User-created list
By Ducaliter · Updated May 2023
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French and Spanish, diminutive of Sebastien
"person from ancient city of Sebastia"
In this form, or as Sebastian or as Bas, Bastien is a fashionable Euro name with a possible future in America. There is a one-act comic opera by Mozart titled Bastien and Bastienne . An alternate…
French variation of Philip
"lover of horses"
Philippe, pronounced fill-EEP, is Philip with Gallic flair.
Welsh
"bear prince"
This Welsh name, also used in France, is the name of a 6th century saint who went to Brittany and established abbeys. Armel has a pleasant and familiar sound, making it easily used outside of Wales…
French
"desired, beloved"
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.
French and German
"land brilliant"
Ancient saint's name used for cowardly cartoon lion.
"servant"
In Arthurian legend, Lancelot was one of the most dashing of the Knights of the Round Table who eventually had an affair with Queen Guinevere: it makes for a romantic story-- but perhaps overly…
Breton
"shining hostage"
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…
French variation of Marcel
"little warrior"
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.
French form of Latin Maximus
"greatest"
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…
French variation of Achilles
"thin-lipped"
The French spin on the name of the great Homeric hero with the vulnerable heel seems somewhat more portable into the modern world.
Latin
"steadfast"
More likely to be spelled Constantine, this was the name of the first Christian emperor of the Roman empire, as well as three Scottish kings. Previously thought of as too bulky and unwieldy a name…
French variation of Jasper, Persian
"bringer of treasure"
Jasper is an internationally-popular name that takes many forms, among them Casper, Gaspar, and the French version Gaspard. Virtually unknown in the US, Gaspard is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in…
French, from Latin
Like Maximilian, but with an attractive French twist.
Variation of Ezra, Hebrew
"help"
Azur is a mixed up form of Ezra, a Biblical name attached to a handful of minor characters. This strong, simple name was given to 11 baby boys in the US last year.
French variation of Germanus
"from Germany"
Saint Germain, the intellectual center of Paris, lends the name a creative aura. But most Americans would say jer-mayn. The Latin Germanus may mean sprout or bud, or brother.
Jehan is a masculine name with medieval origins, representing an Old French variant of 'Jean,' which itself derives from the Hebrew name 'Yochanan' meaning 'God is gracious.' Popular during the…
"white, or, man from Alba"
An ancient and highly unusual name; St. Alban -- sometimes also called Albinus or Aubin -- was an early martyr in Roman Britain. Using an alternate spelling, Alben Barkley was the 35th U.S.…
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 variation of Patrick
Though Patrice is still common for boys in France, it has long been feminine here.
Greek
"from the east, rising sun"
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…
