There are various famous people with whom your child will share this given name from Denis Lavant (a French actor) to Denis Shapovalov (a tennis player). Lets get into my list of some of the best French boy names that are worth a look. Samuel. 11 NOAH 45 SAMUEL Aubert 36. A total of 16 popes bore this name. 44 RAPHAL Jol. Gaston comes from the Ancient Germanic gast, meaning stranger, guest. Originally from the Old English, this French boys name means rich guard. The name was given to various saints and kings. The name comes from the French word Courtois, which means well-mannered. Fabien has Latin origins and comes from the name Fabianus, which refers to a type of bean. Going after what you want. Traveling to places that intrigue you. It has an equivalent female name, which is Florentine. ***CLICK HERE TO READ FAQ*** Dismiss. A quintessentially French name, famous Yvess include fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent, surrealist painter Yves Tanguy, founder and CEO of Ubisoft Yves Guillemot, and cosmetics company founder Yves Rocher. It means beloved or he who is loved. The name means longing or desire. 81. Its popularity in France has dwindled whereas its popularity in the French-Canadian province of Quebec has soared. Transcribed Gal when written in French, Gael is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. It is a rare French masculine form of an equally rare Ancient Germanic girls name, Odilia. Derived from a German name that means guest or stranger, the name was used by a saint and several French counts. Based on the Latin name Desiderius, which means longing or desire, the French boys name was used by several saints before being considered common. I love Marcel and Axel. 33 AXEL If you still need more name ideas for your little guy, there are plenty of other articles you can check out. This name has its origins in the German language. Charles. French painter douard Manet was another famous bearer of the name. Sylvestre. Maxime. Like Xavier, which is featured at the end of this list this name means enlightened one, or intelligent one. Hugo. Breton refers to the area of France now known as Brittany, which was an independent nation until 1532 when it became a part of France. 34 CAMILLE So, if someone is given the name August Landry . 82. 16 SBASTIEN Lucian of Samosata was a Syrian satirist who was famous for his tongue-in-cheek style. This educational content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The Breton word element gwen means blessed, but it can also mean fair, white. Dennis is a name that used to be quite common in the 1960s, and the name means follower of Dionysius. 23 KEVIN It refers to the angel Gabriel and is a Biblical name. Photo credit: www.depositphotos.com / madorf, 1 LO 45 JORDAN Franois is a French boys name that means Frenchman, or from France. 22 LON Its origins lie in the Greek language and it is taken from the word sebastos. However, the French version of the name sounds more beautiful. This name means worthy of much praise and is used across the globe. However, the highest-ranking for Florian in the U.S. was number 529 back in 1917. Its just more familiar and Tom/Thomas would be thought of as variations of the same name in the US. This name means handsome in French. Our Baby Name Generator can also help you find the perfect name for your son. These traditional French names for boys are classics and still popular today. This name means he who brings fortune. And, many saints also bore the name, often using the Latin spelling. 12 FABRICE 40 MAURICE This biblical name appears in many languages besides French. Its a Slavic name originally, and means gracious or dear. A city in Italy also has this name, but its origins are from a different source. Svre. It is derived from the Greek name Alexandros. 19 YVES It has an English equivalent that is spelled the same but pronounced differently, and an English version spelled Lewis. 6. This is Arnold in French, but it sure sounds a lot cuter pronounced AR-NO. 47 AMIR It means whole ruler. The English name Henry may also be related. However, you can choose it for its beautiful soundit's pronounced TREES-TAHN. Claude is from the Latin claudus, which means crippled, lame. The equivalent female version of this name is Geraldine. He died on August 14, 1972 in Bruneck, . It likely derives from a Celtic word that means chieftain or prince. The name can also be spelled Mael or Mal. 37 ALPHONSE In France, you really dont hear that because its a given that people will use the full first name. This French gender-neutral name means judged by God. A triple-cream French cheese is named after him. Raymond means protector. Unsubscribe at any time. Grard Lanvin was born on June 21, 1950 in Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, France. There is a range of famous French footballers with this name, including Didier Digard, Didier Deschamps. 