French boy names tend to have a certain classic, sophisticated appeal.
From the old world charm of Jean and Louis to the creative flair of Marceau and Eloi, there is plenty of inspiration for parents looking for interesting baby names with meaning.
In this article, we’ll take a look at different names across many different categories.
These include:
- French Boy Names and Meanings
- Best French Boy Names
- Classic French Boy Names
- Traditional French Boy Names
- Modern French Boy Names
- Posh French Boy Names
- Feminine French Boy Names
- Beautiful French Boy Names
- French Boy Names – 1800s
- Unique French Boy Names
- Royal French Boy Names
- Powerful French Boy Names
- Cool French Boy Names
- Tough French Boy Names
- French Canadien Boy Names
- French English Boy Names
- French Medieval Boy Names
Let’s take a look.
French Boy Names and Meanings
Here are some classic, posh, and unique French boy names that can help make your son stand out from the rest:
1) Jean – meaning “God’s gracious gift”
2) Louis – meaning “famous warrior”
3) Pierre – meaning “rock”
4) Philippe – meaning “lover of horses”
5) Gaspard – meaning “treasurer or god-given wealth”
6) Nicolas – meaning “victor of the people”
7) Yves – derived from Yvo, meaning “yew tree”
8) Emile – derived from Latin, meaning “excellent”
9) Adrien – derived from the Roman Aemilius, meaning “from Adria”
10) Marceau – derived from Mars, the god of war
11) Eloi – derived from Aloysius, or “famous warrior”
12) Maurice – derived from Mauritius, meaning “dark-skinned one”
13) René – French form of the Germanic name Rainer, meaning “wise counsel”
14) Alphonse – derived from Alfonso, made famous by a 13th century King of Castille
15) Jules – short form of Julien or Julius, both ultimately deriving from Jupiter, the Roman god of sky and thunder
FRENCH BABY BOY NAMES with MEANINGS & PRONUNCIATIONS
Best French Boy Names
Whether you’re looking for a traditional French name or something more modern, here are some of the best French boy names to choose from (these are the same from the list above):
1) Jean – classic and timeless, derived from John
2) Louis – regal and strong
3) Pierre – simple yet sophisticated
4) Philippe – perfect for equestrian fans
5) Gaspard – unique and memorable
6) Nicolas – popular among both royalty and commoners alike
7) Yves – creative spelling of an old-fashioned pick
8) Emile – excellent choice with Latin roots
9) Adrien – inspired by the Roman Aemilius family
10) Marceau – inspired by the war god Mars
11) Eloi – bold and unique, derived from Aloysius
12) Maurice – strong yet dark-skinned
13) René – wise counsel taken to heart
14) Alphonse – perfect for a king of the castle
15) Jules – slightly offbeat choice with Roman roots.
Classic French Boy Names
1) Pierre – from the Greek petros, meaning “stone”
2) Louis – derived from Ludovicus, a Latinized form of the Germanic Chlodovech, which means “famous warrior”
3) Jean – derived from the Hebrew name Yehohanan, meaning “God is gracious”
4) Philippe – rooted in the Greek “philippos”, which translates to “horse lover”
5) Emile – derived from the Latin word “amabilis”, meaning beloved or lovely
6) Charles – from the Germanic “karl”, meaning man or free-man
7) Nicolas – derived from the Greek Nikolaos, which translates to “victory of the people”
8) Olivier – originating from Latin Olivarius, meaning olive tree grower
9) Marc – derived from the Latin “Marcus”, which translates to “warlike”
10) Guillaume – rooted in Germanic Willahelm, meaning “resolute protector”
Traditional French Boy Names
1) Jean – a classic French name with Hebrew roots
2) Louis – derived from the Latin “Ludovicus”, meaning “famous warrior”
3) Pierre – Greek for “stone”, perfect for traditional namesakes
4) Philippe – from the Greek “philippos”, meaning horse lover
5) Gaspard – a unique option of uncertain origin
6) Nicolas – Greek for “victory of the people”
7) Adrien – inspired by Aemilius, a Roman family name, translating to “from Adria”
8) Charles – Germanic name that means man or freeman
French Baby Names for Boys
Modern French Boy Names
1) Yves – creative spelling of the old-fashioned name Ivo, meaning “yew tree”
2) Emile – derived from Latin amabilis, meaning beloved or lovely
3) Eloi – bold and unique, derived from Aloysius
4) Maurice – strong yet dark-skinned
5) René – wise counsel taken to heart
6) Alphonse – perfect for a king of the castle
7) Jules – slightly offbeat choice with Roman roots
8) Thierry – French form of Theodoric, which means “ruler of people”
9) Sébastien – derived from Sebastianus, meaning “revered”
10) Léon – French form of Leonard, which means “strong and brave lion”
11) Anton – derived from Antonius, meaning “priceless”
12) Axel – Scandinavian and German name meaning “father of peace.”
