There's a reason Paris has captured our imagination for generations: The capital of France is inherently romantic and one of the most stunningly beautiful cities in the world. Everything about it, from enormous, internationally famous monuments like the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower down to its iconic subway entrances — the Art Nouveau signs marking the Paris MĂ©tro, which are unique in the world — are perfect and speak to this city and this city alone.Â
And while we love any city with a river running through it, few are as storied as the Seine, along which lovers and friends have spent generations strolling the quays by the river in the light of the streetlamps and in the shadow of majestic feats of architecture like the Notre-Dame Cathedral, perhaps stopping to enjoy a picnic by the water.
The city is made for walking, and for enjoying its rich cultural history just by strolling through it. The streets are beautiful, and as Paris is a cultural center of art and literature, it's easy to walk to world-renowned museums, the homes of famous artists past and present, and even visit their graves in The PĂšre Lachaise cemetery. The city is also a hub of the fashion industry, which has left its mark on both the way the fashionable dress, and means that popping into a small, unknown atelier in Paris can leave anyone walking away looking as sleek and sophisticated as the French themselves.Â
For parents considering naming their baby after the City of Lights because they love the romance inherent to it, also consider names inspired by romantic movies. Other parents may be inspired by journeys they've taken (or want to take). And for new parents who want that inherent cool factor, musical inspiration may be what works.Â
But for those who want Paris to be the main inspiration, we've got some ideas.
VICTOR
Like many of the most famous streets in the City of Lights, the Avenue Victor Hugo is famous for its stunning architecture. It is named after Victor Hugo, the French poet, novelist, and dramatist who was the author of Les Misérables.
COCO
Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel is arguably the most iconic French taste-maker of all time. The innovator of the little black dress, Chanel is inextricably tied to the city of Paris, where she first opened her shop in 1910.
ALEXANDRE
Pont Alexandre is a Beaux-Arts style deck arch bridge crossing the Seine in Paris, considered one of the most beautiful and ornate bridges in the city. It is a central architectural element of the city, and has been featured in many films. Alexandre is a great name for a boy.
JULES
The French playwright, novelist, and poet Jules Verne was the author of Around The World In 80 Days — and also a fixture of Paris society in his youth. He is generally considered a founder of the science fiction genre.
LOUVRE
The world's largest art museum, the Louvre sits on the right bank of the Seine. Housed in the historic Louvre Palace, the building was initially a fortress dating from the 12th century. While nontraditional, we think it would be a great name for a baby girl.
WILDE
The great Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde was one of the wittiest people to have ever lived, and also spent quite a lot of time in Paris, where he wrote Salome. He was also buried in Paris, where visitors frequent his tomb and for many years left lipstick prints. Oscar is also a wonderful name, but we love Wilde for either a boy or a girl.
PARIS
Perhaps a bit on the nose, but it's an excellent name, after all. The capital of France, the name Paris derives from a Celtic tribe who colonized the city in about 250 BC. Paris is also a popular name for both boys and girls.
RENE
François Auguste RenĂ© Rodin, known as August Rodin, was a native Parisian, and is considered a father of modern sculpture — perhaps now one of the most famous sculptors of all time. Today, there is a Rodin Museum in Paris, where the sculptor's works are displayed.
JEAN-LUC
Jean-Luc Godard is a French film director who is perhaps the most influential director of the French new wave cinema of the 1960s and 70s, known for critical films, including the brilliant love letter to Paris that is Breathless.
RENOIR
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a leading painter of the French Impressionist movement, a contemporary of Monet and Sisley. He grew up and spent much of his youth in Paris, where much of his work still resides. We think the name Renoir would be lovely on either a baby boy or girl.
MARGUERITE
French writer Marguerite Donnadieu, known professionally as Marguerite Duras, was born in French Indochina, but is associated with Paris, where she died. She was internationally renowned for her screenplays, including Hiroshima Mon Amour.
ZOLA
Ămile Ădouard Charles Antoine Zola, known professionally as Ămile Zola, was a French author who was born and died in Paris at the turn of the 19th century. He was perhaps the most famous practitioner of naturalist literature, and was known for his optimism. We think "Zola" would be a great name for either a girl or a boy.
COLETTE
Colette was the pen name of Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, a Parisian novelist best known for her novel Gigi (which would make a great baby name in its own right). She is now considered among the great writers of her time.
ANTOINE
Born Ămile Antoine Bordelle, the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle was a student of Rodin's. While less famous than his teacher, he created several monumental works that make Paris what it is today, including the friezes at the ThĂ©Ăątre des Champs-ElysĂ©es.
CHRISTIAN
Christian Dior was a famous 20th-century French fashion designer and contemporary of Coco Chanel's — although the two were not precisely friends. We love his gowns, and think his name would be beautiful on a baby boy.
CHLOE
Chloé is a French fashion house headquartered in Paris, founded in 1952 by Gaby Aghion and known for beginning the trend of ready-to-wear garments. We think it's a charming name for a baby girl.
DOMINIQUE
Rue Saint Dominique is a quintessentially Parisian street in the 7th arrondissement. Known as one of the best shopping spots, it offers traditional pastry shops, restaurants, and stunning views of the Eiffel Tower. We think it's a lovely name for a girl.
PASCAL
LâAstrance is perhaps the best restaurant in Paris. A haute cuisine concept it is incredibly elegant, and entirely French. It is the brainchild of Chef Pascal Barbot — for food lovers, Pascal should be a name worth considering.
SERGE
Serge Gainsbourg was a famous French singer, songwriter, and artist, who was both born and died in Paris. He was considered among the most important figures in popular music, and is now seen as a modern French legend.
LILY-ROSE
Lily-Rose Depp, the daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, is a French-American actress and model. She was born in Paris and spent much of her childhood there, and is fluent in both French and English. We think her name is softly romantic and perfect for a Paris-influenced baby girl.
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