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Fabulous French Boy's Names

lottalove99
By lottalove99
Updated Thu May 25 2023
Often, we overlook French boy's names because we are preoccupied with the beautiful girl's names like Angeline and Antoinette. Here is a list of some of my favourite French names, perfect for your little boy :)
  1. Achille

    • Origin:

      French variation of Achilles

    • Meaning:

      "thin-lipped"

    • Description:

      The French spin on the name of the great Homeric hero with the vulnerable heel seems somewhat more portable into the modern world.
  2. Alexandre

    • Origin:

      French variation of Alexander

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      What's the difference between Alexander, the usual English spelling of this deeply classical name, and Alexandre, the French version? English speakers might find the proper French pronunciation challenging: a-lehk-SAHN-dreh, but that last syllable is barely pronounced. Americans might an an a or an ee on the end of the name, or simply pronounce it as Alexander, for better or worse.
  3. 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.
  4. Aurel

    • Description:

      Aurel is a masculine name with Latin origins, derived from 'Aurelius' meaning 'golden' or 'gilded'. Popular in Romania, France, and other European countries, it carries an elegant, classical feel. The name has connections to the ancient Roman family name Aurelius and to the Latin word 'aurum' for gold. While not extremely common in English-speaking countries, Aurel has maintained steady popularity in Eastern Europe. It offers a sophisticated yet accessible alternative to more common names, with a musical quality that makes it both distinctive and pleasing to the ear. Notable variations include Aurèle (French) and Aurelio (Italian, Spanish).
  5. Bastien

    • Origin:

      French and Spanish, diminutive of Sebastien

    • Meaning:

      "person from ancient city of Sebastia"

    • Description:

      In this form, or as Sebastian or as Bas, Bastien is a fashionable Euro name with a possible future in America.
  6. Bertrand

    • Origin:

      French from German

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  7. Blaise

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "to lisp, stammer"

    • Description:

      As modern as it sounds, Blaise is an ancient Christian martyr name. In Arthurian legend, Blaise is the name of Merlin the Magician's secretary. Its relation to the word and name Blaze gives it a fiery feel. Amanda Beard named her baby boy Blaise Ray.
  8. Burgundy

    • Origin:

      French place-name; also color name

    • Description:

      Ron Burgundy was Will Ferrell's fictional helmet-haired newsman, but this color name is much more suited to a girl.
  9. Calixte

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "most beautiful"

    • Description:

      French form of Callistus or Callixtus, borne by several popes and saints.
  10. Charlot

    • Origin:

      French nickname for Charles

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      The way the French allude to Charlie Chaplin could make a charming name on its own, or a hip nickname alternate to Charlie or Chuck. It's also used in the Creole community.
  11. Danton

    • Origin:

      French variation of Dante

    • Description:

      Has the two-syllable sound so popular for boys, though adding an apostrophe -- and turning it into D'Anton -- changes the name entirely.
  12. Deveraux

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "of Evreux; riverbank"

    • Description:

      Swashbuckling name worthy of a hero in a romance novel. Deveraux or Devereaux is drawn from the town of Evreux in France and combined with the prefix de- denoting it likely referred to a noble of that area.
  13. Etienne

    • Origin:

      French variation of Stephen

    • Meaning:

      "garland, crown"

    • Description:

      It's the French Steve yet feels oh so much more debonair. Well-used and still a popular classic in French-speaking lands, but one of the many French names for boysunfamiliar to most English speakers, except maybe fashionistas who associate it with designer Etienne Aigner. A new way to honor Grandpa Steve?
  14. Florent

    • Origin:

      French from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "flowering"

    • Description:

      Historically, the French and English name Florence was used for both sexes. And Florent is a steady classic in France, booming there in the 1980s. Maybe it's time to import it, and show that boys can be floral too.
  15. Fort

    • Origin:

      French, English

    • Meaning:

      "strong; a protected building, a stronghold"

    • Description:

      A saints name and a word name, this is a modern, original way to convey a powerful meaning, especially in the middle place.
  16. Gautier

    • Origin:

      French variation of Walter

    • Meaning:

      "ruler of an army"

    • Description:

      Often spelled Gauthier, this could make a distinctive way to honor Grandpa Walter, but first syllable pronounced 'goat' might be a problem.
  17. Henri

    • Origin:

      French and Finnish variation of Henry, German

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      The chic Euro spelling of Henry is rising along with the original form.
  18. Jacques

    • Origin:

      French variation of James and Jacob

    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"

    • Description:

      Regal and ancient feeling, Jacques has been declining in popularity in its native France, but in the UK, it saw a surprising revival in 2022. Jumping from somewhere around the #2500 mark straight to #600, it was seven times more popular than in 2021.
  19. 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.

  20. Jasper

    • Origin:

      Persian

    • Meaning:

      "bringer of treasure"

    • Description:

      Jasper originated as a variation of the Latin Gaspar, which ultimately derived from the Persian word ganzabara, meaning "bringer of treasure." As a given name, Jasper’s etymology is unrelated to that of the gemstone, which comes from a Semitic word meaning "speckled stone." Jasper is the usual English form for one of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to the infant Christ according to medieval tradition and appears in the Bible as a reference to the stone itself in Revelations 4:3.