France has long been associated with sophistication, elegance, and romance. As a result, French boy names have a certain charm and appeal that many parents find irresistible. French names offer many options, whether you’re looking for a name that exudes class and refinement or something more unique and offbeat.
But with so many names to choose from, it can be overwhelming to find the right one for your little one. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our top 100 French masculine names to help you in your search.
In This Article
100 French Boy Names and Meanings
We’ve curated a list of our top French male names to help you find the perfect name for your baby.
Adrien
Adrien is derived from the name Hadrianus, which means "from Hadria", a town in northern Italy.
Alexandre
Alexandre is a French boy's name derived from the Greek name Alexandros, which means "defender of the people".
Alexis
Alexis is derived from the Greek name Alexios, which means "defender" or "helper". Alexis is a versatile French name that can be given to both boys and girls.
Anatole
Anatole is a charming French name that is associated with the rising sun and the east. It is derived from the Greek name Anatolios, which means "sunrise".
Antoine
Antoine is derived from the Latin name Antonius, which means "priceless" or "inestimable".
Arthur
Arthur is a French boy's name with Celtic roots and it means "bear." It was a popular name among British kings, but the legendary King Arthur of Camelot is the most famous bearer of the name.
Auguste
Auguste is a French name derived from the Latin word "augustus," which means "great" or "magnificent." The name has been used by several notable French figures, including the sculptor Auguste Rodin and the philosopher Auguste Comte.
Aurélien
Aurélien is a French boy's name of Latin origin, meaning "golden." It was a popular name in ancient Rome, and several Roman emperors bore this name.
Baptiste
Baptiste is a name of Greek origin, meaning "to baptize." It was a popular name among early Christians, and Saint John the Baptist is the most famous bearer of the name.
Blaise
Blaise is a Latin name that means "to lisp, to stammer." It was originally a surname given to people with speech impediments. The most famous bearer of the name is Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher who made significant contributions to the development of calculus.
Boniface
Boniface is a Latin name that means "doer of good." It was a popular name among early Christians, and Saint Boniface is the most famous bearer of the name. He was a missionary who helped to convert the Germanic tribes to Christianity.
Boris
Boris is a French name with Slavic origins that means "fighter, warrior." It is a popular name in many Eastern European countries and was introduced to France in the early 20th century. The most famous bearer of the name is Boris Yeltsin, the first president of the Russian Federation.
Cédric
Cédric is a Breton name that means "bounty of the sea." It was popularized by Sir Walter Scott's novel "Ivanhoe," which featured a character named Cedric the Saxon.
Célestin
Célestin is a French name with Latin roots that means "heavenly." It was a popular name among early Christians and was often given to children born during the Christmas season.
Charles
Charles is a Germanic name that means "free man." It was a popular name among European royalty and has been used by many famous figures throughout history.
Clément
Clément is a classic French name that has been popular since the Middle Ages. Clément Ader was a French inventor and aviation pioneer who built the first successful flying machine in 1890.
Côme
Côme is a French name with Greek origins that means "order" or "decency". It is a relatively uncommon name in France, but has been borne by notable figures such as the politician Côme Carbonnel and the footballer Côme Aguiar.
Damien
Damien is a Greek name that means "to tame" or "subdue". It gained popularity in France during the 20th century and has been borne by notable figures such as the artist Damien Hirst and the musician Damien Rice.
Denis
Denis is a French name of Greek origin, meaning "follower of Dionysus". Saint Denis was a Christian martyr and patron saint of France who was beheaded in the 3rd century.
Dieudonné
Dieudonné is a French name meaning "gift of God".
Edouard
Edouard is a classic French name that means "wealthy guardian."
Eliott
Eliott is a French variation of the name Elijah, which means "Jehovah is God." It is a popular name in France, and its popularity has spread to other countries as well.
Emilien
Emilien is a French boy's name that means "to strive or excel." It is a variant of the name Emile.
