Updated October 2024
Across 4 pages
of 4
French variation of Basil
"regal"
Herby and aristocratic Basil remains a tough sell, but we’d like to introduce you to Basile, the delightful French version. It retains all of Basil’s charm, but sheds some of the pesto linkage.…
French
"jewel"
Bijou is a name that lives up to its definition -- a real jewel. Warning: not unheard of on poodles' dog collars. Actress Bijou Phillips is its best known bearer. It can also be spelled Bijoux.
"from Brittany"
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…
French diminutive of Barbara, Greek
"stranger"
A less common relic of the Claudette-Paulette-Annette era. Babette's Feast is a 1987 Danish film based on a Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) story about a cook who wins the lottery and prepares an…
Bastina is a feminine name with potential roots in several cultures. It may be related to the more common masculine name Sebastian (meaning 'from Sebastia' or 'revered' in Greek), functioning as a…
"unmarried man"
Bachelor feels more like a prediction than a name.
French variation of Baldwin, German
"brave friend"
Essentially the French equivalent of Baldwin, this name carries strong historical significance, particularly in Belgium where multiple kings have borne the name. The most notable was King Baudouin I…
Baudoin is the French form of Baldwin, which literally translates to 'brave friend' or 'bold ally.' The name carries significant historical weight, having been borne by several medieval kings of…
"from Bellou"
This surname-name comes with some great connotations: Addie Ballou the American feminist, Kurt Ballou — guitarist with the band Converge, or Adin Ballou — abolitionist and pacifist. It has a trendy,…
Baltasaru is an uncommon masculine name with multicultural origins, appearing to be a variant of Balthasar or Balthazar. These names trace back to Babylonian origins and gained prominence as one of…
"baptist"
Traditionally used by the ultrareligious, the French boys' name Baptiste comes from the Greek word meaning "to dip". Baptiste is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France .
French occupational name
"fisherman"
How to spruce up Fisher or Beau? This French surname-name might be an option for a parent unafraid of the unusual. The name derives from Barbel, a type of fish, which is how it became a surname for…
"beard"
This name's all-male occupational roots help it break the Barbara bonds, but still not the most inspiring surname choice.
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…
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…
Bartholome is a masculine name with biblical and historical significance, representing a variant spelling of Bartholomew, one of Jesus's twelve apostles. Derived from the Aramaic 'bar-Talmay' meaning…
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…
Bale is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from Old English where it referred to a rounded bundle or package, or from Welsh origins where it relates to a hillside or…
"bailiff"
Offers much less than Bay.
"the beautiful field"
Pronounced Beecham, but still too fancy and fey. Likewise Beaufort (beautiful fort), Beaufoy (beautiful beech tree), and Beaumont (beautiful mountain).