Posh French Boy Names
1) Jean – regal and timeless
2) Louis – classic yet strong
3) Pierre – simple and sophisticated
4) Philippe – perfect for equestrian fans
5) Gaspard – unique and memorable
6) Nicolas – popular with royalty
7) Yves – creative spelling of an old-fashioned name
8) Emile – excellent choice with Latin roots
9) Adrien – inspired by Aemilius, a Roman family name, translating to “from Adria”
10) Charles – Germanic name that means man or freeman
11) Olivier – Latin Olivarius, meaning olive tree grower
12) Marc – derived from the Latin “Marcus”, meaning warlike
13) Guillaume – rooted in Germanic Willahelm, meaning “resolute protector”
14) Eloi – bold and unique, derived from Aloysius
15) Maurice – strong yet dark-skinned.
Feminine French Boy Names
1) Emile – Meaning “rival” or “to strive” this strong, noble name is one of the most popular names for French boys and is currently in the top 50.
2) Adrien – This name comes from a Latin word meaning dark and it has been popular since medieval times.
3) Remy – Meaning oarsman and originating from the Latin name Remigius, this is a strong French masculine name and can also be used for girls.
4) Antoine – This classic French Boy Name meaning Priceless One was popular in France during the Middle Ages.
5) Gabriel – Meaning God is my strength, this charming French name has been used by many notable people throughout history including two Popes and several saints.
6) Lucien – Derived from Lucius meaning light, this traditional French boy name has become increasingly popular in recent years.
7) Marcel – A diminutive of Marc which means Mars or warlike, this French boy name has remained consistently popular since medieval times.
8) Pascal – Meaning born on Easter Sunday, this delightful French boy name has a strong religious connotation and is often associated with Easter.
9) Yves – An old French form of the Germanic name Ivo, this classic French Boy Name means yew tree.
10) Philippe – Meaning lover of horses, this beautiful and sophisticated-sounding French boy name has been popular for centuries.
Beautiful French Boy Names
1) Aimé – Meaning beloved, this beautiful French boy name has a strong romantic feel and would make a perfect choice for parents looking for something unique yet classic.
2) Clement – Meaning merciful and kind, this sweet French name has been used by several popes and is currently in the top 200 names in France.
3) Fabien – This attractive French Boy Name meaning Bean Grower is derived from the Latin word Faba which means bean or pulse.
4) Jules – This traditional French Boy Name meaning youthful was popular among both kings and saints throughout history.
5) Laurent – Meaning Laurel tree, this gorgeous name is still popular in France today and is also becoming increasingly common in other countries too.
6) Olivier – Meaning olive tree, this classic French Boy Name is the French version of the Greek name Olivas and was popular during medieval times.
7) Reynard – Meaning strong counsel, this strong sounding French boy name has a long history of use throughout France and is still quite common today.
8) Romain – This romantic French boy name means from Rome and has been used by several notable writers and painters in recent centuries.
9) Théo – A diminutive of Theodore meaning gift of god, this sweet French boy name has become increasingly popular in recent years.
10) Valentin – This attractive French Boy Name meaning healthy or strong refers to Saint Valentine and is one of the most popular names for boys in France.
French Boy Names – 1800s
1) Alphonse – Meaning ready for battle, this strong French boy name was popular in the 1800s and is still widely used today.
2) Etienne – This traditional French Boy Name meaning crowned one has been used by several kings and saints throughout history.
3) Germain – Meaning brotherly or from Germany, this attractive French boy name is derived from the Latin word Germanus and was popular during medieval times.
4) Henri – Meaning ruler of the home, this classic French Boy Name was especially popular in France during the 1800s and is still quite common today.
5) Leon – Originally derived from a Greek word meaning lion, this powerful-sounding French boy name has remained consistently popular since medieval times.
6) Louis – Meaning famous warrior, this traditional French Boy Name was the name of several kings throughout history and is still widely used in France today.
