There’s something undeniably powerful about a name that takes its time. While the trend of recent years has long favored short first names – Léa, Lou, Jade, Inès – a new wave seems to be slowly rising, driven by the desire for singularity, depth, a first name that tells a story. These long and majestic first names, which we thought were reserved for 19th century novels or dusty family trees, are making a comeback in birth records. And for good reason: they combine everything you could dream of for your little girl – a rich sound, a strong etymology, illustrious characters and originality guaranteed in the playground.
THE Guide to girl names 2026 by Julie Milbin, which lists nearly 5,000 first names with their etymology, their frequency of attribution and the famous people who wore them, offers a fascinating dive into this onomastic heritage to be rediscovered. Here is our selection of the most beautiful of them.
Éléonore, Séraphine, Léopoldine… These feminine names from another era which are making a royal comeback
1. Éléonore
Rare but growing, Éléonore comes from the Greek eleos“compassion”. It is the first name of one of the most fascinating figures of the Middle Ages: Éléonore d’Aquitaine (1122-1204), queen of France then of England, patron, warrior and woman of absolutely modern freedom. Unpredictable and endowed with irresistible charm according to the guide, Éléonore is a first name that is not forgotten. Average age of its wearers: only 23 years old, proof that it is already attracting younger generations.
2. Seraphine
From Hebrew saraph“burning”, Séraphine carries within herself something ardent and absolute. The guide describes her as imaginative, passionate, driven by a quest for the absolute. His famous character? Séraphine de Senlis, self-taught painter from the beginning of the 20th century, endearing figure of French naive art, whose life inspired a César-winning film. A rare first name, in slight progression, which instantly falls in love.
3. Leopoldine
From Germanic liut (“the people”) and bald
(“bold”), Léopoldine is the feminine form of Léopold. Her famous character is moving: Léopoldine Hugo, Victor Hugo’s beloved daughter, drowned at the age of 19, to whom the poet dedicated some of his most beautiful verses (“Tomorrow, at dawn…”). To bear this first name is to carry a literary and human story of rare depth. Increasing, average age: 48 years old — but young parents are starting to rediscover it.
4. Madeleine
From the village of Magdala, in Galilee, Madeleine is one of the most meaningful first names in the entire Christian tradition. Mary Magdalene, the first to bear witness to the Resurrection according to the Gospels, symbolizes redemption and courage. Mysterious, passionate and charismatic according to the guide, Madeleine also inspired remarkable women of letters, such as Madeleine de Scudéry, the 17th century author behind the famous “Carte de Tendre”. A timeless classic, widespread but always elegant.
5. Gwendoline
Coming straight from Irish Celtic, Gwendoline literally means “white circle” — it was the name of the ancient deity of the moon. The guide recalls that it was one of the most popular Irish first names, and that in Arthurian legend, King Arthur himself fell in love with a fairy named Gwendoline. Intelligent, intuitive, with character and heart: a name for a little girl who won’t be afraid.
6. Hortense
From Latin hortus“the garden”, Hortense has an unexpected botanical anecdote: when the naturalist Philippe Commerson discovered in 1771 the flower that we know today under the name hydrangea, he named it in homage to his astronomer friend, who was called Hortense in private. Among its illustrious bearers: Hortense de Beauharnais, Queen of Holland and mother of Napoleon III. Courageous, passionate, discreet and enthusiastic according to the guide: the hydrangea has lived up to its name.
7. Berenice
From Greek phere nike“bearer of victory”, Bérénice is a first name that is both ancient and terribly current. The one who seduced the Emperor Titus inspired one of Racine’s greatest tragedies. Later, Louis Aragon made her the heroine ofAuréliena novel whose first sentence has passed down to posterity. Today, actress Bérénice Bejo has given it a contemporary and glamorous look. Rare, stable, average age of 18: it’s a young first name, and it shows.
8. Mélisande
From Germanic amalswint“the energetic noblewoman”, Mélisande is a precious rarity. Her reference character is the heroine of Maeterlinck’s symbolist drama, Pelléas and Mélisandewhich Claude Debussy immortalized in his opera. Opinionated, independent, loyal and strong-willed — a name for a little girl who will have her own inner music.
9. Alexandrine
Alexandra’s elegant big sister, Alexandrine comes from the Greek
alexin (“defend”) and andros (“man”) — it means “who protects humanity”. Skillful, ambitious, courageous, endowed with an undeniable analytical mind according to the guide: Alexandrine does not do things by halves. Long worn by flamboyant figures – including Alexandrine Le Normant d’Étiolles, daughter of the Marquise de Pompadour – it is experiencing a resurgence thanks to the fashion for retro first names.
10. Celestine
From Latin caelestis“of celestial origin, coming from the sky”, Célestine is gentle, calm, passionate and demanding. She is also the title character of a seminal Spanish novel from 1499 and, more recently, the heroine of the children’s series Ernest and Celestineadapted into a César-winning animated film. A rare first name, in progress, which reconciles universal literature and childhood.