11. In Europe, Florian recently peaked at number 2 in Austria, number 3 in Germany, and number 9 in France. Add your little prince to the group! 20 BAPTISTE Lionel, in a similar way to the name Lon, means small lion. Here is the list of the top French boy names in France from 2020: 1. Its origins lie in the German name Adelbert and it connotes nobility, royalty and wealth. 24. Something else about nicknames in the US is that its common for people to ask someone what name they go by. When you shop through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Of Breton origin, the name means battle worthy and used to be rare until it was revived in the nineteenth century. The name means manly. In the Bible, Andrew was Jesus first disciple. It means of Britanny the region located in the northwest area of France. 36 ENZO Related: 100 Cool Last Names 11. There are various variations of this name all over the world. Philippe. 31 SYLVAIN 8 ALEXANDRE Andr is a name used popularly in France. 35 EDOUARD 1 (2008), The Prize of Peril (1983) and The Taste of Others (2000). At work, people generally go by their full name and French nicknames arent as much of a thing. Please read my FAQ before placing an order for sizing help and my return policy. Franois is, essentially, a French version of Francis. Would you recognize this French boys name as the equivalent of Harvey? Lucien was typically used to name newborns who were born at dawn. The common French name Hubert is also used in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the U.S. Is your newborn baby boy going to be a Devereaux? Named by zoologist Patrice Faye, Gustave is thought to measure 18 feet from nose to tail and weigh 2,000 pounds. 39 JACKY As Dieudonn, the boys name is very popular in French-speaking African countries. See the. 46 JEAN-PIERRE Claude Franois sang the French version of this classic hit, two years before Frank Sinatra's hit. Hercule Poirot is a fictional detective created by the English author Agatha Christie. Ruben. The same Roman family name is the basis for the girls name Emily. Then it is the element hael that means generous. With these points in mind, lets take a look at some truly inspiring French boys names. Adrien. Ive even included some celebrities and sportsmen who share these featured names. This name originates from the Latin word for lion, connotes bravery and strength and means lion. One of Egypts first gods, she was said to protect the country, rule the natural world, and even, on occasion, control fate. However, the French pronunciation is SEHRZH, which is like SIR and a J like at the beginning of jug, at the end. He was previously married to Lina Magrini and Odette Joyeux. The meaning of the name is unknown but it may be related to the Old English name Cerdric. 6 NICOLAS 37 MARCEAU He was an actor and writer, known for Eyes Without a Face (1960), Children of Paradise (1945) and Gates of the Night (1946). 28 MARC It was used as a name that reflected the traits of newborns with dark hair. When its a first name that we commonly say in English-speaking countries, the pronunciation is different than it is in French. In the US, my whole family calls him Tom. This unique name could shoot straight to the top of our list because of the incredibly cool potential nicknames Vespers or Vesp. It is popularly used and was possibly made popular due to the Spanish Saint, Francis Xavier. Rgis means ruler in Occitan, a language spoken in Southern France. Whether its the sound or the meaning, there's something that make these French boys names beautiful: 56. With German origins, the name means advice and army. Rainier was the first name of the late prince of Monaco. This French name is not too complicated. Alarie This French surname is reflex of the Visigothic personal name Alaric, and means 'all-powerful'. Often incorrectly listed as meaning flower, the actual meaning of Antoine is unknown. There are a few variations of this French name. It reflects those newborns who were born near beautiful mountains or picturesque hills. Common in France, the French-Canadian province of Quebec, and the United States, this French boys name is also a popular African-American boys name. Youll recognize this name as Alan in English. Elijah appears in both the Old and New Testaments. Even though pronouncing this name in French as A-DREE-YEHN may sound like its feminine, the name is actually a boys name. Theyre alphabetically listed from A to Z. Youll find the pronunciation in the second column and the meaning and etymology in the third. 