French Names for Boys

Loose, lean, and lanky cowboy-sounding names have become a recent trend, but how about the name of a real one--the Singing Cowboy Gene. Autry might be thought of as a masculine spin on the fashionable Audrey or a fresher version of Austin or Auden. 
Some other cowboy surnames from the Golden Age of movie and TV westerns: Boone, Boyd, Cody, Corrigan, Gibson, Hart, Holt, Houston, McCoy and Renaldo.

Autry

Pronounced with either two or three syllables, Aymeric is a rare, French way to honor a Henry. Derived from Aimeric, itself from the Germanic Heimrich and the English Henry, Aymeric makes an unexpected twist on a classic. 
 
The name featured in the French Top 500 right up until 2020, while in the US, it has been sporadically given to a couple of boys in recent years.
 
Footballer Aymeric Laporte is a notable bearer.

Aymeric

Breton is the term for the people and language of Brittany, a region of northern France with a distinct culture.  Breton also might be thought of as a trendy modern invention, taking the midcentury surfer boy Bret or Brett and adding the current favorite boy's name ending -on and turning it into a name all its own.  Bretton is a variation.

Breton

Demetre is a masculine name of Greek origin, a variant of Demetrius, which derives from Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture and harvest. This name carries connotations of fertility and abundance. Throughout history, Demetre has been particularly common in Eastern European countries, especially Georgia, where it's considered a traditional name. In Western countries, it remains relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality. The name has maintained steady but modest usage, appealing to parents seeking a name with classical roots yet uncommon presence. Demetre combines sophistication with a slight exotic quality, and bearers of this name might appreciate its connection to ancient mythology and cultural heritage.

Demetre

Florin is one of several names derived from the Latin root floris, making it a floral and prosperous choice for boys. A relative of Flora, Florence, and Florian, this form is most popularly heard in Romania, when it has featured in the Top 20 in previous years.
 
Borne by a ninth-century Swiss saint (also known as Florinus of Remüs), the name has been more recently borne by musician Florin Salam, actor and TV personality Florin Piersic, footballer Florin Andone, and content creator Florin Vitan.
 
Pronounced as flaw-REEN or flo-REEN in Romanian, "florin" was also the name of a now obsolete gold coin, used in a variety of countries and cultures throughout history. In relation to the English coin, it would be pronounced as floh-rin.

Florin

Janvier is a masculine French name derived directly from the Latin 'Januarius,' meaning 'January' or 'relating to Janus.' Janus was the Roman god of doorways, transitions, beginnings, and endings, depicted with two faces looking to the past and future. Traditionally, Janvier was often given to boys born in January, following a naming pattern common in many cultures of naming children after their birth month or season. The name has maintained steady use in French-speaking regions including France, Canada, Haiti, and various African countries. While not extremely common, Janvier has a sophisticated, distinctive quality with its French pronunciation (zhahn-vee-AY). The name carries connotations of new beginnings and fresh starts, reflecting its association with the first month of the year.

Janvier

The fashionable occupational last name category gets some French flair with this, Tennessee Williams's middle name. 

Lanier

Doesn't everything sound better with a French accent? Sylvain, the French variation of the Roman wood god's name, sounds somehow cooler and more sophisticated than Sylvan.

Sylvain

Kids would be more likely to associate this name with the hyperactive meercat in "The Lion King" than with the ancient Greek philosopher or Shakespearean character, which could cause playground problems. 

Timon

An English surname derived from the French place name Beauvais, which in turn comes from the name of an ancient Gaulish tribe, the Bellovaci.

Bevis

One of the more subtle of the names with a royal meaning, Delroy has a vintage flavor and would be a distinctive choice today.

Delroy

An undiscovered gem with clunky, buttoned-up appeal and a literary feel thanks to poet Delmore Schwartz.

Delmore

This name of famed philosopher, mathematician and Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell becomes slightly more plausible with the French pronunciation, bare-TRAHN. Another noted bearer is French director and screenwriter Bertrand Tavernier.

