270+ French Boy Names
- Nazaire
Origin:
French from LatinMeaning:
"Nazareth"Description:
Saint-Nazaire is a harbor town in France; the name relates to Nazareth, where Jesus lived as a child. Two possible variations: Nazarius, an Italian martyr, and Nazario.
- Delroy
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"servant of the king"Description:
One of the more subtle of the names with a royal meaning, Delroy has a vintage flavor and would be a distinctive choice today.
- Frédéric
Origin:
French, from GermanMeaning:
"peaceful ruler"Description:
The chic French form of Frederick, Frédéric was popular in France in the middle of the 20th century. This is famously the French name of composer Frédéric Chopin (born Fryderyk Chopin).
- Barraud
Description:
Barraud is a masculine name with French origins, functioning primarily as a surname before occasionally being adopted as a given name. It derives from ancient Germanic elements, possibly related to 'bern' (bear) combined with 'wald' (rule), or from a local place name. The name traveled to England with the Norman Conquest and established itself as a distinguished family name. As a first name, Barraud is exceedingly rare, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive name with aristocratic overtones. Its uncommon status gives it a sophisticated and distinguished quality, making it stand out in any setting while maintaining links to European heritage.
- Salinger
Origin:
French, Saint LégerDescription:
Fervent fans of The Catcher in the Rye might want to consider this as a literary tribute. More mainstream alternative: Holden.
- Isaï
Description:
Isaï is a masculine name representing a variation of Isaiah, which comes from Hebrew origins meaning 'salvation of God' or 'God is salvation.' The name holds biblical significance as Isaiah was a major prophet in the Old Testament. This particular spelling, with the diaeresis over the 'i', reflects French or other European linguistic influences. Isaï maintains the spiritual depth of its biblical roots while offering a more distinctive international flair. The name has a melodic, flowing quality despite its brevity. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Isaï enjoys more recognition in French-speaking regions and among families seeking names with religious significance but contemporary appeal. The name conveys spirituality, wisdom, and cultural richness.
- Terre
Origin:
French word nameMeaning:
"earth"Description:
An intriguing but challenging choice, because of possible confusion with all the Terry-type names.
- Gérard
Description:
Gérard is a masculine French name derived from the Germanic elements "ger" meaning "spear" and "hard" meaning "brave" or "hardy." This name has been popular throughout France and French-speaking regions for centuries, with its peak popularity occurring during the mid-20th century. The accent mark gives it a distinctly French pronunciation (zhay-RAHR). Internationally, the name gained recognition through notable figures like French actor Gérard Depardieu. While traditional in France, it has a sophisticated, continental flair in English-speaking countries. Though its usage has declined in recent decades as more modern names have gained favor, Gérard maintains an air of classic dignity and European elegance.
- Fabrice
Origin:
French, from LatinMeaning:
"skilled craftsman"Description:
There are plenty of French guys named Fabrice, but here, it sounds more like a laundry product.
- Marcellin
Description:
Marcellin is a masculine name with French origins, derived from the Latin name 'Marcellinus,' which is a diminutive of Marcus meaning 'dedicated to Mars' (the Roman god of war). This elegant name has historical significance in Catholic tradition, with several saints bearing the name, including St. Marcellin Champagnat, a French priest who founded the Marist Brothers. While not extremely common in English-speaking countries, Marcellin maintains steady popularity in French-speaking regions, particularly in France, Quebec, and parts of Switzerland. The name conveys a sense of gentleness combined with classical dignity. Some variations include Marcelin, Marcelino (Spanish), and Marcellino (Italian).
- Bartholmieu
Description:
Bartholmieu is a rare masculine name that serves as a French variant of Bartholomew. Derived from the Aramaic 'bar-Talmay,' meaning 'son of Talmay' or 'son of the furrows,' it has ancient biblical connections as one of Jesus's twelve apostles. The French influence gives this version a sophisticated, aristocratic quality with its distinctive spelling and pronunciation. Unlike the more common Bartholomew or Bart, Bartholmieu has remained exceedingly rare in English-speaking countries, making it an exceptionally unique choice. The name carries historical gravitas while evoking medieval French heritage. Parents seeking a truly distinctive name with classical roots might appreciate Bartholmieu's combination of historical depth and uncommon status.
- Duvall
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"of the valley"Description:
Old-timey surname that's been very rarely used.
- Parnell
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"little Peter"Description:
Likable choice for history-minded parents who might want to honor Irish patriot Charles Parnell.
- Vitalis
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"of life, vital"Description:
Borne by a number of early saints, it comes from the Latin word for life.
- Ranier
Description:
Ranier is a masculine name of Germanic origin, a variation of Rainier or Reginald, derived from "ragin" (advice) and "hari" (army), meaning "powerful army" or "wise warrior." The name carries royal associations through historical figures like Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Ranier blends sophistication with strength, offering a distinctive alternative to more common names like Raymond or Ryan. While never reaching mainstream popularity in English-speaking countries, it maintains steady usage among parents seeking an elegant yet strong name with European flair and historical depth.
- Godefroi
Description:
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 "God's peace" or "divine peace." Godefroi was popularized during the Crusades, notably through Godefroi de Bouillon, a Frankish knight who became one of the leaders of the First Crusade and the first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. This historical name carries a strong sense of nobility and medieval heritage. While uncommon in modern usage, particularly outside of French-speaking regions, Godefroi offers a distinctive classic option with rich historical associations. The name's traditional character and French pronunciation give it an aristocratic quality that appeals to parents seeking a name with historical depth and European flair.
- Guilbert
Description:
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 'bright' or 'famous.' Guilbert was moderately common in medieval Europe, particularly in France, but has become quite rare in modern times. It carries an aristocratic, somewhat old-fashioned charm with its silent 'u' spelling that follows French orthographic traditions. While Gilbert experienced some popularity in the early 20th century, Guilbert has remained an uncommon choice, appealing to parents drawn to names with historical depth and sophisticated European flair.
- Lemar
Description:
Lemar appears to have multiple possible origins. It could be a variant of Lamar, which itself may derive from French geographic place names (such as the French municipality La Mar) or from the French 'la mer' meaning 'the sea.' Alternatively, it might represent a variant spelling of Leomer or Leomaris, which have Latin roots. The name has been in use in various regions including Europe and North America. Lemar gained some visibility in the early 2000s through British singer Lemar Obika, who goes by the mononym Lemar. The name has maintained modest but consistent usage across different communities. Its appeal may stem from its melodic quality and versatility across different language contexts. Spelling variations include Lamar, Leomar, and Lamor, with each having slightly different usage patterns and regional preferences.
- Vermont
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"green mountain"Description:
Place-name waiting to be discovered.
- Barthélemy
Description:
Barthélemy is the French form of Bartholomew, derived from the Aramaic name Bar-Talmay, meaning "son of Talmai" or "son of the furrows." This distinguished name carries significant historical weight as one of Jesus's twelve apostles in the New Testament. In France, Barthélemy has been used since medieval times, with Saint Barthélemy's Day (August 24) marking a notable event in French history—the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 1572. The name has an elegant, aristocratic quality with its French pronunciation (bar-tay-lay-MEE). While not commonly used in modern France, it maintains a classic, sophisticated appeal. The name appears occasionally in French literature and historical contexts, contributing to its cultured image.