French names have long been celebrated for their elegance, charm, and rich cultural heritage. French girl names, in particular, are often associated with a sense of sophistication and timeless beauty.
They carry a musical quality and are frequently chosen for their melodic sound and meaningful origins. From the royal courts of historical France to modern-day Parisian trends, these names have been influenced by literature, art, and significant historical figures, reflecting the depth of French culture.
50+ French Girl Names Starting With C
Related read:
- French Girl Names And Their Meanings
- French Girl Names Starting With A
- French Girl Names Starting With B
- French Girl Names Starting With D
- French Girl Names Starting With E
- French Girl Names Starting With F
Among the wide array of French girl names, those starting with the letter “C” hold a special place. Names such as Camille, Chloé, and Claire are not only classic but also remain perennially popular due to their elegant simplicity and lyrical sound.
Here is a list of French girl names starting with the letter “C,” along with their meanings
List of French Girl Names Starting with C: Meanings, Background, and Pronunciation
Camille
Meaning: “Young ceremonial attendant.”
Background: Originally a Roman family name, Camille has been used in France since the 17th century.
Pronunciation: kah-MEE
Claire
Meaning: “Clear, bright.”
Background: Derived from the Latin name Clara, it has been popular in France since the Middle Ages.
Pronunciation: KLEHR
Chloé
Meaning: “Blooming, fertility.”
Background: From Greek mythology, Chloé was an epithet for the goddess Demeter. It became popular in France in the 1990s.
Pronunciation: klo-AY
Céline
Meaning: “Heavenly.”
Background: Derived from the Latin name Caelina, it has been popular in France since the 19th century.
Pronunciation: say-LEEN
Clarisse
Meaning: “Bright, famous.”
Background: A variant of Clara, Clarisse gained popularity due to literature and films.
Pronunciation: kla-REES
Colette
Meaning: “Victory of the people.”
Background: A diminutive of Nicole, made famous by the French writer Colette.
Pronunciation: koh-LET
Corinne
Meaning: “Maiden.”
Background: Derived from the Greek name Korinna, it was popularized in France by the poet Ovid.
Pronunciation: koh-REEN
Clémence
Meaning: “Mercy, clemency.”
Meaning: “Mercy, clemency.”
Background: From the Latin Clemens, it has been used in France since the Middle Ages.
Pronunciation: klay-MAHNS
Carole
Meaning: “Free woman.”
Background: A feminine form of Charles, it became popular in France in the mid-20th century.
Pronunciation: kah-ROHL
Cécile
Meaning: “Blind.”
Background: Derived from the Roman family name Caecilius, it has been popular in France since the Middle Ages.
Pronunciation: say-SEEL
Claudine
Meaning: “Lame.”
Background: A diminutive of Claude, it gained popularity through novels by Colette.
Pronunciation: klo-DEEN
Christine
Meaning: “Follower of Christ.”
Background: Derived from Christian, it became widely used in France after the Protestant Reformation.
Pronunciation: krees-TEEN
Charlène
Meaning: “Free woman.”
Background: A variant of Charlotte, it gained popularity in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: shar-LEHN
Capucine
Meaning: “Nasturtium (a type of flower).”
Background: Originally a term for the Capuchin order of monks, it became a fashionable name in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: kah-poo-SEEN
Carmen
Meaning: “Song, poem.”
Background: Popularized by the opera “Carmen” by Bizet, it has been a beloved name in France since the 19th century.
Pronunciation: KAR-mehn
Caroline
Meaning: “Free woman.”
Background: A feminine form of Charles, it has been a classic name in France for centuries.
Pronunciation: kah-roh-LEEN
Catherine
Meaning: “Pure.”
Background: From the Greek name Aikaterine, it has been a popular name in France since the early Christian period.
Pronunciation: kah-tuh-REEN
Cassandra
Meaning: “Shining upon men.”
Background: From Greek mythology, where Cassandra was a prophetess. It became popular in France in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: kah-SAHN-drah
Charlotte
Meaning: “Free woman.”
Background: A diminutive of Charles, it has been popular in France since the 17th century.
Pronunciation: shar-LOT
Cynthia
Meaning: “Of Cynthus.”
Background: An epithet for the Greek moon goddess Artemis, it became popular in France in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: SEEN-tee-ah
Célestine
Meaning: “Heavenly.”
Background: Derived from the Latin word “caelestis,” it was popular in the 19th century.
Pronunciation: say-les-TEEN
Coline
Meaning: “Victory of the people.”
