French Boy Names

Are you in search of charming French names for your baby boy? Whether you want to celebrate your French heritage or just love the musicality of French names, this list of 86 options is here to help.

These names range from popular and unique to cute, beautiful, and old-fashioned, offering plenty of choices for first or middle names.

Popular French Boy Names

Aloïs

Aloïs is the French and Dutch version of Aloysius. Another version of this name is Louis.

A simpler spelling option for this name is Aloys.

Mathéo

Mathéo is a modern French version of Mateo and Matteo. The name is derived from Matthew, a biblical name meaning “gift of God” in Hebrew.

Variations in spelling include Matheo, Mattheo, Matthéo, Mattéo, and Matéo.

Raphaël

Raphaël, when the accent is removed, is easily recognizable. It is the name of a renowned Renaissance artist and also a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

The name has Hebrew origins and translates to “God heals.” Alternative spellings are Rafael, Rafaël, and Raffael.

Éliott

Éliott originates from a medieval English surname, which in turn is derived from the biblical name Elias.

Other variations in spelling are Elliot, Eliot, Ellioth, and Elliott.

Lyam

Lyam is a modern French version of the Irish name Liam, which is a shorter form of William.

This name gained popularity in the 1980s, and in France, both spellings of the name became popular around 2016.

Mylan

Mylan is used in both France and the Netherlands. The name has Slavic origins and means “gracious” or “dear.”

An Italian city shares this name, although they have different origins. Different spellings include Milan, Milann, Milàn, and Mylann.

Gabriel

Gabriel is a name found in many languages. In French, it is pronounced GA-BREE-YEHL.

It is the name of a biblical archangel and means “God is my strong man” in Hebrew. Gabriel is also mentioned in the Koran.

Théo

Théo is a shorter French form of Théodore, a name of Greek origin meaning “gift of God.” Several saints have borne this name.

Other possible spellings are Theo, Teo, and Téo.

Lucas

Lucas is a name common in many languages, not just French. It is the Latin version of the Greek name Luke, referring to someone from Lucania in Southern Italy.

The name also appears in the New Testament. Spelling variants include Loucas, Loukas, and Lukas.

Maël

Maël is a popular name in Brittany, a region in France. It likely comes from a Celtic word meaning “chieftain” or “prince.”

The name can also be spelled Mael or Maél.

Samuel

Samuel is a biblical name found in multiple languages, including French. Its Hebrew origin gives the meanings “name of God” or “God has heard.”

It is pronounced SA-MWEHL in French.

Elias

Elias is the Latin variant of Elijah, a name with origins in Hebrew meaning “God is Yahweh.”

This biblical name appears in both the Old and New Testaments. Many saints have also borne this name, often using the Latin spelling.

Variations include Elyas, Eliaz, Elijas, Eliyas, Eliyaz, Ellias, and Élyas.

Matis

Matis is the modern French spelling of Matthias, a Greek name meaning “gift of Yahweh.”

Other spellings include Mathis, Mathys, Mattis, Matiz, Mathijs, Matthijs, Matthis, Matiss, Matys, and Mathies.

Timéo

Timéo is the French version of the Spanish and Italian name Timeo, which comes from the Latinized Timaeus.

It means “to honor” in Greek and appears in the works of Plato. Other spellings are Timeo, Tymeo, and Tyméo.

Louis

Louis is pronounced LWEE in French, unlike the English pronunciation LOO-is.

It originates from the German name Ludwig, meaning “famous battle.” Eighteen French kings have borne this name, adding to its popularity and royal associations.

Unique French Boy Names

Adélard

Seen often in the French-Canadian province of Quebec, Adélard is a name of German origin meaning “noble” and “brave.”

Aldéric

Aldéric is another unique French-Canadian name, derived from the German name Aldric. The meaning of Aldéric is “old” and “mighty,” and it was the name of a ninth-century saint.

Alexandre

This French version of Alexander is well-known thanks to the famous writer Alexandre Dumas, who authored The Three Musketeers.