Etienne
Etienne is a French name for boys that means "crown" or "garland". It is the French form of the name Stephen.
Eugène
Eugène is a French name with Greek origins that means "well-born". It was a popular name in France during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Fabien
Fabien is a French name that means "bean grower."
Felix
Felix is a French name that means "happy" or "fortunate."
Florent
Florent is a French boy's name that means "blooming."
Florian
Florian is a Latin name that means "flowering" or "blooming". It was a popular name among early Christians, with Saint Florian being one of the most well-known.
Gabriel
Gabriel is a Hebrew name that means "God is my strength". It is often associated with the archangel Gabriel in Judeo-Christian tradition and is a popular name among Christians.
Gaston
Gaston is a French boy's name that means "from Gascony". It was a popular name in the 19th century and is often associated with the character Gaston in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast".
Gautier
Gautier is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army". It is the French form of the name Walter.
Geoffrey
Geoffrey is a Germanic and French name that means "pledge of peace". It was a popular name in medieval England, with Geoffrey Chaucer being one of the most well-known bearers of the name.
Gérard
Gérard is a French name that means "brave with a spear."
Guillaume
Guillaume is a French name that means "resolute protector." It is a variant of the name William.
Gustave
Gustave is a French name that means "staff of the Goths." The name is associated with the famous French engineer Gustave Eiffel, who designed the Eiffel Tower
Hector
Hector is a French form of the Greek name Hektor, which means "steadfast." In Greek mythology, Hector was a Trojan prince and warrior who was killed by the Greek hero Achilles during the Trojan War.
Henri
Henri is a French name for boys that means "ruler of the household."
Hippolyte
Hippolyte is a French form of the Greek name Hippolytos, which means "freer of horses." In Greek mythology, Hippolytus was a prince who was killed by his own horses after he was falsely accused of trying to rape his stepmother.
Honoré
Honoré is a French name that means "honor" or "respect." It is derived from the Latin word "honorus." The name was popularized in France in the 17th century by Saint Honoré, the patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs.
Hugo
The French name Hugo has Germanic origins and means "mind" or "intellect". It gained popularity in France due to Victor Hugo, the famous French author of "Les Misérables".
Igor
Igor is a Scandinavian and French name that means "warrior". It was popularized in the 20th century by the composer Igor Stravinsky and the aircraft designer Igor Sikorsky.
Isidore
Isidore is a French boy's name that has Greek origins and means "gift of Isis". It was a popular name among early Christians, with Saint Isidore of Seville being one of the most well-known. The name was also used by the poet Isidore Ducasse, who wrote under the pseudonym Comte de Lautréamont.
Jacques
Jacques is a French name that means "supplanter". It is the French form of the name Jacob and is often associated with famous French figures such as the explorer Jacques Cousteau and the philosopher Jacques Derrida.
Jérémy
Jérémy is a French name with Hebrew origins that means "appointed by God". It gained popularity in the 1980s and is often associated with contemporary French figures such as the footballer Jérémy Mathieu and the tennis player Jérémy Chardy.
Julien
Julien was borne by several early Christian saints, including Saint Julian the Hospitaller. The French name is derived from the Latin name Julianus, which means "of Julius."
Kevin
Kevin is a modern French name that was first introduced to the French language in the mid-20th century. The name is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which means "kind, gentle, handsome." Saint Kevin was an early Irish saint who founded a monastery in Glendalough, County Wicklow.
Laurent
Laurent is a French form of the Roman name Laurentius, which means "from Laurentum." Laurentum was an ancient city in Latium, Italy, which was known for its laurel groves. Saint Laurence was a 3rd-century Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron.
Léon
Léon is a French form of the Latin name Leo, which means "lion." In French literature, Léon is the name of the male protagonist in Gustave Flaubert's novel "Madame Bovary."
Lionel
Lionel is a French diminutive of the name Leon, which means "lion." It was first introduced to England by the Normans in the 11th century. Lionel was a popular name among the nobility during the Middle Ages, and it was borne by several medieval kings of England.