27. Appearing in The Lord of the Rings, Took is a librarian who has a fondness for umbrellas. These are some of the qualities you get in the French names for boys, their etymologies and meanings. One of JK Rowlings fictional characters was named Cedric in the magical world of Harry Potter. Is Beau the name that matches your baby boy perfectly? The 200 most popular names were taken from a universe that includes 19,613,744 male births and 18,901,349 female births Our categories include popular, unique, cute, pretty, beautiful, and old-fashioned French boys names. Although its popularity has dipped in France, its holding steady in the United States. This is the French form of the archaic English boys name Rayner. 22 VINCENT The French boys name Florent is an alternative version to the name Florian. Cdric is supposedly the French form of Cedric. It means my strength comes from God, and there is an equivalent female version of this French name, which is Gabrielle. 76. 15 PAUL Joffrey is a French form of Geoffrey, meaning district of peace. 1. 15. Pierre, Francois, Michel, Arnaud? The most famous bearer of this name in the U.S. is probably the late TV presenter, talk show host, game show host, and actor Regis Philbin. It originated as a German name and means noble and brave, both strong meanings for a boy. 100 Strong Baby Boy Names That Show Power, 100 French Last Names That Double as Baby Names, 100 Exotic Boy Names (For a Special & Unique Child), 100 Japanese Girl Names (That You and Your Spouse Should Love), 100 French Girl Names for Your Sophisticated Princess. Youll recognize this French boys name that starts with A as Andrew in English. 10 CLAUDE This French boys name is popular in the Brittany. See the name Beau further down in this post, or the name Andr, for example. 18 LUCIEN 50 GUILLAUME. 26 ANTOINE It has become increasingly popular due to the famous French brand Dior. Used in both French and Swedish, this boys name means Peter in English. were taken from a universe that includes 19,613,744 male births and 39 LOC English speakers tend to pronounce this name as Bonny-face even though the correct way to say it in English is more BAWN-ah-fahs. It means bravery or courageous. The story of the unpleasant, unkind, greedy miser Sraphin Poudrier was written by Claude-Henri Grignon in 1933. tienne itself means the crown. Pierre Brasseur was born on December 22, 1905 in Paris, France. A famous bearer of the French boys name is the French-Canadian conductor Yannick Nzet-Sguin. There is some debate about the meaning of Odilon. 47 FLIX Lavigne Someone with this last name was likely from a family who lived near a. Alain is the French form of Alan, meaning little rock or handsome. 19. Your little boy would be lucky to have this auspicious name! Just to check. The ultimate list of French boy names with meaning. However, the artist, Pierre, turned out to be Peter, a four-year-old chimpanzee (2). In 1950, French mathematician Laurent Schwartz was awarded the Fields Medal, considered the most prestigious award in mathematics, akin to the Nobel Award. 44 JEAN-MICHEL Matho. 20 NICOLAS In the US, its common for people to have a nickname and people introduce themselves by their nickname and everyone calls them that, like Hi, nice to meet you Im Rob. Thats not the case in France. 11. Eugne. English playwright Nol Coward was a famous bearer of the name. This playful French boys name comes from the biblical name Zechariah, which means Yahweh remembers. The name appears in both the Old and New Testaments. This makes it a great French boys name option for a family with a mixed heritage. It has religious connotations and refers to those who were baptised and born again. Corneille is an archaic French name that means horn. Douglas is another name that was quite popular in the 1960s. The name can mean man who is free, but it also means strong and connotes strength and power. This name means intelligent and praiseworthy and is a well-known French name. 37 ARNAUD You can preview it now and share your feedback. 26 ADRIEN 42 MALO 40 ELIOTT As you may have guessed, this is the French form of the English name John. This name originates in the German language. Introduction; Browse Names; Advanced Search; Popularity 49 RAYAN 39 EDMOND You may also consider these spellings: Elyas, Elias, Eliaz, Elijas, Eliyas, Eliyaz, Ellias, and lyas. As Andr, with or without the accent, its a common French, Dutch, German, and Portuguese boys name. The name means gift given by God. Volcanos on the list are considered the most potentially dangerous in the world. Guy. 17 DIDIER the name and the number of occurrences of that name. 24 FRANOIS Arnaud. Laurent means Laurentum, an ancient Italian city. 10 MAURICE 4 GRARD There is an equivalent female version of this French name, which is Ghislaine. Tanguy is a French movie about a 28-year-old teacher who still lives at home with his parents. 