Name Meaning & Legal Status · France

Ginevra Name: Meaning, Origin & France Legal Status

Showing legal status, local spelling and registration process for France specifically. Each of the 7 country pages for Ginevra contains different data — see the comparison table below.

What does the name Ginevra mean?

The name Ginevra means "Fair one, white phantom". It is of Welsh (Italian form of Guinevere) origin and is most commonly given to girls across Europe.

Pronunciation in French: gen-YEHVR (Guenièvre). Pronunciation varies slightly by region, but this is the form most commonly heard in France.

Is Ginevra approved in France? Ginevra is accepted as a baby name in France. Read on for the full origin, French spelling variants, popularity ranking, and the registration process at the État civil (officier d'état civil).

Is Ginevra approved in France?

Ginevra is accepted as a baby name in France. Generally accepted under naming law, without special conditions.

The name Ginevra: origin and meaning

Ginevra is a name of Welsh (Italian form of Guinevere) origin, meaning "Fair one, white phantom". It has travelled across Europe for centuries — its earliest bearer in the Christian tradition is Linked to Queen Guinevere of Arthurian legend; popularised by Renaissance Italy, and in modern times it has become widely recognised through cultural figures such as Ginevra de' Benci (subject of a Leonardo da Vinci portrait), Ginevra Elkann (Italian filmmaker).

In France, the name connects to Linked to Queen Guinevere of Arthurian legend; popularised by Renaissance Italy, which keeps it firmly embedded in the Catholic naming tradition and the local saints' calendar.

Popularity of Ginevra in France

A familiar but less frequent choice in France — not currently in the top 30, which can actually be an advantage for parents seeking a timeless name without over-exposure.

Our database covers approximately 12,000 names recorded in France. You can cross-check Ginevra against this full dataset — along with naming patterns in the 24 other European countries we track — using our free name checker.

French spelling and variants of Ginevra

In France, the name is most often written as Guenièvre. This is the form recorded in the civil register.

Naming rules in France

France regulates baby names through the État civil (officier d'état civil) under the Article 57 Code Civil (reformed 1993). France has one of the most permissive naming frameworks in Europe — parents have wide freedom, and refusals are rare and reserved for names that could genuinely harm the child.

For the name Ginevra specifically: Generally accepted under naming law, without special conditions.

How to verify before registering

1. Use our free checker — verify Ginevra against our database of names actually registered in France.
2. Call your local État civil (officier d'état civil) — Registrars can confirm whether Ginevra has been accepted locally before you book the registration appointment. This is especially helpful when using a rare spelling.
3. Bring supporting evidence — If the name is unusual, prepare documents: a parent's passport showing the same name, a prior birth certificate, or a reference to a historical/religious figure. This makes a difference if the case escalates.
4. Read the full legal guide — See our complete article on baby name laws in France for the full legal background.

Similar girl names approved in France

If Ginevra is not exactly what you are looking for, these girl names share a similar European tradition and are commonly accepted in France:

Frequently asked questions about Ginevra

Compare Ginevra with the other 6 European countries

The data for Ginevra is different in each country — different authority, different deadline, different local spelling. Open any of the 6 sibling pages below:

Related resources

Last updated: May 2026. Information is provided for orientation only and does not constitute legal advice. Always confirm with the État civil (officier d'état civil).