300 Old & Unique French Boy Names With Meanings

The French language is the official language of 29 countries, and roughly 50.000 English words come from French. French grammar has been greatly simplified from that of Latin. As such, I have hand-picked 300 French boy names.

List Of 300 Old & Unique French Boy Names:

Jacques

Jacques is from the northwest Brittany region of France. It comes from the Hebrew Jacob that means ”to overreach” or ”to follow.” Jacob is a Hebrew patriarch and the younger twin brother of Esau. Jacques de Molay was the last grand master of the Knights Templar and was sentenced to death in 1314

Adrien

Adrien originated from Latin and means “from Hadria.”

Emile

Émile is symbolizing ”to excel” or ”to strive” and is from the Latin Aemilius.

Blanchard

“Whitish” and is derived from blanchart. Lemoine Blanchard was a board member of the national YMCA.

Alphonse

“Ready for battle.”

READ MORE: 30 Unique Russian Boy Names

Maxime

Maxime is from the Latin maximus and is meaning ”greatest” or ”the great one.”

Cassien

From the Roman family Cassius.

Anicet

”Unconquered.”

Fulcran

Fulcran was a bishop of Lodève and is symbolizing “folk-raven”.

Jourdain

Jourdain is the Jordan, ”flowing down.”

Hyacinthe

The hyacinth flower.

French names for boys with dark meanings:

Name	Meaning	Pronunciation
Isengrin	”iron mask”	ee-zahn-GRAN
Melaine	dark one	meh-LEN
Mortimer	dead water	MOR-tih-mer
Corbin	raven	kor-BAN or KOR-bin
Ganelon	root disputed	gah-neh-LOHN
Louvel	wolf cub	loo-VEL
Quasimodo	”half-formed.”	kah-zee-moh-DOH
Gondebaud	bold in war	gohnd-BOH
Belphégor	lord of Peor	bel-fay-GOR
Grimaud	masked ruler	gree-MOH
Corbinien	little raven	kor-bee-NYAN
Hildebrand	”battle sword”	HIL-deh-brand
Fantômas	phantom, coined	fahn-toh-MAHS
Gonthier	war host	gohn-TYEH
Corneille	crow	kor-NAY

The list continues.

Calixte

Calixte is from the Latin Callistus (“the most beautiful one”).

Anatole

It originates from the Greek Anatolius (sunrise). Variants include Anatolio and Anatoly. A celebrity that bears this name is art critic Anatole Jakovsky who established a museum in Nice.

Aurèle

Aurelius, ”golden.”

Benjamin

”Son of the right hand,” and the youngest son of Jacob.

Léopold

It has origins in the Germanic Luitbald (liut is ”people” and bald means ”brave”). Léopold Louis-Dreyfus was a French businessman and the recipient of the title Commander of the Legion of Honour.

Pépin

=Pépin (”small”) the Short was the father of Charlemagne.

Norbert

”Bright north.”

Philibert

”Very bright.”

Saturnin

“Of Saturn.”

Wandrille

Wandrille (“wandering hostage”) founded an abbey in Normandy.

Tanguy

Tanguy is Breton, ”fire dog.”

Rodrigue

“Renowned power”.

Ronan

”Little seal.” Save

Théophile

”Friend of God.”

Gwenaël

Gwenaël is Breton, ”blessed and generous.”

Royal French boy names:

Name	Meaning	Pronunciation
Régis	”of the king”	ray-ZHEES
Dagobert	bright as day	dah-goh-BEHR
Mérovée	root disputed	meh-roh-VAY
Gontran	war raven	gohn-TRAHN
Childéric	battle ruler	shil-deh-REEK
Leroy	king	luh-RWAH or LEE-roy
Carloman	”free man.”	kar-loh-MAHN
Sigebert	bright victory	seezh-BEHR
Chilpéric	mighty helper	shil-peh-REEK
Arnoul	eagle wolf	ar-NOO
Clodomir	famous and renowned	kloh-doh-MEER
Caribert	bright army	kah-ree-BEHR
Sigismond	shield of victory	see-zhees-MOHN
Théodebert	”bright people”	tay-ohd-BEHR
Childebert	bright in battle	shil-deh-BEHR

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Malo

“Bright pledge”.