18,901,349 female births, FEMA and State Resources for Hurricane Ian. 28 MARC The names Breton and Beaumont are two examples of this, which you can find out more about as you continue reading. In the Biblical story, the character named Abel is killed by his brother, Cain. Alos. 22 DOMINIQUE The grape was given this name because it was brought to France by the Romans. Unisex French names are quite popular! 46 AUGUSTIN In Greek, it means to honor. The name appears in the works of Plato. Instead, it is closely related to James. Its been very popular in France since the thirteenth century, but has fallen in popularity in recent years. 9 FRANCK 75. There is an English equivalent to this French boys name, which is Nicholas. 49. Emmanuel has Hebrew origins and can be found in the Bible. 30 MARTIN 48 AIME The name has origins in the German name Ludwig, which means famous battle. A total of 18 French kings have had this boys name, making it very popular among royals. Although the name has fallen out of favor in France, in the French-Canadian province of Quebec, its among the top choices. This French boys name has been very popular in Italy and France before making it to England. Prince Armel was the son of King Hoel, a 6th century Breton ruler of Cornouaille, now known as Brittany, France. This strong French boys name is pronounced FAB-REES, which, unfortunately, sounds rather too much like the air freshener product line Febreze. 787 Lavish French Boy Names With Meanings. Based on the ancient German name of Wido, it can mean wood or wide.. This French boys name means he who travels, or brave traveller. Very few of the popular girls' and boys' names from this year have survived to 2006. Disneys Gaston in Beauty and the Beast is possibly the most famous bearer of this name. Dennis. You may recognize the more modern version Barnaby, which is closer in pronunciation to the French name. This is the rarer spelling of the names Gauthier or Gautier, both of which mean Walter in French. Lets turn back the clock a little more and look at some popular French baby boy names from 1970. 31 NATHAN 27 GILLES It can also mean spirit. 48 JOS 19 ALAIN 15 ALBERT Rank. Achille From the Greek name Achilles, the meaning of Achille is uncertain, but it may mean pain. Anouilh Derived from the word anull that is the Catalan language dominantly used in southern France, Anouilh means 'slow worm'. 33 PATRICE Devereaux means beside the river or the bank of the river. In France, both spellings of the name shot up to popularity in 2016. Brice was a popular name in France during the Middle Ages. 40 SIMON 47 BERTRAND 23 GASTON Take French male names like Thomas, Quentin, Benjamin, etc. 9. Ren. There are plenty of famous Jean-Pauls, including Jean-Paul Sartre (a French philosopher), Jean-Paul Gaultier (a fashion designer), and Belmondo (a famous French actor). 50 TRISTAN, Photo credit: www.depositphotos.com / serrnovik. Flix. The boys name was popular as early as the third century. It can also mean he who has been baptised. Youll find this name used in English, Dutch, Polish, Catalan, and Frenchsometimes with or without the accent. Other French boy names are also used to describe the location where the child was born. Germanic in origin, it means will helmet and was popular among Normans. Grgoire. There is also an equivalent female version of this name, which is Louisa. Low-quality initial translations of his work to English meant Verne was thought of as a childrens author. Florian is a French name for boys that means flowering. Ultimately the name is derived from Matthew, a biblical name that means gift of God in Hebrew. Come, without the circumflex, became popular in France in the late 1980s. Taking risks. Florimond combines the Latin florens, meaning prosperous, and the Germanic mund, which means protection. See this list of French girl names. This name literally means Christmas in French. Jean Dujardin Actor | The Artist It was originally a Latin name, meaning from Laurentum, which refers to an ancient Italian city. The meaning of Brice is uncertain, but its thought to mean speckled. Geoffrey. 49 HERV lie is the French form of Elijah which means My God is Yahweh. Harry Potter fans, you may recognize this boys name, as its the French equivalent of the Latin name Severus. The name means stern and was originally a Roman last name before it was used as a given name. Laurent. It is thought he took the name from the Dorians, an Ancient Greek tribe from the north-eastern regions of Greece. 