Rare French Boy Names
- Judoc
Origin:
BretonMeaning:
"lord"Description:
A 7th century Breton saint's name which is the origin of the names Joyce and Jocelyn (both originally masculine). St Judoc was a Breton prince who renounced his power and wealth to live as a hermit. His name would make for a handsome and unexpected alternative to popular Jude.
- Duvall
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"of the valley"Description:
Old-timey surname that's been very rarely used.
- Josselin
Origin:
French, GermanMeaning:
"member of the Gauts tribe"Description:
While the Jocelyn spelling has largely shifted into girl name territory in English speaking countries, in France, it remains a masculine option, albeit a slightly dated one, having fallen out of the Top 500 in the early 2000s. Josselin is one of the many spelling variations, popular in France between the 70s and 90s, and derived from the name of a Germanic tribe, the Geats or Gauts.
- Mathis
Origin:
French and German form of Matthias or MatthewMeaning:
"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.
- Basile
Origin:
French variation of BasilMeaning:
"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.
- Delano
Origin:
French surnameMeaning:
"from the forest of nut trees"Description:
Popular President Franklin Delano Roosevelt inspired a brief fashion for this as a first name in the 1940s; almost never heard today.
- Phinée
Origin:
French variation of Phineus or Phineas, Greek, EgyptianMeaning:
"vulture; Nubian"Description:
With a hint of nickname-y charm but plenty of sophistication, Phinée is a French form of the Biblical Phineas, usually interpreted to mean "Nubian" from its Egyptian roots, or from the Ancient Greek Phineus, borne by a king of Thrace in Greek mythology and by the uncle of Andromeda. The name possibly comes from phene meaning "vulture".
- Janvier
Description:
Janvier is a masculine French name derived directly from the Latin 'Januarius,' meaning 'January' or 'relating to Janus.' Janus was the Roman god of doorways, transitions, beginnings, and endings, depicted with two faces looking to the past and future. Traditionally, Janvier was often given to boys born in January, following a naming pattern common in many cultures of naming children after their birth month or season. The name has maintained steady use in French-speaking regions including France, Canada, Haiti, and various African countries. While not extremely common, Janvier has a sophisticated, distinctive quality with its French pronunciation (zhahn-vee-AY). The name carries connotations of new beginnings and fresh starts, reflecting its association with the first month of the year.
- Cyrille
Origin:
French from LatinMeaning:
"lordly"Description:
A unisex French name, but you may want to simplify your son's life if you're English speakers by going with Cyril. It's an unusual enough name that it doesn't need further complications of spelling and pronunciation.
- 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.
- Baptiste
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"baptist"Description:
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.
- Maxence
Origin:
French form of Latin MaximusMeaning:
"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.
- 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.
- Gaetan
Origin:
French form of the Italian GaetanoMeaning:
"of Gaeta"Description:
It's unusual, but that may be its best feature.
- Flavien
Description:
Flavien is a masculine name with ancient Roman origins, derived from the Latin name Flavius, which means 'golden' or 'yellow-haired.' It shares roots with the Latin word 'flavus' (yellow). Historically, Flavius was a prominent Roman family name, associated with the Flavian dynasty of emperors. Flavien is particularly common in French-speaking regions and has maintained steady usage in France, Belgium, and parts of Canada. The name carries an elegant, sophisticated quality with its classical heritage and melodic sound. Despite its ancient origins, Flavien has a timeless appeal that works well in contemporary settings. Parents might choose this name for its distinguished history, pleasant phonetics, and relatively uncommon status that still feels accessible and pronounceable.
- Dumas
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"of the little farm"Description:
The name of the great French novelist, author of the timeless The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, would make a surprising middle name choice.
- Fleury
Origin:
Masculine form of Fleur, FrenchMeaning:
"flower"Description:
Also used as a surname, this floral choice was the name of an 11th century French prince, and a familiar choice in France during the early 20th century. While it faded out of style in the '40s, could those looking for gentler boys names and nature connections revive Fleury?
- Vrai
Origin:
French word nameMeaning:
"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.
- Victorien
Description:
Victorien is a sophisticated masculine French name derived from the Latin 'victor,' meaning 'conqueror' or 'winner.' It's essentially the French variant of Victorian, carrying connotations of triumph and success. While more common in French-speaking regions like France, Quebec, and parts of Africa, it remains relatively rare in English-speaking countries, giving it an air of distinction and continental elegance. The name has literary associations through the renowned French author Victorien Sardou. Victorien combines traditional strength with refined character, offering the friendly nicknames Vic or Tori. Its four-syllable pronunciation (veek-toh-ree-EN) creates a melodic rhythm. The name projects confidence and achievement while maintaining a certain artistic sensibility through its French styling.
- Geraud
Origin:
French form of Gerard, GermanMeaning:
"spear strength"Description:
Geraud, as with many French variations of familiar names, makes the somewhat old-fashioned Gerard sound fresh and dashing. It's pronounced as if it ended with o, another trendy factor, though many English speakers may not get that.
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