The following categories are only rough guidelines that experts use. Due to a wide variety of fragrance on the market today it is often hard to classify one fragrance into a certain category. Every brand of wants to be a "different" kind of fragrance.

Fougère (pronounced 'foo-jer', meaning "fern" in french)
Fougere fragrances are one of the most popular men's families. These will often contain Lavender and Oakmoss. The name came from a fragrance by Houbigant called Fougere Royale or Royal Fern (now discontinued) which was the first fougere fragrance.
Examples:
Men: Polo Sport by Ralph Lauren, Cool Water by Davidoff, Paco Rabanne pour homme.

Floral
The majority of feminine fragrances are floral. The floral scent can range from single notes (or aroma) to several flowers combined to create a new scent.
Examples:
Men: Agua Lavanda by Puig, Insensé by Givenchy
Women: Chanel No 19, Anaïs Anaïs by Cacharel, L'Air du Temps by Nina Ricci

Oriental
Oriental fragrances are common in both male and female fragrances. They are often warm, spicy and sweet and contain ingredients such as Vanilla and Tonka bean. Sandalwood is also very common in these fragrances
Examples:
Men: Obsession for Men by Calvin Klein, Joop! Homme by Joop!
Women: Jean Paul Gaultier "Classique", Angel, Opium by Yves Saint Laurent

Chypre (pronounced 'sheep-r', meaning "Cyprus" in franch)
A Chypre fragrance contains woody, mossy and floral notes. Often will contain Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Patchouli Bergamot and Vetiver. This was named after a feminine fragrance by Coty called 'Chypre' in 1917.
Examples:
Men: Givenchy Gentleman, 212 Men by Carolina Herrera.
Women: Cuir de Russe by Chanel, Mitsouko by Guerlain,

Marine (Aqua)
The term aqua (marine) is used because this type of fragrance reminds us of the sea air. An ingredient called calone is used to create the marine scent.
Examples:
Men: Kenzo Pour Homme, L'Eau D'Issey pour Homme by Issey Miyake
Women: Escape by Calvin Klein, Aquawoman by Rochas