220+ French Cat Names (with Meanings & Popularity)
- Matisse
Origin:
Art nameDescription:
The surname of the great artist is pronounced the same way as Mathis, the German and French form of Matthew, so it's not a stretch for use as a first name.
- Silvester
Origin:
Latin, "wood, forest"Meaning:
"wood, forest"Description:
More commonly spelled as Sylvester in English speaking countries, Silvester is closer to its Latin origins silva . Sharing a root with Silas, Sylvia, and Sylvie, this form saw occasional use in the US in the early 20th century, and may be used in Slavic countries, such as Czechia and Slovakia
- Bijou
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"jewel"Description:
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.
- Noel
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"Christmas"Description:
Noel, the French word for Christmas has been given to both boys and girls born on that holiday since the Middle Ages. For girls it's often spelled Noelle.
- Axelle
Origin:
French feminine form of AxelMeaning:
"father of peace"Description:
Putting the emphasis on the "elle" softens a name that seems at once futuristic and medieval.
- Bertrand
Origin:
French from GermanMeaning:
"magnificent crow"Description:
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.
- Roselle
Origin:
Combination of Rose and ElleDescription:
Most contemporary parents would probably opt for the more streamlined Elle.
- Desi
Origin:
Short form of Desiree, FrenchMeaning:
"desired"Description:
Desi makes Desiree a lot cuter and more boyish.
- Vitus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"life"Description:
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 mean life.
- Napoleon
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"lion of the new city"Description:
Overly ambitious choice, recently borne by the hapless hero of cult movie hit Napoleon Dynamite.
- Maison
Origin:
French word nameMeaning:
"house"Description:
Mason with a French accent. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2012, and it will likely hang on for as long as its brother-in-spelling-variations, Mayson.
- Lucie
Origin:
French, EnglishMeaning:
"light"Description:
The French spelling of Lucy feels particularly light and shimmery.
- Ambre
Origin:
French variation of Amber, English word nameDescription:
In the US Amber is stuck in the '80s, while Ambre is a fresh choice in France.
- Laverne
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"springlike"Description:
Although it has a sweet meaning, this name feels dated nowadays, like a fifties poodle skirt. Lavender may be a fresher alternative.
- Allura
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"to entice, attract"Description:
Sounds like a princess -- or an enticingly evil witch -- in a fairy tale.
- Antionette
Origin:
Variation of Antoinette, French feminine form of Anthony, LatinMeaning:
"from Antium"Description:
There may be some parents who deliberately transpose the i and the o in this name, pronouncing it an-tee-oh-net. And then there are those parents who are just spelling Antoinette differently.
- Bernon
Description:
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.
- Bastienne
Origin:
Variation of Sebastienne, FrenchMeaning:
"person from Sebastia"Description:
Rare French option for girls, but feels familiar thanks to the popularity of Sebastian.
- Breton
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"from Brittany"Description:
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.
- Chardonnay
Origin:
French, a dry white wineDescription:
If you're actually considering this as a name for your child, you must have had a glass too many. But it's an awesome name for a white cat.
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