Antoine

It comes from the Latin Antonius (”highly praiseworthy”). Feminine forms include Antionette and Antonia. Variations are Antwuan, Antwoine, Antwain, Antoin, Antoan, and Antaine.

Melchior

”King of light,” the Magus who brought gold.

Marin

”Of the sea.”

Christophe

It is rooted in Christopher.which is from the Greek Christophoros (”Christ-bearer”). Christophe Barthès is the owner of a winery in Trèbes.

Gédéon

”One who cuts down.”

Irénée

”Peaceful,” and Irenaeus of Lyon was a Christian writer of Gaul.

Innocent

Innocent is ”harmless.”

Lancelot

Lancelot (”little lance”) is the Round Table knight of Chrétien de Troyes.

Josse

Josse has origins in Breton Iudoc, ”lord.”

Macaire

”Blessed.”

Edmé

Edmé is a diminutive of Edmond and is symbolizing “rich guardian” or “wealthy protector”.

Fulbert

”Very bright.”

Arnaud

Arnaud is made of arn (eagle) with wald (power).

Théodore

Théodore (gift of God) is from the Greek theós (”god”) and dôron (gift).

Armand

It is the French form of Herman that is an ancient Germanic and is meaning “army man.” Armand Peugeot was a French industrialist and the founder of the Peugeot automotive company.

Édouard

”Wealth guard.” Édouard Manet scandalized Paris with Olympia in 1865.

French and English boy names:

Name	Meaning	Pronunciation
Arthur	root disputed	AR-thur, ar-TUR
Noah	rest	NOH-uh, noh-AH
Gabriel	”God is my strength”	GAY-bree-ul, gah-bree-EL
Axel	father of peace	AK-sul, ak-SEL
Thomas	twin	TOM-us, toh-MAH
Hugo	mind	HYOO-goh, oo-GOH
Elliot	”Yahweh is God.”	EL-ee-ut, el-YOT
Lucas	man from Lucania	LOO-kus, loo-KAH
Adam	of the earth	AD-um, ah-DAHN
Oscar	origin unclear	OS-kur, os-KAR
Nathan	he gave	NAY-thun, nah-TAHN
Isaac	he laughs	EYE-zik, ee-zah-AHK
Daniel	God is my judge	DAN-yul, dahn-YEL
Ethan	”firm”	EE-thun, ay-TAHN
Samuel	God has heard	SAM-yoo-ul, sah-mew-EL

Even more below.

Donatien

”Given,” from donatus.

Sébastien

Worthy of respect or venerable.

Auguste

Auguste comes from the Latin word augustus (“great” or “venerable”). Augustus was the main title of the Roman emperors during antiquity.

Raoul

Raoul has its origins in the Germanic elements rad (”counsel”) and wald (wolf). Raüll, Raül, Raúl, and Raul are other variants.

Clair

”Bright.”

Nicolas

”Victory of the people.”

Brieuc

Brieuc is a Breton saint, and means ”honor.”

Cyr

”Lord,” and there is the military academy of Saint-Cyr.

Edgar

”Wealth spear.” Edgar Degas painted the ballet dancers of the Paris Opera.

Fiacre

”Raven.”

Gatien

Gatien (”grace”) was the first bishop of Tours.

Manuel

It comes from the Hebrew Immanuel (“God with us”). Its feminine variant is Manuela. Manuel da Nóbrega was the first provincial of the Society of Jesus in colonial Brazil.

Aubin

From albinus, white.

Bérenger

Bern (bear) with gar (spear).

Balthasar

Balthasar is from Akkadian Bel-shar-uzur and means ”Bel protects the King.” He is one of the three biblical Magi who visited Jesus after he was born. It is also spelled Baltazar, Balthassar, or Balthazar.

Symphorien

”He brings together.”

Adolphe

”Noble wolf.” Adolphe Sax patented the saxophone.

Vincent

”Conquering.”

Tancrède

”Thoughtful counsel.”

Sylvain

”Of the forest.”

Philippe

It is from the Greek Phílippos (lover of horses). Louis Philippe I was King of France from 1830 to 1848. He was overthrown by a revolution in February 1848.

Quentin

”Fifth.”

Victor

”Conqueror”.

Agricole

”Farmer.”

Léandre

”Lion man.”

Léonard

”Brave as a lion.”

Rainier

Rainier combines ragin (counsel) and hari (army).

Roland

”Famous land.”

