Blanche

girlFrench

Blanche is a girl name of French origin, meaning “White, fair”.

MeaningWhite, fair
GenderGirl
OriginFrench
PronunciationBLAHNSH
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inFrance, United Kingdom, United States

Meaning and origin of Blanche

Blanche is the French word for 'white', taken from a Germanic colour word that also gave English 'blank'. As a name it was first a description of fair hair or skin. It was carried by medieval royalty, most famously Blanche of Castile, queen of France and mother of Louis IX, which helped spread it among European nobility. English speakers know it from Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams's play A Streetcar Named Desire.

Is Blanche a religious name?

Blanche is a descriptive French name with no specific religious origin, though it was long used in Catholic France and England.

How popular is Blanche?

Popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s and much rarer now, with some vintage-revival interest.

Gifts with the name Blanche

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Spellings and variants of Blanche

Names similar to Blanche

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Blanche mean?

Blanche means 'White, fair'. It is of French origin.

Does Blanche have a religious meaning?

Blanche is a descriptive French name with no specific religious origin, though it was long used in Catholic France and England.

How do you pronounce Blanche?

Blanche is pronounced BLAHNSH.

Is Blanche a boy or girl name?

Blanche is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.