Loïc
Loïc is a popular name in France and is derived from the Germanic name Ludwig, meaning "famous warrior". The name is often used in Brittany, a region in northwest France known for its Celtic heritage.
Louis
Louis is a French name meaning "famous warrior". It has been used by many kings of France, including Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King.
Lucas
Lucas is a French name meaning "bringer of light". It is derived from the Latin name Lucius. The name is often associated with the biblical figure Saint Luke, who was the author of the Gospel of Luke.
Ludovic
Ludovic is a French name meaning "famous warrior". It is a variant of the Germanic name Ludwig. The name is often associated with the legendary King Louis IX, who is the only French monarch to be canonized as a saint.
Marceau
Marceau is a French name meaning "hammer". It is derived from the Latin name Marcus. The name is often associated with the famous mime artist Marcel Marceau, who was born in Strasbourg, France.
Marcel
Marcel is a French boy's name that means "little warrior". It was most popular in the early 20th century, and has been borne by several notable French artists and intellectuals. Marcel Proust, the author of "In Search of Lost Time," is perhaps the most famous bearer of this name.
Martin
Martin is a French name derived from the Latin name "Martinus," meaning "warrior of Mars." It has been borne by several notable figures throughout history, including Saint Martin of Tours and Martin Luther King Jr.
Mathieu
Mathieu is a French form of the name Matthew, which means "gift of God."
Maxence
Maxence is a French boy's name derived from the Latin name Maximus, which means "greatest."
Maxime
Maxime is a French name derived from the Latin name Maximus, which means "greatest."
Michel
Michel is a classic French name with Hebrew roots meaning "Who is like God". Michel de Montaigne is one of the greatest philosophers of the French Renaissance.
Nazaire
Nazaire is a French name that means "From Nazareth".
Nicolas
Nicolas is a French name that means "Victory of the people".
Noé
Noé is a French name that means "Rest, comfort". It is the French form of the biblical name Noah, which means "rest" or "comfort". Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance is a French designer who has worked with major luxury brands such as Cartier and Christian Lacroix.
Olivier
Olivier is a French boy's name that means "Olive tree". Olivier Giroud is a French footballer who played for Chelsea F.C. and the French national team.
Pascal
Pascal is a French name for boys that means "Easter." It was traditionally given to boys born during the Easter season.
Paul
Paul is a classic French name that means "small." The most famous bearer of the name is Saint Paul, who was an early Christian missionary and author of several books of the New Testament.
Pierre
Pierre is a popular French boy's name that means "stone." One of the most famous bearers of the name is Pierre Trudeau, who served as the Prime Minister of Canada for 15 years in the 20th century.
Raoul
Raoul is a French name that means "wolf council." One of the most famous bearers of the name is Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish architect and businessman who saved thousands of Jews during World War II.
Raphaël
Raphaël is a French name that means "God has healed." It is a biblical name that has been used for centuries. One of the most famous bearers of the name is the Italian artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, commonly known as Raphael, who is considered one of the greatest painters of the Renaissance.
Régis
Régis is a French boy's name that means "ruler" or "king". The name was originally derived from the Latin name "Rex", which means "king". It was commonly used as a first name among French nobility during the Middle Ages.
Rémi
Rémi is a French boy's name that means "oarsman". Rémi Gaillard is a French comedian who gained fame for his humorous and often controversial pranks.
Renaud
Renaud is a French boy's name that means "wise ruler". It is derived from the Germanic name "Reginald". Renaud Camus is a French writer known for his works on culture, politics, and homosexuality.
Richard
Richard is a French name that means "brave ruler". It is derived from the Germanic name "Ricohard". Richard Feynman was an American physicist known for his contributions to quantum mechanics and particle physics.
Robert
Robert is a French name for boys that means "bright fame". It is derived from the Germanic name "Hrodebert". Robert De Niro is an American actor known for his roles in iconic movies such as The Godfather Part II and Taxi Driver.