Amédée

Amédée comes from the Latin name Amadeus, famously known as Mozart’s middle name. It means “love of God.”

Anthelme

Originally from the German name Anthelm, Anthelme means “zeal” and “protection.” A notable bearer was a twelfth-century French bishop, and it was also the middle name of the famous French politician and gourmand Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin.

Aristide

The French and Italian form of the Greek name Aristides, Aristide has become rare. It means “the best.”

Arsène

The French version of the Greek name Arsenios, Arsène is pronounced AR-SEHN and means “virile.”

Bérenger

Pronounced BEH-RAHN-ZHEH, Bérenger is an elegant name with ancient German roots, referring to “bear” and “spear.” Historically used by royalty, it remains rare.

Côme

Derived from the Latin and Greek names Cosmas and Kosmas, Côme means “order” or “decency.” The name is pronounced KOM and became more popular in 2019.

Dieudonné

Dieudonné means “given by God” and is pronounced DYUU-DAW-NEH. It is a popular name in French-speaking African countries and is based on the Roman name Deusdedit.

Émeric

Based on the German name Emmerich, Émeric is pronounced EHM-REEK. The name means “whole ruler.”

Gaultier

Gaultier is a rarer spelling of the names Gauthier or Gautier, translating to Walter in French. Derived from German origins, it means “ruler of the army.”

Gervais

Gervais comes from the Latinized ancient German name Gervasius, the name of a saint. It is also the last name of the comedian Ricky Gervais.

Honoré

Honoré is derived from the names Honoratus or Honorius and means “honor.” It is the given name of the famous French writer Honoré de Balzac.

Maxime

Rooted in the Latin name Maximus, Maxime means “greatest.” It is highly ranked in the French-Canadian province of Quebec, and Max can be used as a nickname.

Régis

In Old French Occitan, Régis means “ruler.” It is also known as the name of the popular TV presenter Regis Philbin.

Sévère

For fans of Harry Potter, Sévère is the French version of Severus. The name means “stern” and was originally a Roman last name.

Zacharie

This playful name comes from the biblical name Zechariah, meaning “Yahweh remembers.” Zacharie appears in both the Old and New Testaments and can be shortened to Zach or Zac.

Cute French Boy Names

Adrien

Pronounced in French as A-DREE-YEHN, this name might sound feminine but it’s for boys. It originates from the Roman name Hadrian, a name shared by a Roman emperor. The name is also connected to the Adriatic Sea.

Aimé

This name means “beloved” and comes from the Latin word amata, which means “love.” Although it’s the masculine form of Aimée, it’s not very common. Its sweet meaning makes it special.

Alain

Alain is the French form of Alan. This name comes from Brittany and means either “little rock” or “handsome.” Both meanings make it a charming choice for a boy.

Arnaud

This is the French version of Arnold and is pronounced AR-NO. The name comes from German roots and means “eagle power,” a strong and impressive name for any boy.

Aubin

Derived from the ancient Roman name Albinus or Albus, Aubin means “white” or “bright.” This short and cute name also brings to mind the famous Harry Potter character.

Barnabé

This name means “son of the prophet” and has biblical origins. It’s the French form of Barnabas and sounds very charming, similar to Barnaby.

Cédric

Cédric started as an English name and gained popularity through Sir Walter Scott’s writing. Its exact meaning is unclear, but it may be related to the Old English name Cerdric. Modern references include Cedric the Entertainer.

Edmé

This name is a short form of Edmond, the French take on Edmund. It means “wealth” and “protection” in Old English. Edmé is quite rare, making it a unique choice.

Évariste

Originating from the Latin name Evaristus, Évariste means “well pleasing” in Greek. In French, it’s pronounced as EH-VA-REEST, giving it a distinct and pleasant sound.

Fabien

Fabien comes from the Latin last name Fabius, which relates to the word for “bean.” A notable historical figure with this name was a Roman general. It’s cute and quirky, especially for a young child.

Gilles

Gilles is based on the English name Giles and means “young goat” in Greek. In French, it’s pronounced ZHEEL, making it sound unique and interesting.