Bertrand

Août is an unusual masculine name derived directly from the French word for the month of August. Pronounced 'oo' (similar to the English word 'ooh' but shorter), it's the French adaptation of the Latin 'Augustus,' named after Emperor Augustus and meaning 'majestic' or 'venerable.' While extremely rare as a first name even in French-speaking regions, it carries strong associations with summer, harvest time, and abundance. The name might be given to boys born in August, similar to how names like April or June function in English. Its uniqueness makes it striking and memorable, though its pronunciation may present challenges in non-French speaking areas. As a name, Août represents a bold choice that connects a child to French language and culture.

Août

Bernon is a masculine name with Germanic roots, likely derived from elements meaning 'bear' (bern) and possibly 'strength' or 'protection.' It can be considered a variant of names like Vernon or Bernard, though with its own distinct character. Bernon has maintained a steady but uncommon presence throughout Western naming history, never reaching widespread popularity but persisting across generations. The name carries a dignified, somewhat old-world charm that evokes images of steadfastness and reliability. In modern usage, Bernon might appeal to parents seeking a traditional-sounding name that isn't commonly heard, maintaining the strong consonant sounds of classic masculine names while offering a unique alternative to more popular choices.

Bernon

Bernardin is a masculine name with French and Germanic roots, serving as a diminutive form of Bernard. Derived from the elements 'bern' (bear) and 'hard' (brave, strong), Bernardin essentially means 'little brave bear' or 'young strong bear.' This sophisticated variation has been particularly used in French-speaking regions and among Catholic families, as it recalls St. Bernardine of Siena, a 15th-century Franciscan missionary. Despite its elegant sound and historical connections, Bernardin remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with European flair and historical depth without being commonly encountered.

Bernardin

Ambroise is the French form of the Latin name Ambrosius, which is derived from the Greek word 'ambrosia,' meaning 'immortal' or 'divine.' This name carries connotations of longevity and heavenly association. Ambroise was popularized by several saints, most notably Saint Ambrose of Milan, a 4th-century bishop and Doctor of the Church. In France, this classic name has maintained steady, though modest, usage throughout the centuries. While Ambroise never reached tremendous popularity in English-speaking countries, it remains appreciated for its sophisticated sound and rich historical connections. The name evokes a sense of timeless elegance with its mellifluous pronunciation and distinguished heritage.

Ambroise

If you're seeking a French artist name that goes beyond Monet and Manet, Daumier -- known for his revealing caricatures -- makes a rich, sophisticated choice. 

Daumier

The least usable of the Three Musketeers names. 

D'artagnan

Bernot is a masculine name with French and Germanic origins, likely derived as a variant or diminutive of Bernard. The root name Bernard combines the Germanic elements 'bern' meaning 'bear' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'strong,' thus conveying the meaning 'strong as a bear.' Bernot is considerably rare, even in France where it occasionally appears as a surname. As a given name, it offers a distinctive alternative to the more common Bernard, maintaining the strong etymological connection to courage and strength while having a softer ending. The name carries an old-world European charm and might appeal to parents seeking a name with historical resonance but minimal current usage.

Bernot

French boy names include some classics that have become widely popular, most notably Charles, Louis, and Dennis. Along with Charles and Louis, the French boys' ranking in the US Top 1000 include Andre, Beau, Blaise, Bruce, Chance, Chase, Curtis, Darrell, Denver, Dion, Josue, Remy, and Royal. 

 attracting fresh attention in the US include Dion, Emilien, Florent, Jules, Lionel, Montague, Pom, and Quincy.

 are Gabriel, Leo, and Raphael. French boy names most popular in France include Mael, Jules and Corentin. 

Most popular boy names in other French-speaking countries are a mix of French and non-French choices. Louis and Jules are the only French names among

, which is led by the Hebrew Noah and the Celtic Arthur. 

, with Louis the only French boys' name in the Top 10. And in French Quebec, Olivier and Antoine are the most popular French boy names.



Browse our complete collection of French boys' names here. The names are ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry, which is updated monthly.

French baby boy names popular in the US and in France, including tradition French boy names such as Charles and Louis, with meanings, origins, and popularity. (Page 10)

270+ French Boy Names