Unique French and Irish Baby Names

Choosing a name for your child may be the hardest thing you will ever do. It may also be one of the most important. Parents today want a name that will reflect their child's personality, but they also want names that are unique, as well as names that flow well with their surname.

Many expectant couples turn to baby naming books or websites. Some may find themselves turning to their family trees and naming their offspring after ancestors. This is a great way to embrace the family's heritage. Unsure about the names of those ancestors, but know where they originally came from? Check out some of the unique French and Irish/Celtic baby names below.

One of the naming traditions of the French is to give their child a middle name that honors both sets of grandparents. A female child will receive the names of both grandmothers as her middle name and a male child the names of both grandfathers.

Some of the most popular names from France in recent years actually bear a strong resemblance to popular American names such as Alexander and Chloe. Girl's names in France are some of the prettiest. You might want to consider one of the following for your precious new daughter.

Alisanne - meaning "truthful."

Amalie- meaning "hardworking or industrious."

Brier- meaning "heather."

Callia- meaning "beautiful."

Elle- meaning "she."

Jolie-meaning "pretty."

Marielle- meaning "bitter," as in a bitterly wanted child.

Nicolette-meaning "the people's victory."

Raissa- meaning "the believer."

Sylvie- meaning "from the forest."

For the young gentleman, there are some great names from France.

Bonner is from Old French and means "gracious or truthful."

Ciel- meaning "from heaven."

Corbett- meaning "a raven."

Fitch- meaning "lance or spear."

Frayne- meaning "an ash tree."

Maslin-meaning "little twin."

Paine-meaning "a country man"

Porter- meaning "the gatekeeper."

Remy- meaning "an oarsman."

Sage-meaning "wise."

Irish naming traditions dictate that the first male child should be named after the father's father and the first daughter should be named after the mother's mother. Irish names are quite unique when their original pronunciations are used. Your daughter might enjoy growing up with one of these lovely names.

Aislinn- Pronounced "Ash-leen or Ash-ling" and meaning "a vision or a dream."

Caoimhe- Pronounced "Kee-va" and meaning "beautiful, precious, gentle."

Kyna- Pronounced "Kee-na" and meaning "love, affection, esteem."

Maebh- Pronounced "May+v" and meaning "cause of great joy."

Regan- Pronounced "Ree-gan" and meaning "the king's child."

Ryanne- Pronounced "Rye-ann" It is the female form of Ryan.

Saoirse- Pronounced "Sear-sha" and meaning "freedom, liberty."

Teagan- meaning beautiful

There are also some strong names for the lads.

Bradan- Pronounced "Bray-dan" and meaning "a salmon."

Cabhan- Pronounced "Cav-an" and meaning "grassy hill or hollow."

Cian- Pronounced "Key-in" and meaning "ancient, enduring."

Ciaran- Pronounced "Keer-in" and meaning "dark."

Eamonn- Pronounced "Aim-an" and meaning "guardian of the riches."

Finn- Pronounced "Fin" and meaning "fair-haired."

Hugh- Pronounced "Hue" and meaning "fire."

Lorcan- Pronounced "Lore-can" and meaning "silent or fierce."

Remember the name you choose for your child will be with them for always, so be sure to pick a meaningful name that will hold them in good stead.