7) Maurice – A diminutive of Maurus meaning dark-skinned or Moorish, this charismatic French boy name has been consistently popular since medieval times.
8) Pierre – Meaning rock or stone, this strong French boy name has a long history of use throughout Europe and is still quite common in France today.
9) Prosper – Meaning fortunate or successful, this delightful French Boy Name was popular in the 1800s and can also be used as a middle name too.
10) Victor – Meaning victorious or conqueror, this classic French boy name has remained consistently popular for centuries and is currently in the top 100 names in France.
Unique French Boy Names
1) Abel – Meaning breath, this unique French boy name is derived from the Hebrew word Hevel and is currently in the top 200 names in France.
2) Adrien – Meaning dark one, this attractive French Boy Name has been popular since medieval times and is still commonly used today.
3) Bastien – This beautiful French Boy Name meaning venerated or revered was traditionally given to boys born on August 24th which is St. Bartholomew’s day.
4) Cyrille – Meaning lordly, this strong-sounding French name has a long history of use throughout Europe and is still quite common today.
5) Elie – Meaning my god is Yahweh, this biblical French Boy Name is derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu and is currently in the top 200 names in France.
6) Félix – Meaning lucky or successful, this delightful French boy name was popular during medieval times and is still widely used today.
7) Grégoire – Meaning watchful or vigilant, this strong-sounding French Boy Name has been consistently popular for centuries and is currently in the top 300 names in France.
8) Julien – This classic French Boy Name meaning youth was especially popular during the 1800s and is still quite common today.
9) Lucien – Meaning light, this unique French boy name has a long history of use throughout Europe and is still quite common in France today.
10) Yves – Meaning yew, this attractive French boy name is derived from the English word for bow and has been popular since medieval times.
Royal French Boy Names
1) Amaury – This classic French name was used by several kings throughout history and is still quite popular today. It means power of an eagle.
2) Charles – Meaning manly, this strong yet romantic French boy name has been used by numerous kings and rulers throughout history.
3) Francis – This beautiful name which means free man or Frenchman was the name of two famous French kings, Louis XIV and Louis XVIII.
4) Gaston – Of German origin, this regal sounding French Boy Name means guest or stranger and has been used by several counts in Europe over the centuries.
5) Henri – Meaning ruler of the house, this traditional French boy name has been used by many kings and rulers throughout history.
6) Louis – Meaning famous warrior, this elegant French name was extremely popular among medieval royalty and is currently still quite common in France today.
7) Philippe – Meaning lover of horses, this classic French boy name has been used by many famous French kings over the centuries and is still quite popular today.
8) René – This charming name which means reborn or reawakened was a favorite among royal families in France during the Middle Ages.
9) Robert – Of Germanic origin, this strong-sounding French Boy Name means bright fame and was extremely popular with royals during the 13th century.
10) Yves – An old French form of the Germanic name Ivo, this royal-sounding French boy name means yew tree and has been used by several kings and rulers throughout history.
Powerful French Boy Names
1) Alain – Meaning handsome, this powerful French boy name has been popular since medieval times and is still quite common in France today.
2) Blaise – This attractive French Boy Name meaning stammerer or lisping was traditionally given to boys born on February 3rd which is the feast day of St. Blaise.
3) Damien – Meaning subduer, this strong-sounding French Boy Name has a long history of use throughout Europe and is still quite popular today.
4) Etienne – Meaning crowned, this unique French boy name has royal origins and is still quite common in France today.
5) Gérard – Of German origin, this powerful-sounding French name means brave spear man and is currently in the top 200 names in France.
6) Léon – Meaning lion, this attractive French boy name was a favorite among medieval rulers and is still quite popular today.
7) Pierre – Meaning rock or stone, this classic French name has royal origins and is still quite common throughout Europe today.
8) Rémy – Of Latin origin, this strong-sounding French Boy Name means oarsman and was traditionally used to denote sailors.
9) Romain – Meaning from Rome, this delightful French boy name has been popular since Roman times and is still quite common in France today.
10) Xavier – This popular French Boy Name meaning new house was a favorite of St. Francis Xavier.
Cool French Boy Names
1) Antoine – Meaning highly praiseworthy, this cool French Boy Name has a long history of use throughout Europe and is still quite popular today.
