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Rare French Boy Names

  1. 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.

  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Devere

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "of the fishing place"

    • Description:

      An original choice for a fisherman's child.
  6. Amaury

    • Origin:

      French form of Amalric

    • Meaning:

      "work power"

    • Description:

      Friendlier french form of ancient Germanic royal name Amalric or Emmerich.
  7. Maxence

    • Origin:

      French form of Latin Maximus

    • Meaning:

      "greatest"

    • Description:

      A cute and fresh way to get to Max, this was the name of a sixth century saint. Maxence is a Top 100 boys' name in France, but largely unknown in the US where it is given to only a handful of baby boys each year.
  8. Croix

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "cross"

    • Description:

      Pronounced "crwa", this unusual name was chosen by Cedric the Entertainer for his son.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. Thoreau

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "strength of a bull"

    • Description:

      A dashing French surname name most famously borne by Henry David Thoreau, an American naturalist, writer and philosopher who influenced such notable figures as Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. The most common modern American pronunciation is "thor-OH", with emphasis on the final syllable, although Thoreau himself pronounced it "THOR-oh".
  12. Étienne

    • Origin:

      French variation of Stephen, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "garland, crown"

    • Description:

      Appealingly gentle and romantic French classic--with a lot more charm than Steve.
  13. Elouan

    • Origin:

      Breton and French

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      This beautiful Breton saint's name peaked at #127 in France in 2006. It's still in the Top 500 there today, but remains almost unknown outside of France.
  14. Marceau

    • Origin:

      French variation of Marcel

    • Meaning:

      "little warrior"

    • Description:

      Mime Marcel Marceau actually had two versions of the same name. Marcel, Marceau, Marcella, Marcus, Mark -- all are variation of the Roman mythological name Mars, the god of war.
  15. Calixte

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "most beautiful"

    • Description:

      French form of Callistus or Callixtus, borne by several popes and saints.
  16. 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.
  17. 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 at #275 in its native France as of 2023.
  18. Vrai

    • Origin:

      French word name

    • Meaning:

      "true"

    • Description:

      A happy combination of several desirable genres: it's a word name, it has a foreign accent, and it has a highly virtuous meaning. And few other parents will be bold enough to choose it.
  19. Gabin

    • Origin:

      French form of the Latin Gabinus

    • Meaning:

      "of Gabium"

    • Description:

      Fans of the classic French film actor Jean Gabin might want to consider this one. Gabin is also a harmonica-playing character in the manga and anime series "Mirmo!"
  20. Kavan

    • Origin:

      Breton

    • Meaning:

      "battle"

    • Description:

      Rarely heard, and all too likely to be confused with Kevin.