Are you looking for a French first name for the future member of the family? Let yourself be inspired by our selections of pretty first names that are elegant, poetic and timeless, perfect for both a little girl and a little boy.
Choose a French first name, it means drawing on a rich history spanning several centuries, marked by royalty, literature and major artistic movements. From the soft sounds of the language of Molière to more regional and characterful variations (Breton, Corsican or Basque), the French-speaking repertoire shines with its refinement throughout the world. Whether you are looking for modernity with short, rhythmic first names, or seduced by the retro charm of old first names brought up to date, France is full of bright ideas. Discover our guide to the most beautiful French female and male first names.
The most popular French first names
Which French female first name to choose?
In the list of French first names that stand the test of time, we find essentials, true classics, such as Marie, Louise, Emma, Rose, Alice, Jeanne, Victoire, Margaux. So many names of historical people and heroines of the past who have shaped the France of today! But if you are looking for a short name to give to your little girl, more modern too, you have many choices, such as Léa, Lou, Anna, Lina, Léna, Iris, Lili, Zoé, Eva... For a girl, there are also original options, like Cinnamon, Cléo, Athénaïs, Amaryllis, Hombeline. You can also feminize better-known masculine first names like with Léontine, Julienne, Jéromine.
Which French names to choose for a little boy?
Are you looking for a name for a boy that is typically French? The choices are vast… So you can opt for Augustin, Gaspard, Valentin or even Côme which are classics. There are of course those of literary and artistic characters, such as Victor, Hugo, Jules, Léon, Martin. If you prefer a short French masculine first name, look to the first names Axel, Noé, Tom, Max or even Malofrom the famous town of Brittany. Evoking the sea, we also think of the pretty first name Marius. Finally, the first names Arthur, Adam, Antoine, Gabriel, Léo or Raphaël are essential in the library of French names for little boys! More classic, you will find Louis, Gabin, Marceau, Alexandre and even Maxence.
The great return of classic French first names
So-called “classic” first names have never been so trendy. Far from being out of fashion, today they embody a timeless chic much sought after by young parents. This is the case for girls with first names like Louise, Alice or even the essential Jeanne, which combine sweetness and character. These feminine names often appear in the top trendy names each year. For boys, the great royal and literary classics are on the rise: Louis, Gabriel, Arthur or even Jules have also been at the top of the rankings for several years. Choosing a French classic is the assurance of giving your baby a solid, harmonious first name that will survive all eras with grace.
What old French name should you give your baby?
In the list of old first names for a little girl, taken from French history, we find Jeanne, Isabelle, Colette, Elisabeth or even Suzanne. Married is an old French first name, just like Antoinette. Eugenie was the name of an empress, Catherine is also an old first name evoking Catherine de Medici. Constance and Mathilde were other figures in French history.
In the list of old first names for boys, we find Roger, Sylvestre, Georges, Marcel and even Narcisse. Without forgetting ThéophileTheodore and Timothy ! Emmanuel, Matthieu, Paul, or even Barthélémy are also old first names in the French repertoire for a little boy.
What are rare French first names?
If you are looking for a rare first name to give to your little girl, look in literature and history books. You will thus find Marylou, Abeline, Antigone, Alexiane, Gustavine and Roselyne. Ermentrude, Hildegarde, Richarde and Bathilde are other rare French first names.
For a boy, you will have the choice between Clovis, ClothaireCilderic. Lothaire and Pépin, who were historical figures, are also unusual first names. BalthazarCalixte, SeraphConstantine, Cyprian, Celander are other options if you want to name your son with a rare first name.
