if it means fortunate?
Odette's dictionary meaning is wealthy or fortunate, but she's best known as the swan princess of Swan Lake — a role that has made her name inseparable from one of the great tragic love stories.