Rodolphe
Rodolphe is a French boy's name that means "famous wolf". It is derived from the Germanic name "Hrodwulf". Rodolphe Kreutzer was a French composer and violinist who is best known for his 42 études or Caprices.
Romain
Romain is a French name that is derived from the Latin name Romanus, meaning "from Rome". One notable namesake is Romain Gary, a French writer who won the Prix Goncourt twice.
Sacha
Sacha is a unisex name of both French and Russian origin. It is a diminutive form of Alexander, which means "defender of mankind".
Samuel
Samuel is a French boy's name that is derived from the Hebrew name Shmuel, meaning "asked of God".
Séraphin
Séraphin is a French name that means "fiery one". It is derived from the biblical word seraphim, which refers to a type of celestial being.
Simon
Simon is a French boy's name that is derived from the Hebrew name Shim'on, meaning "listener" or "he who hears". One notable namesake is Simon de Montfort, a French nobleman who led the Albigensian Crusade in the 13th century.
Télesphore
Télesphore is a Greek and French name meaning "Bearer of completion". In Greek mythology, Telesphorus was the son of Asclepius, the god of medicine. He was the god of convalescence and recovery from illness, and was often depicted holding a staff with a serpent coiled around it, a symbol of medicine.
Théo
Théo is a shortened form of the name Theodore, which means "Gift of God". Theodore was a popular name among early Christians and was borne by several saints.
Thibault
Thibault is a Germanic and French name meaning "Bold people". It was borne by several medieval kings and noblemen, including Thibault I, Count of Bar, who fought in the Crusades.
Thomas
Thomas is an Aramaic name meaning "Twin". It was borne by one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, known as "Doubting Thomas" because he initially doubted the resurrection of Jesus.
Timéo
Timéo is a Greek name meaning "Honoring God". It is a modern variation of the name Timothy, which was borne by a companion of St. Paul in the New Testament.
Timothée
Timothée is a French variant of the name Timothy, which means "honoring God" in Greek. The name was popularized by Saint Timothy, a disciple of Saint Paul, and has been commonly used in Christian tradition.
Tristan
Tristan is a name with Celtic origins and means "tumult" or "outcry". It was popularized by the medieval legend of Tristan and Isolde, which tells the story of a knight and a princess who fall in love but are ultimately separated.
Valentin
Valentin is a French name with Latin origins and means "healthy" or "strong". The name was popularized by Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr who was known for performing marriages for soldiers who were forbidden to marry.
Vespasian
Vespasian is a name with Latin origins and means "wasp-like". The name was popularized by the Roman Emperor Vespasian, who ruled from 69-79 AD. He was known for his military conquests and his efforts to restore order and stability to the Roman Empire.
Wilfried
Wilfried is a French name with Germanic origins and means "desiring peace". The name was popularized by Saint Wilfrid, an English bishop who was known for his missionary work and his efforts to reconcile differences between Roman and Celtic Christianity.
William
The name William has been popular for centuries among English and European royalty, and it is still a popular name today.
Xavier
Xavier is a popular name with Basque origins that has spread throughout the world. It has been popularized by the Catholic saint Francis Xavier, who was one of the first Jesuit missionaries and is the patron saint of missionaries.
Yannick
Yannick is a French form of the name John, which means "God is gracious."
Yves
The name comes from the Breton word for yew, which was a symbol of eternal life in Celtic mythology.
Zacharie
Zacharie is a French form of the name Zachary, which means "remembered by God" in Hebrew.
Ziad
Ziad is a popular Arabic and French name that means "abundance" or "growth".
Zoël
Zoël is a unique French name with Breton origins, meaning "life".
Zoran
Zoran is a Slavic and French boy's name that means "dawn". It is a popular name in Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and other Slavic countries. The name is associated with new beginnings and the start of a new day.
Zygmunt
Zygmunt is a Polish and French name that means "victorious protector". It is a popular name in Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe.