Are you looking for French baby names for boys? We’ve got you covered with this list of the top 12 French baby names, including both classic and modern options.
With such a rich history behind them, there’s no shortage of inspiration for parents-to-be who want to give their little ones a legacy that goes beyond what we’re currently seeing in Hollywood.
The 12 French baby names for boys
Henri
Henri (hɛn’rĭ)
Pronunciation: This name is pronounced ‘HEN-ree.’
Meaning: The name Henri is derived from Hebrew origin and means “favored by God.” Henri was a French king who reigned from 1549 to 1559 and founded the House of Bourbon.
Famous bearers of this name include French kings Henry IV and Louis XIII and author Henry James. In the United States, it was one of the most popular names for boys in the 1960s; however, its popularity has declined considerably since then.
Remy
The name Remy means “advice, counsel” in French, so it can be a pleasant reminder to your son that he has some sage wisdom to share with the world.
It also sounds like the word “remedy,” which is a nice way of saying that he’s got what it takes to fix everything when things go wrong.
The name is pronounced ree-MAH and was popularized by one of the most famous French artists ever: Rembrandt van Rijn (also known as Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn).
Luc
Luc is a French baby name that means “light.” It is one of the most popular names in France, with over 17 thousand boys born each year. The pronunciation varies slightly by region: [luk] in Paris and [loo-say] in Lyon and Marseille.
The name has been around since Biblical times but became more popular after the French Revolution when it was adopted as a form of “Lucianus” (a Roman name) by people who wanted to show their loyalty to new monarchs who didn’t want anything to do with Catholicism or other religions.
Jules
Jules: Meaning “youthful,” Jules is a popular name for boys in France. It’s also the name of a French novelist and journalist who was born in Nimes, France.
Julien: Julien is a variation on Jules and means “youthful.” The name has been appearing on US charts since 2013, but it’s not as common among English speakers to use the “j” instead of the “g” at the start of words like Julian or Julius.
Julien: Julien is another way to spell out Julian (meaning “youthful”) with an extra letter tacked onto it! This spelling isn’t as popular among English speakers as Julian/Julianne, but you may see it here and there.
Emilien
Emilien is a French name meaning “strong.” This is a great choice for a baby boy because it’s both meaningful and easy to pronounce for non-French speakers. It’s also popular in France; Emilien was the seventh most common male name there in 2012.
The name Emile has been around since the Middle Ages, so you might find some versions of this name that sound more modern than others (like Emile or even Emil).
If you prefer something more traditional but still unusual, try variations like Elie or Emeric!
Maxime
Maxime: Max is an old Germanic name meaning “greatest,” while Maxie is a variant on the Latin Maximinus, which translates to “greatest.”
This is a very popular French baby name for boys and has gained popularity in the past decade.
It’s currently #279 on Nameberry’s list of top 200 names for boys but only ranked #839 on SSA’s list of most popular names for babies born in 2017.
The name means “greatest” or “most important,” which makes it perfect if you’re looking for something special!
Mylan
Mylan is a French name that means “great” or “mighty.” A popular baby name in France and the United States, Mylan has several variations, including Myles, Milan, and Melin.
The meaning of this name can be traced back to Greek mythology. In Greek legend, Mylenos was one of two sons born to Agenor, who ruled over Phoenicia (what is now Lebanon).
The name has been used in France since the 16th century but didn’t become popular until about the early 20th century when it became associated with famous people such as singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg (1928-1991).
Pierre
The next name on the list of French baby names for boys is Pierre. Pierre is a French name that means rock. It’s popular in France, other French-speaking countries, and the United States. It was ranked number 194 out of 1000 names for boys born in 2016.
The meaning of “rock” isn’t exactly as obvious from Pierre as it sounds to English ears: if you hear it pronounced properly (PEER), you’ll see where the connection comes from. This can be hard to get used to at first, but trust us when we say that once you’ve gotten used to saying Pierre all day long, there’s no going back!
Dylan
Dylan is a popular name in English, Irish, and Welsh. It’s a variant of the name Dylan, which means “son of the sea,” from the Welsh word “dylanw” (meaning wave).
In England, this name has been used since 1976. In France, it was first given to boys born in 1994 and 1995.
Raphaël
The name Raphaël means “God heals,” and it’s a popular choice for boys. It’s pronounced Ruh-fay-ELL.
The name reached its highest popularity in the 1970s when it was ranked #1 in France. The name is still quite common today, but it does not appear on the top 1,000 most popular names list for France as of 2018.
If you’re looking for similar names, consider Raphaëlle (RAH-fay-EL) or Raphael (rah-FAYL).
Théo
The next name on the list of French baby names for boys is Théo. The name Théo means “gift from god,” and it is a common choice for boys.
It’s pronounced TAY-oh or TYEH-oh. The name reached its highest popularity in France in 2015 when it was ranked #71, but it has since fallen out of favor.
Aloïs
The name Aloïs means “noble, honorable” and it is a common choice for boys. It’s pronounced AH-lwee or AH-loh-ees.
The name reached its highest popularity in France in 2015, when it was ranked #82.
Conclusion
There are many great names on this list to consider if you’re looking for a new one. I hope our guide has helped you narrow down your options and find one that fits your style and aesthetic. If nothing else, hopefully, you’ve learned some fun facts about these French baby names!
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