Margot, Esme, And Other French Baby Girl Names Making A Comeback

France is known for its impeccable fashion, rich cultural history, and fabulous food. Americans follow French fashion influencers to inspire their wardrobes and find ways to rock an effortlessly chic French bob, so it's no surprise that many parents turn to this charming country when naming their babies. There are many vintage French baby girl names rising in popularity in 2026 — likely due to their soft, feminine sounds, deeper meanings, and timelessness.

Some of the baby girl names making a comeback appear in pop culture and modern literature, like Margot, whereas others simply sound old-fashioned and cute. This is important for some modern parents, as they are choosing vintage names for their babies that can feel fresh again. According to Nameberry, parents are looking to French baby names because many fit two popular trends: short, simple names, and names found on the family tree.

You can't go wrong with classic French baby names like Eloise or Madeline. But if you want something that feels new and full of history at the same time, consider giving your baby one of these rising French baby girl names instead.

Margot is a beautiful French name with a pretty meaning: pearl. This name is a shortened version of Marguerite and is most famous thanks to "Barbie" actor Margot Robbie. The short and sweet baby name feels sophisticated and gives both vintage and fresh vibes at the same time. Besides, you can use "Maggie," another cute name, as a nickname inspired by it.

The name Margot rose in popularity for baby girls in the 2020s, ranking as the 102^nd most popular in 2025. Margot is often found in pop culture as well, including Margot in the "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" series by Jenny Han (and played by Janel Parrish in the Netflix series), and Margo (without the "t") in "Despicable Me," voiced by Miranda Cosgrove. More recently, Margo was the main character in the 2026 Apple TV series, "Margo's Got Money Troubles," based on the book by Rufi Thorpe and played by Elle Fanning.

Esme is another beautiful name rising in popularity, which is similar to other two-syllable names that end in "e," like Chloe, Sophie, and Lucie. It comes from the Old French verb "esmer." This word means "to esteem" or "to love" — and doesn't that just make for the cutest name for your little baby love?! Its meaning already carries a lot of affection for your baby.

Esme has risen in popularity and became the 298^th most popular name in the U.S. in 2025. WWE star Logan Paul and Nina Agdal named their baby Esmé in 2024. "Twilight" fans will also associate the name with the Cullens' nurturing matriarch in the series written by Stephanie Meyer. These book-inspired names are bringing back classic French names, and it's easy to see why.  Names like Esme are beautiful and meaningful. It's a big plus that they remind us of our favorite characters.

There are many flower-inspired baby names out there, including Violet, Rose, Iris, Daisy, and Lily,  among others. These are all gorgeous, but if you want your little one to stand out in the garden of baby girl names, choose Fleur. This delicate French name literally means "flower" and is such a pretty alternative. You may recognize Fleur from J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," as the French witch Fleur Delacour (played by Clémence Poésy in the film) competed in the Triwizard Tournament. 

This name is ranked as the 53rd most popular option in the Netherlands, but it hasn't been as popular in the U.S., which is a shame. It isn't even in the top 1000 popular baby girl names. This gives you the perfect opportunity to choose a moniker that's popular in other countries, but will still be rare to find again in your child's future kindergarten class. Elegant and unique!

Clementine is the feminine version of Clement, and the name of those sweet little oranges, of course. This French name means "mild" and "merciful," a perfect description for your precious baby girl. The name has skyrocketed in popularity in the 2000s, rising to the 456^th most popular position in 2025 after only re-entering the top 1000 in 2014 following a 61-year hiatus.

Your little Clementine will share her name with Ethan Hawke and wife Ryan Shawhughes-Hawke's daughter, as well as "Avengers" star Karen Gillan and husband Nick Kocher's daughter. The name is also the main character in "The Walking Dead" video game, and the muse of the popular Western folk ballad, "Oh My Darling, Clementine." Whether you call her Clemmy, Clem-Clem, or her full name, Clementine is such an elegant and adorable baby girl name. You'll love it for your little cutie.