41 NOLAN Required fields are marked *. Mylan. 21 HERV 50. 7 QUENTIN It connotes boldness and bravery. 5 LOUIS The French boys name translates to English as knight. A medieval French form of the Greek name Dionysios, which was also the name of the Greek god of wine and fruitfulness, you may recognize it in English as Dennis. This French version of the boys name Timothy is derived from a Greek name that means honoring God. Even though there was a biblical figure with the name, Timothe and Timothy didnt become popular until after the Protestant Reformation. 16 FRANOIS Even at the end of the 19th century, Tlesphore was starting to be considered an old-fashioned name. The name Jean-Baptiste evolved as an affirmation of the importance of John the Baptist. You wont hear of too many Robs or Bens. This name from Brittany is derived from another Breton name, Yann, which is John. The English version of this name is Andrew and there are many other versions used around the globe, such as Andrei and Andres. Canadian singer-songwriter Corneille lives in Quebec and sings in both French and English. With roots in the Latin name Maximus, this French name means greatest. Why not choose this name for your greatest achievement? It refers to the Biblical character John the Baptist and combines the meanings of God is compassionate, and he who has been baptised. Nol became a name during the middle ages when it was given to babies born during the holiday. Other spellings include Loucas, Loukas, and Lukas. This French boys name originated as the German name Anthelm, which means zeal and protection. A famous twelfth-century French bishop bore the name. Soan is a modern French name of uncertain meaning. If you listen to the song Comme d'habitude, you will recognize immediately the melody of Frank Sinatra's My Way. You dont have to take a wild guess to realize this is the French form of the name Philip. It, therefore, means bean grower. Maxence is a derivative of the Latin word Maximus, meaning greatest. See the name Beau further down in this post, or the name Andr, for example. This is the French form of the boys name Alexander, which is common in countless languages. Olivier. 39. Written by multiple authors, these stories were so popular that in France, the name Raynard, spelled Renard, came to mean fox. I wrote a separate post all about misleading French first names. Random House published Henri, le Chat Noir: The Existential Musings of an Angst-Filled Cat, a book based on the series. Home; Names. Lets keep moving forward. Founded by a fifth-generation winemaker from the Napa Valley, Elouan produces pinot noir, chardonnay, and Elouan Ros. There are many famous Baptistes, including Bapiste Giabiconi, model and singer, and Baptiste Rollier. A multiple award winner, for his role in the 1991 film Green Card, he won the Golden Globe for Best Actor. We think this connection makes a great French boys name for a family with navy heritage. Although the history is quite convoluted, the name has a cute ring to it. It means spear and brave in German. 2 ANDR Search thousands of names using filters like first letter and theme to narrow down names more easily. The films voice cast includes John Cena, Gina Rodriguez, David Tennant, and Gabriel Iglesias. 26 DOMINIQUE Julien. 8 ERIC Donald is a name that has an impactful meaning. tienne. 1960 Les Yeux sans visage de Georges Franju 5. Dorian refers to Ancient Greeks from the district of Doris. 46 RICHARD Marceau is an alternative versin of the name Marcel and also derives from the Latin name Marcellus. Fabien. Dior comes from the Word dor in French. Lucas means the light bearer or he who illuminates. Your baby boy is special and deserves a beautiful name. Our content is doctor approved and evidence based, and our community is moderated, lively, and welcoming. 35 TIMO It has a female, English equivalent, which is Nicola, and one notable, famous person with this name is the former French president Nicolas Sarkozy. One of the first novelists of Western civilization, his book A True Story is considered the earliest known example of science fiction. Being comfortable but finding a way to push yourself. Allard This old French surname has Germanic origin, and means 'noble'. In France, the name is pronounced TEE-MAW-THE, and has held steady over the past two decades. 45 JEAN-LUC 43 PAUL 24 TIAGO 4 PIERRE However, in modern-day Israel, Noam has morphed into a name for both boys and girls. Much loved wrestler and occasional actor Andr the Giant was seven feet tall. 7 REN 2 MICHEL Its the Latin version of the English name Hugh, which can mean heart, mind, or spirit. What a terrific combination of meanings for your boy! Boy. For this reason, we know that a French name for your baby will make a statement to the world. If you like legendary names, you might also appreciate these names based on Greek mythology. Its origins lie in the Latin term bonifatius. Corbin is an Old French name that means raven. They all sound oh-so-French once you give them the necessary French accent. 