2) Bastien – This delightful name which means revered or honored was traditionally given to boys born on August 24th which is the feast day of St. Bartholomew.
3) Caden – An old French form of the Irish name Cathán, this unique French boy name means little fighter and is currently in the top 500 names in France.
4) Denis – Meaning dedicated to Dionysus, this fun-sounding French boy name has been popular since medieval times and is still quite common today.
5) Étienne – Of Latin origin, this cool-sounding French boy name means crown and was traditionally used to denote royalty.
6) Julien – Meaning youthful, this attractive French name is a popular form of the Roman name Julius.
7) Marcel – Of Latin origin, this fun-sounding French Boy Name means little warrior and is currently in the top 300 names in France.
8) Nico – This delightful name which means victory of the people was popularized by St. Nicholas who is the patron saint of children.
9) Quentin – Meaning fifth-born child, this charming French boy name has been used by several counts throughout Europe over the centuries.
10) Tristan – Meaning sorrowful, this attractive French boy name first became popular in the Middle Ages and is still quite common today.
Tough French Boy Names
1) Alphonse – This attractive French Boy Name meaning noble and ready was a favorite among medieval royalty.
2) Armand – Meaning army man, this strong-sounding French name is currently in the top 400 names in France.
3) Clément – Of Latin origin, this tough-sounding French boy name means merciful and is associated with several saints.
4) Édouard – Meaning wealthy protector, this royal-sounding French name has been used by several kings and rulers throughout history.
5) Ferdinand – Meaning brave journey, this powerful Germanic name was popularized by Spanish royalty during the 16th century.
6) Henri – An old Germanic form of the name Henry, this strong-sounding French Boy Name is still quite popular today.
7) Jacques – Meaning supplanter, this classic French name has been used in France since medieval times and is currently in the top 200 names there.
8) Lucien – This delightful name which means light was traditionally given to boys born on December 13th which is the feast day of St. Lucy.
9) Noé – Of Hebrew origin, this lovely French boy name means rest and was popularized by Noah from the Bible.
10) Sébastien – Meaning revered or respected, this attractive French boy name has a long history of use throughout Europe and is still quite common today.
French Canadien Boy Names
1) Alexandre: A form of Alexander meaning ‘defender of men’.
2) Antoine: A French variant of Anthony, it means ‘priceless one’.
3) Augustin: Meaning ‘great and venerable’ in Latin, this name is derived from Augustus.
4) Baptiste: Derived from the Greek name for John the Baptist, it means ‘immersed in water’.
5) Charles: This moniker is derived from the Germanic Karl, which means ‘free man’ or ‘man’.
6) Claude: From the Roman family name Claudius, this boy name means ‘lame’.
7) David: A Hebrew name meaning ‘beloved’, this is one of the most popular boy names in France.
8) Édouard: Meaning ‘guardian of prosperity’, this French variation of Edward has a royal touch.
9) Emile: This moniker comes from Latin and means ‘eager to excel’ or ‘rival’.
10) Étienne: Derived from the Greek Stephanos, it means ‘garland, crown’.
11) François: An old-fashioned name derived from Franciscus which means ‘from France’ or ‘free one’.
12) Gabriel: Meaning ‘God is my strength’, this moniker is derived from the Hebrew name Gavriel.
13) Gaspard: Derived from Jasper, it means ‘treasure-holder’ or ‘bringer of treasure’.
14) Henri: A French variant of Henry, it means ‘home-ruler’ or ‘estate ruler’.
15) Jean: This classic boy name is a French variation of John and means ‘God is gracious’.
16) Jules: Derived from Julius, it means ‘descended from Jupiter’ in Latin.
17) Louis: Meaning ‘renowned warrior’, this moniker has been popularized by King Louis XVI of France.
French English Boy Names
1) Arthur: This moniker is derived from the Celtic word for ‘bear’ and means ‘noble one’.
2) Benedict: Meaning ‘blessed’, this moniker is derived from Latin roots.
3) Cedric: Derived from a Welsh name which means ‘bounty-pattern’ or ‘lord of battle’.
4) Edward: Meaning ‘guardian of prosperity’, it has been popularized by the English king with the same name.
5) Francis: Derived from Franciscus which means ‘free one’, this French variation of Frank is quite popular in England.
6) George: This English form of the Greek name Georgios means ‘farmer’ or ‘earth-worker’.
7) Harold: This boy name is derived from Old English and means ‘army leader’.