Background: A diminutive of Nicole, it has been used in France since the Middle Ages.
Pronunciation: koh-LEEN
Christelle
Meaning: “Follower of Christ.”
Background: A modern blend of Christine and Estelle, popular in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: kris-TEL
Clotilde
Meaning: “Famous battle.”
Background: From the Germanic name Chlotilde, it was the name of a 6th-century saint.
Pronunciation: klo-TEELD
Chantal
Meaning: “Stony place.”
Background: From the French place name Saint-Chantal, it became popular as a given name in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: shahn-TAL
Charline
Meaning: “Free woman.”
Background: A diminutive of Charlotte, it gained popularity in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: shar-LEEN
Constance
Meaning: “Steadfast, constant.”
Background: From the Latin name Constantia, it has been used in France since the Middle Ages.
Pronunciation: kohn-STAHNS
Cyrielle|
Meaning: “Lordly.”
Background: A feminine form of Cyril, it has been used in France since the 19th century.
Pronunciation: see-ree-EL
Carine
Meaning: “Beloved.”
Background: Derived from the Latin name Carina, it became popular in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: kah-REEN
Candice
Meaning: “Clarity, whiteness.”
Background: Possibly derived from the Latin word “candidus,” meaning “white,” it became popular in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: kahn-DEES
Cindy
Meaning: “From Mount Kynthos.”
Background: A diminutive of Cynthia, it gained popularity in France in the late 20th century.
Pronunciation: SEEN-dee
Carmela
Meaning: “Garden.”
Background: A variant of Carmel, it has been used in France since the 19th century.
Pronunciation: kar-MEH-lah
Coralie
Meaning: “Coral.”
Background: Derived from the Greek word for coral, it became popular in France in the 19th century.
Pronunciation: koh-rah-LEE
Christa
Meaning: “Follower of Christ.”
Background: A short form of Christina, it became popular in France in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: kris-TAH
Cerise
Meaning: “Cherry.”
Background: Derived from the French word for cherry, it became a unique given name in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: seh-REEZ
Célia
Meaning: “Heavenly.”
Background: A diminutive of Céleste, it has been popular in France since the 19th century.
Pronunciation: SAY-lee-ah
Clémentine
Meaning: “Merciful, gentle.”
Background: Derived from the Latin name Clement, it has been used in France since the 19th century.
Pronunciation: klay-mahn-TEEN
Cassandre
Meaning: “Shining upon men.”
Background: The French form of Cassandra, it has been used in France since the 18th century.
Pronunciation: kah-SAHN-druh
Chrystelle
Meaning: “Follower of Christ.”
Background: A modern blend of Christine and Estelle, popular in the late 20th century.
Pronunciation: kris-TEL
Cosette
Meaning: “Little thing.”
Background: Made famous by Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables,” it has a charming literary association.
Pronunciation: koh-ZET
Cléa
Meaning: “Glory.”
Background: A modern French name, possibly derived from Cleopatra or Cleo.
Pronunciation: KLAY-ah
Cyrille
Meaning: “Lordly.”
Background: A feminine form of Cyril, it has been used in France since the 19th century.
Pronunciation: see-REEL
Charlize
Meaning: “Free woman.”
Background: A modern variation of Charlotte, popularized by actress Charlize Theron.
Pronunciation: shar-LEEZ
Carmella
Meaning: “Garden.”
Background: A variant of Carmel, it has been used in France since the 19th century.
Pronunciation: kar-MEH-lah
Carina
Meaning: “Beloved.”
Background: Derived from the Latin name Carina, it became popular in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: kah-REE-nah
Catherine
Meaning: “Pure.”
Background: From the Greek name Aikaterine, it has been a popular name in France since the early Christian period.
Pronunciation: kah-tuh-REEN
Céleste
Meaning: “Heavenly.”
Background: From the Latin “caelestis,” meaning “heavenly,” it has been a classic name in France for centuries.
Pronunciation: say-LEST
Chantal
Meaning: “Stony place.”
Background: From the French place name Saint-Chantal, it became popular as a given name in the 20th century.
Pronunciation: shahn-TAL
Cyrine“
Meaning: “Lordly.”
Background: A modern French name, possibly derived from Cyrille.
Pronunciation: see-REEN
Candide
Meaning: “White, pure.”
Background: From the Latin “candidus,” meaning “white,” it has literary associations with Voltaire’s “Candide.”
Pronunciation: kahn-DEED
These names reflect a beautiful blend of tradition, modernity, and unique cultural heritage, making them popular among parents seeking names embodying French elegance and charm.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.