43 JEAN-LUC Several saints also bore the name. 13 BRUNO The musical association may make this feel like an unlikely name for English speakers, but what a fabulous French boys name for your eighth child. 31. 38. 27 GUILLAUME However, it can also mean he who is from Gascony. French. Tristan. mile. 23. This name also connotes nobility, as the knights ranked highly in the Middle Ages. Grard. Gaston. The Hebrew word pesach means Passover. What French baby boy names are your favorites? Have you found the best French boys name for your son on this list? It was used to describe the Bretons or Celts who lived in the north of France. 50 ELIE. Denis. Why McDonalds in France is actually cool & popular with the French, Most popular posts of 2016 (and a few faves), Best of 2014: Most popular Oui In France posts, My picks for the best French market bags & baskets, 5 Surprising side effects of grief I didnt expect . This beautiful French boys name means flower. 3. However, just as it became less common in France, Ronan found traction in the U.S., where it has become steadily more popular since 2001. In the Basque region of Southern France and Northern Spain, this name may be spelled, Fermin. 21. meric. Combining both Jean and Paul, this French boys name means God is gracious. 14 EMMANUEL Sir Walter Scott created the name Cedric for a novel, and experts believe he was inspired by Caratacos, a Brythonic name. So upon being introduced as Michael, someone might say, do you go by Mike or Michael? From the Greek name Achilles, the meaning of Achille is uncertain, but it may mean pain. Its not that nicknames dont exist at all in France you will hear Emmanuel shorted to Manu, for example but its just what your friends call you in super casual settings. This French boys name means he who rules the home or the leader of the home The equivalent female version of this name is Henrietta, while the English version is typically spelled with a y Henry. Weve also added a few fun nuggets of information to help you include or exclude each one from your list of maybes. As you may have guessed, this French name comes from the same root as the word placid, which makes it an excellent choice for a quiet, calm baby. Gervais. 46. Georges. OR. Jean-Paul, Jean-Michel, and others were all common French first names. Canadian singer-songwriter Florent Vollant is considered one of the most influential musicians in First Nations history. Graham Land is the area of Antarctica closest to South America, so it is often a destination for small cruise ships. Odilon is from the Ancient Germanic aud, meaning wealth, fortune. 28 ALFRED The biblical name means God is Yahweh in Hebrew (Yahweh is the name of God in Hebrew). Pierre. Being kind, always. One famous person with the name Philippe was Philippe Auguste King of France between 1180 and 1223. All Saints Day is a Christian holiday celebrated in most branches of the church on November 1st. Soan made its first appearance on the French top 1,000 baby names in 2009 at number 118. The French variant of Cillian, Kylian probably means church. This name is derived from the Latin name Benedictus, which means blessed. The boys name was very popular among Christians and was borne by 16 popes. It means wealthy one he who has fortune, or he who has wealth. The French boys name Alcide means strength. The name's popularity peaked in France in 2014. A relatively common boys name in early 20th century France, Marceau fell out of favor in the 1960s. Hubert means enlightened mind and originates in Germany. Similar to Lon and Lionel, Leo also means lion. 24 ANTHONY 38 VALENTIN Introduction; Browse Names; Advanced Search; Popularity 73. In France it peaked in the 1960s but has declined since then. 52. Each year since 1955, the Nipce Prize, named in his honor, has been awarded to a professional photographer in France. Many French boys names seem inherently cute in the way they are pronounced or in their meanings. 9 ANTOINE 21 REN Jean comes from Hebrew but is used as a popular name in France and Europe. Cdric. This Norman French name has German origins and means peace and territory. The Normans introduced the name to England, so its also considered English. This French boys name was originally used as an English last name. There is an English version of this French boys name, which is Matthew. Based on a Greek name, it literally means sacred namea good choice for your baby boy!