8) Hugh: Meaning ‘heart, mind, spirit’, this moniker has Germanic roots.
9) James: Derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, it means ‘he who supplants’.
10) John: A classic boy name in both France and England which mean ‘God is gracious’.
11) Philip: Meaning ‘friend of horses’, this moniker has Greek roots.
12) Richard: This name is derived from the Germanic elements ric meaning ‘power’ and hard meaning ‘brave’ or ‘strong’.
13) Robert: Derived from the Germanic elements hrod meaning ‘renown’ and beraht meaning ‘bright’.
14) Stephen: Meaning ‘garland, crown’, this boy name has Greek roots.
15) Thomas: This moniker is derived from the Aramaic word for twin and means ‘twin brother’.
16) William: Meaning ‘resolute protector’, it is derived from the Germanic Wilhelm.
French Medieval Boy Names
1) Ambroise: Meaning ‘immortal one’ in Latin, this boy name was popularized by Saint Ambrose.
2) Barthélemy: This moniker is derived from the Aramaic word for ‘son of Talmai’ and means ‘farmer’ or ‘earth-worker’.
3) Clovis: Derived from the Latin name Chlodovech, it means ‘renowned fighter’.
4) Denis: A French variation of Dionysius, this boy name means ‘follower of Dionysus’.
5) Étienne: Meaning ‘crowned one’, this old-fashioned French name has Greek roots.
6) Florian: Meaning ‘flowering’, this moniker comes from the Latin Florentius.
7) Gaston: Derived from the Germanic elements gast meaning ‘guest’ and raht meaning ‘counsel’, it means ‘brave advisor’.
8) Guillaume: This moniker is derived from Wilhelm and means ‘resolute protector’.
9) Hervé: Derived from Herbert which comes from the Germanic elements hari meaning ‘army’ and beraht meaning ‘bright’, it means ‘bright warrior’.
10) Jacques: Meaning ‘supplanter’, this name has a Hebrew origin.
11) Jean-Baptiste: Derived from John which means ‘God is gracious’
FAQs – French Male Names
What Are Some French Boy Names that Mean Love?
Some French boy names that mean love are Amour, Amoureux, and Cheri.
These names are derived from the French word for love, which is “amour.”
Other French boy names that have a similar meaning include Aimé, which means “beloved,” and Beau, which means “handsome” or “beautiful.”
What is a Cool French Name?
There are many cool French names that you might consider using for a child or as a part of a character in a story or other creative project.
Some popular French names that are considered cool include Alexandre, which means “defender of the people,” and Arnaud, which means “eagle power.”
Other cool French names include Bastien, which means “venerable,” and Damien, which means “to tame.”
These names all have a strong, powerful meaning and sound great when said out loud.
What is a Popular Boy Name in France?
One of the most popular boy names in France is Lucas.
This name has Latin origins and means “light” or “illumination.”
Other popular boy names in France include Thibault, which means “bold people,” and Louis, which is a French form of the name Lewis and means “renowned warrior.”
Other popular French boy names include Jules, which means “youthful,” and Maxime, which means “the greatest.”
What Are Some Old French Boy Names?
Some old French boy names include Henri, which means “ruler of the household,” and Marcel, which means “little warrior.”
Other old French names for boys include Gaston, which means “from Gascony,” and Raoul, which means “wise wolf.”
These names have a rich history and are steeped in the culture and traditions of France.
They are strong, classic names that have stood the test of time.
What Are the Rarest French Names?
It is difficult to determine the rarest French names because names go in and out of fashion and what is considered rare can change over time.
However, some French names that are not commonly used or that you may not have heard of before include Lirienne, which means “from Lyre,” and Gautier, which means “ruler of the army.”
Other rare French names include Yvette, which means “yew tree,” and Sébastien, which means “from Sebaste.”
These names are not commonly used in France today, but they have a unique and interesting meaning that sets them apart from more popular names.
Conclusion – Names for French Boy Names
These classic, posh, and unique French boy names all have beautiful meanings that will surely be a source of inspiration to your son.
Whether you’re looking for something traditional or modern, there are plenty of options out there!
Related
- French Girl Names
- Welsh Boy Names
- Welsh Girl Names
- Irish Girl Names
- Irish Boy Names
- Greek Boy Names
- Greek Girl Names
- Italian Boy Names
- Italian Girl Names
- German Boy Names
- German Girl Names
