1200+ French Names (with Meanings and Popularity)
Across 61 pages
of 61
Gervais
Spelling variation of Gervaise, French
"skilled with a spear"
Gervais is a masculine name of French origin, derived from the Germanic elements 'ger' meaning 'spear' and 'wis' meaning 'wise,' together translating to 'skilled with the spear.' The name was borne…
Guilbert
Guilbert is a masculine name of Germanic and Old French origins, essentially a variant of Gilbert. The name combines the Germanic elements 'gisil' meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage' and 'beraht' meaning…
Gilles
Gilles is a French masculine name derived from the Latin name Aegidius, which means 'shield' or 'young goat'. Popular throughout medieval France, Gilles became associated with the 7th-century hermit…
Godefroi
Godefroi is a masculine name of Old Germanic origin, representing the medieval French form of Godfrey or Geoffrey. The name combines the elements "god" (god) and "frid" (peace), literally meaning…
Grégoire
Grégoire is the French form of Gregory, a name with ancient Greek origins derived from "gregorein," meaning "watchful" or "vigilant." The name carries a distinguished heritage, with numerous…
Guillaume
French variation of William, German
"resolute protection"
An everyday name in France, a charismatic possibility elsewhere, Guillaume is a French form of the classic Germanic William. It's heyday was back in the 1980s and 90s, when it ranked in the French…
Vitus
Latin
"life"
No-no appelation of a child saint and martyr whose name is a term for the nervous condition known as Saint Vitus' Dance. Its one recommending feature is that it's among the elite group Boy names that…
Gui
Short form of Guillermo, Spanish form of William
"resolute protection"
It's tempting to think of Gui as the Spanish form of Guy, but it's short for Guillermo.
Hadrien
French variation of Hadrian
What life Hadrien and Hadrian enjoy today, they owe to Adrian along with the revival of ancient Roman names in general. Hadrian was a 2nd century Roman emperor famous for his wall.
Hazard
French
"chance, luck"
Chance has risen far on the baby-naming charts, but Hazard has a considerably more dangerous edge. It was the middle name of famed US naval commander Oliver Hazard Perry.
Henri
French and Finnish variation of Henry, German
"estate ruler"
The chic Euro spelling of Henry is rising along with the original form.
Hebert
Hebert is a masculine name with Germanic origins, functioning primarily as a surname that has occasionally transitioned to first-name usage. It represents a variant spelling of Herbert, which…
Hercule
Hercule is a masculine name directly derived from Greek mythology, serving as the French variant of Hercules, the legendary hero known for his extraordinary strength and twelve labors. Made…
Hervé
French
"battle worthy"
Hervé was a legendary French saint, patron of the blind, who performed many miracles -- it's a lot more sophisticated than the English Harvey.
Hewett
French, diminutive of Hugh
Hugh plus.
Hilaire
French from Latin
"cheerful"
Hilaire, a name that has rarely been exported out of its native France, was originally bestowed in honor of the fourth century bishop and theologian St. Hilaire of Poitiers.
Hippolyte
French from Greek
"releaser of horses"
Hippolyte is the name of an Amazonian princess AND her son, both unfortunate mythical figures. The name Hippolyte, later borne by several saints, is a not an uncommon boys' name in France, but has…
Honoré
French variation of Latin
"honored one"
A name that is truly honored in France, as the name of several saints, artists like Daumier, and writers like Balzac.
Onfroi
Onfroi is a masculine name of Germanic origin that evolved through Old French. It derives from the Germanic elements "hun" (meaning bear cub or warrior) and "frid" (peace). Onfroi is a medieval…
Ignace
Ignace is the French form of Ignatius, derived from the Latin name Ignatius, which may come from the Roman family name Egnatius of Etruscan origin. The name gained prominence through St. Ignatius of…