Guy

This name is pronounced GEE in French. Originating from Norman French, Guy also has roots in ancient Germanic names and can mean “wood” or “wide.”

Henri

Henri is pronounced AHN-REE in French but can be pronounced like Henry in Finland. It means “home ruler” and has been popular among royals.

Its popularity has decreased in France but increased in Quebec.

Hugo

Hugo is a Latin version of Hugh, meaning “heart,” “mind,” or “spirit.” It’s a great combination of meanings and is commonly found in various languages.

Joël

Pronounced YAW-EHL in French, Joël comes from Hebrew origins meaning “Yahweh is God.” The name has biblical roots, specifically from the prophet Joel.

Although it has declined in France since the 1950s, it’s gaining popularity in the United States.

Noël

This name means “Christmas” in French and is given to children born during the holiday. It has been used for both boys and girls. Noël Coward, an English playwright, was a notable bearer of this name.

Pascal

Common in French, Dutch, and German, this name has a Latin root meaning “relating to Easter.”

It originally comes from the Hebrew word pesach for Passover. Despite its complex history, it has a pleasant ring to it.

Pierre

Pierre is the French equivalent of Peter and has been well-liked in France since the thirteenth century.

Although its popularity has waned, it’s still a strong option. The name means “stone” in Greek and gained prominence from the apostle Peter.

René

René means “born again” and is of Latin origin. The female version is Renée. Both names trace back to the Roman name Renatus.

Ruben

Common in many languages, Ruben is the French form of Reuben, which means “behold, a son” in Hebrew.

Its popularity surged in France in 2014 and is a fitting choice for a baby boy.

Sylvestre

The French variant of Silvester, Sylvestre means “of the forest” in Latin. It’s an excellent name for nature enthusiasts.

Yannick

This name is derived from Yann, a Breton version of John. Known for its association with the French-Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, it’s a distinctive and charming name.

Beautiful French Boy Names

André

André is a name with wide recognition; it translates to Andrew in English. This name has roots not only in France but also in the Netherlands, Germany, and Portugal.

Although its popularity has decreased in France, it remains steady in the United States. Meaning “manly,” André carries a strong and classic appeal. In the Bible, Andrew was known as Jesus’ first disciple.

Antoine

Antoine is a widely recognized name in France, Quebec, and the United States. It has even gained popularity among African-Americans.

Originating from the Roman name Anthony, Antoine exudes power and strength. The name conjures images of historical figures like Mark Antony.

Aubert

Aubert is the French variant of Albert, which means “noble and bright.” While Albert remains common in France, Aubert offers a rarer, more unique alternative.

This name has an aristocratic and luminous charm, perfect for someone special.

Benoît

Derived from the Latin name Benedictus, Benoît translates to “blessed.” This name has a strong Christian heritage, having been borne by sixteen popes.

The French pronunciation gives it an extra touch of elegance and beauty.

Hervé

Hervé is the French equivalent of Harvey, although it sounds much more unique and beautiful in French. With Breton roots, Hervé means “battle worthy.”

It was a rare name until its revival in the 19th century, adding a touch of historic charm.

Julien

Julien is the French spelling for the more commonly known Julian. This name traces back to the Roman name Julius, bringing to mind the iconic Julius Caesar.

Julien carries an implication of valor and bravery, making it a noble choice.

Laurent

The French version of Lawrence or Laurence, Laurent means “from Laurentum,” a reference to an ancient Italian city.

Popular in France during the 1970s, Laurent has seen a decline there but an increase in popularity in Quebec. The name strikes a balance between tradition and modernity.

Olivier

Olivier is used in both French and Dutch cultures. This variant of Oliver has roots in German, Old Norse, and Latin.

In Latin, it means “olive tree,” while in Old Norse, it means “ancestor’s descendant.” The pronunciation, AW-LEE-VYEH, adds a beautiful, melodic quality to the name.

Philippe

Philippe is the French form of Philip, a name that has seen fluctuating popularity in France but remains steady in Quebec.

