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Rare French Boy Names

  1. Olivier

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "olive tree"

    • Description:

      More and more frequently heard as the Gallic version of Oliver, Olivier could be seen as a tribute to the great British actor, Sir Laurence O.
  2. Malo

    • Origin:

      Breton

    • Meaning:

      "shining hostage"

    • Description:

      Malo, the name of an important sixth century Breton saint who founded St. Malo, the charming port town in Brittany -- is considered quite au courant in France right now, ranking firmly in the Top 100.
  3. Luc

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "man from Lucania"

    • Description:

      Luc is the sleeker Gallic cousin of Luke, and if you want to know the difference between their pronunciations, just watch Kevin Kline's hilarious description in the film French Kiss. Peter Gabriel and Sean Patrick Thomas picked this version for their sons.
  4. Thierry

    • Origin:

      French variation of Theodoric

    • Meaning:

      "ruler of the people"

    • Description:

      Thierry, which is very popular in France, would make an interesting import; it's somewhat familiar through designer Thierry Mugler and international soccer star Thierry Henry. It almost sounds like Terry, but not quite.
  5. Basile

    • Origin:

      French variation of Basil

    • Meaning:

      "regal"

    • Description:

      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.
  6. Didier

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "desired, beloved"

    • Description:

      Didier is kind of a Desiree for boy--a lively, confident name that's widely used in France and has definite possibilities here. It's the name of an early French saint.
  7. Dominique

    • Origin:

      French form of Dominic, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "belonging to the lord"

    • Description:

      Unisex option Dominique peaked for boys at Number 170 in 1991, perhaps due to the popularity of basketball player Dominique Wilkins. While it has now fallen out of the popularity charts in both the US and its native France, it was still given to around 140 boys and 60 girls in a recent year. This makes it a truly gender-neutral baby name, joining the ranks with - yet standing out from - the likes of Charlie, Rowan, Parker, and Sevyn.
  8. Thibault

    • Origin:

      French from German

    • Meaning:

      "courageous people"

    • Description:

      Pronounced TEE-bow, this version, which is also a very common surname in France, has a lot more charm than the name it derives from — Theobald. A variant spelling is Thibaut.
  9. Léonie

    • Description:

      Léonie is traditionally a feminine name with French origins, though recorded here as masculine, which is unusual. The name derives from the Latin 'leo' meaning 'lion,' sharing roots with Leon and Leonard. The feminine form became popular in France and French-speaking regions, symbolizing strength and courage through its lion association. The accent mark (é) emphasizes its French pronunciation and adds a touch of elegance. Léonie experienced varied popularity throughout Europe, particularly in France, Belgium, and Switzerland. In recent decades, the name has seen renewed interest as parents seek classic names with international appeal. While predominantly feminine in usage, some cultures have traditions of gender-fluid naming. The name carries a gentle strength, combining the lion's power with a melodic, flowing sound.

  10. Anatole

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "from the east, rising sun"

    • Description:

      Anatole is one of the unique boys' names with an unusual-ish feel but an uncertain provenance, with a meaning related to sunrise and thus to fire. While it's Greek in origin, it is associated more closely with France. Anatole Kuragin is a dashing, roguish prince in Tolstoy's War and Peace.
  11. Mael

    • Origin:

      French or Breton

    • Meaning:

      "chief or prince"

    • Description:

      The name of a fifth century Breton saint, Mael is a popular boys' name in contemporary France, though it is usually spelled with a diaeresis or umlaut - Maël. Mael is the Breton spelling, and the pronunciation is almost like the English word mile, with two distinctive syllables.
  12. Aubin

    • Origin:

      French form of Albinus, Ancient Roman

    • Meaning:

      "white, blond, bright"

    • Description:

      Aubin might be seen as a fresher and more decidedly masculine twist on Aubrey, though the two are not related. This stylish French choice derives from the Roman Albinus or Albus, meaning "white, bright" or sometimes "blonde". Pronounced with a strong O sound and with a barely there 'n', the name ranked just outside the Top 200 in its native France in a recent year.
  13. Yannick

    • Origin:

      Breton

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Yannick originated as a diminutive of Yann, the Breton form of John. However, it has since become popular as a standalone name in its native region of Brittany, as well as in France as a whole, where it peaked at #31 in 1973-4. It remains well within the Top 500 in France to this day, and has also seen regular use in Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Quebec.
  14. Aurelien

    • Description:

      Aurelien is a sophisticated masculine name with French origins, derived from the ancient Roman name Aurelius, which means 'golden' or 'gilded.' This elegant name carries an air of distinction and nobility, as it was borne by several Roman emperors and saints. In modern France, Aurelien remains a consistently popular choice for boys, while internationally it offers a distinctive yet accessible option. The name conveys qualities of brilliance and warmth, often associated with creative, intellectual personalities. Aurelien provides a perfect balance between classical heritage and contemporary appeal, making it increasingly appreciated in English-speaking countries for parents seeking a name with European flair and historical depth.
  15. Mathis

    • Origin:

      French and German form of Matthias or Matthew

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      Very popular in France and Belgium, this name -- pronounced mat-tees, like the surname of the painter Matisse -- might make an appealing new way to say Matthew here.
  16. Sabien

    • Origin:

      Romanian, Bulgarian, Basque, from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from the Sabines"

    • Description:

      Sabien is a masculine name with diverse cultural connections, possibly relating to the ancient Sabine people of Italy or deriving from Latin 'sapiens' meaning 'wise.' The name may also be a variation of Sabian or Sabyan, which has connections to an ancient religious group that studied astronomy.

  17. Diggory

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "Lost one"

    • Description:

      This buoyant name has the same bouncy rhythm as Rafferty and Barnaby, but is virtually unused. It has plenty of literary cred, too: characters in The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter and Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native have all borne the name.
  18. Calixte

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "most beautiful"

    • Description:

      French form of Callistus or Callixtus, borne by several popes and saints.
  19. Alain

    • Origin:

      French, variation of Alan

    • Description:

      Alain gives the midcentury Alan a bit of gallic dash.
  20. Devere

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "of the fishing place"

    • Description:

      An original choice for a fisherman's child.