Of Greek origin, it means “friend of horses.” The name has been borne by many royals, making it a regal choice for any little boy.

Rainier

Rainier is the French version of the old English name Rayner, with German origins. It means “advice” and “army.”

This name brings to mind Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, who was married to the American actress Grace Kelly. It carries a sense of both strength and nobility.

Tristan

An Old French version of the Celtic name Drust, Tristan appears in various Celtic and Arthurian legends.

The name can mean “riot” or “tumult” in Celtic and “sad” in Latin. Its pronunciation, TREES-TAHN, makes it a beautiful and legendary choice for any boy.

Yves

Yves is the male counterpart to more familiar names like Yvette and Yvonne. This medieval French form of the German name Ivo means “yew,” a tree known for its longevity.

Yves offers a timeless yet contemporary feel, perfect for a lasting impression.

Old-Fashioned French Boy Names

Charles

A popular name in both English and French, Charles comes from German origins and means “man.”

It’s pronounced SHARL in French. Many royals have carried this name, including Charles the Great.

Denis

Denis is the French form of the Greek name Dionysios, the god of wine and fruitfulness.

In French, it’s pronounced DU-NEE. This name is recognizable in English as Dennis.

Didier

Derived from the Latin name Desiderius, Didier means “longing” or “desire.”

It was once common among saints before becoming popular in France during the 1960s.

Édouard

With roots in Old English, Édouard means “rich guard.” It has been used by various saints and kings, including the famous French painter Édouard Manet.

Émile

Émile means “rival” in Latin. It is a name shared by the French author Émile Zola.

Though it has declined in France, it remains popular in Quebec.

Étienne

Étienne is a French name that translates to Stephen. It originates from Greek, meaning “crown” or “wreath.”

The name became popular among Christians due to St. Stephen, the first martyr.

Eugène

Eugène means “well born” in Greek. Several saints and popes have held this name.

It gained popularity in Europe due to Prince Eugene of Savoy during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Félix

With Roman origins, Félix means “lucky” in Latin. The name has appeared in many cultures, including France, Spain, and Portugal, and was often used by saints and popes.

Gaston

Gaston comes from a German name meaning “guest” or “stranger.” It was used by a saint and several French counts.

The name might remind some of the Disney character from Beauty and the Beast.

Geoffrey

Geoffrey is a Norman French name with German roots meaning “peace” and “territory.”

The name was well-known in France and the United States at one time and could be ripe for revival.

Georges

Georges is a name linked to modern art through artists like Georges Seurat and Georges Braque.

The name means “farmer” or “earth worker” in Greek. St. George, often shown defeating a dragon, is another famous bearer.

Gérard

This name means “spear” and “brave” in German. It’s used in several languages including English, Dutch, and French.

Often confused with Gerald, Gerard carries robust historical charm.

Grégoire

Grégoire means “watchful” or “alert” in Greek. The name has been popular since the third century and was borne by 16 popes.

The French pronunciation, GREH-GWAR, adds a romantic touch.

Guillaume

Guillaume is the French version of William, coming from a Germanic name meaning “will helmet.”

It was popularized by William the Conqueror and has a unique French pronunciation, GEE-YOM.

Jean

Jean is the French equivalent of John, pronounced ZHAHN. It has been one of the most common French names since the twelfth century.

Often paired with another name, it forms combinations like Jean-Charles and Jean-Luc.

Jérôme

Jérôme gained popularity due to St. Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin.

This name means “sacred name” in Greek and has been favored in Italy and France before spreading to England.

Maurice

Maurice comes from Rome’s Maurus, meaning “Moorish.” Many saints and royals have used this name.

Pronounced MAW-REES, it’s known in English as Morris.

Thibault

Thibault means “bold people” in Germanic origins. Taken by the Normans to England, where it’s spelled Theobald, this name offers a sturdy historical resonance.

Timothée

Timothée is derived from a Greek name meaning “honoring God.”

Despite a biblical connection, it became popular post-Reformation.

Pronounced TEE-MAW-THE in French, it remains a steady favorite, partly thanks to actor Timothée Chalamet.