Baptiste

Baptiste has roots in the Greek baptistēs and has a meaning that I like, one who washes or one who administers the rite of baptism. It is also a short form of Jean-Baptiste which is connected with Saint John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus.

Thibault

Theud (people) and bald (bold). Thibaut IV of Champagne was a king of Navarre.

Robert

”Bright fame.”

Albert

”Noble and bright.” Albert Camus published The Stranger.

Thierry

”Ruler of the people.”

Justin

”Just.”

Lambert

Land and beraht, bright.

Léonce

”Lion-like.”

Luc

”Man from Lucania.”

Valère

Valère comes from valere, to be healthy.

Clovis

”Famous in battle.”

Côme

It comes from kosmos, order, and Saint Côme is the patron of surgeons.

René

”Reborn.” In 1637 René Descartes wrote ”I think, therefore I am”.

Constant

”Steadfast.”

Valentin

”Strong.”

Alban

A man from Alba.

Narcisse

Narcisse is linked with the mythological figure of Narcissus who was the son of Cephissus and Liriope. Narcissus is the origin of the term narcissism.

Roméo

”Pilgrim to Rome.”

Louis

”Famous warrior.”

Loup

Loup is the word for wolf.

Romain

”Roman.”

Dominique

”Of the Lord.”

Olivier

”Olive tree,” and Roland’s friend in The Song of Roland.

Marius

”Manly,” and Victor Hugo used it for the lover in Les Misérables.

Elzéar

Elzéar is the Provençal Eleazar, ”God has helped.”

Séverin

”Stern.”

Rodolphe

Hrod (fame) and wolf.

Hugues

”Mind.”

Ignace

Ignace has origins in ignis, fire.

Samson

”Of the sun.”

Barnabé

Barnabé has its roots in the Hebrew “Bar-Nabba” and is symbolizing “son of encouragement” or ”son of consolation.”

Renaud

Renaud is made of ragin (counsel) and wald (rule).

Martial

”Military,” and the first bishop of Limoges.

Odilon

From od, wealth. Odilon Redon painted floating eyes and dream creatures.

Marcel

”Belonging to Mars.” Marcel comes from the Roman Marcellus, the Roman god of war Mars. The feminine variant is Marcelle.

Basile

Basile means ”regal” or ”kingly” and comes from the Greek Basileios.

Godefroy

”God’s peace.” Godefroy de Bouillon conquered Jerusalem one milania ago.

Grégoire

”Watchful.”

 

Firmin

Firmin is ”firm,” and Saint Firmin is the patron of Amiens.

Florent

”Blooming.”

Beauregard

”Beautiful to look at” or ”a beautiful outlook.”

Eustache

”Fruitful”.

Étienne

Étienne is the French analog of Stephen, from the Greek Stéphanos (”crown”). Saint Stephen is considered the first martyr of the Christian Church.

Octave

”Eighth.”

Ghislain

Ghislain comes from gisil, a pledge.

Gilles

Gilles is the French Aegidius, from the word for a young goat.

Onésime

”Useful.”

Patrice

Patrice is ”noble.

Mathieu

”Gift of God.”

Martin

”Warlike.”

Mathurin

From maturus, ripe and timely.

Ferdinand

Ferdinand combines fardi (journey) with nand (daring).

Fortuné

”Fortunate.”

Gaspard

Gaspard comes from a Persian word for treasurer.

Hervé

Hervé is Breton, ”worthy in battle.”

Hubert

Hubert is ”bright mind.”

Isidore

”Gift of Isis.”

Jérôme

”Sacred name.”

Foulques

It is from the Old Germanic element folk and means ”army” or ”people.” Foulques de Fontenelle was the 21st abbot of Fontenelle, a Benedictine monastery that is located in the commune of Rives-en-Seine.

Gaétan

Gaëtan has roots in the Italian Gaetano which is from the Latin Caietanus (“from Caieta”). Gaëtane and Gaétanne are the female variations. Save

Xavier

It is derived from the Roman Catholic Saint Francis Xavier who co-founded the Society of Jesus. ”New home” or ”new house” are its meanings.

Pascal

”Of Easter.” Blaise Pascal built a calculating machine at age 19.

Eugène

”Well-born.” Eugène Delacroix painted Liberty Leading the People.

Hilaire

”Cheerful.”

Hippolyte

”He who frees horses.”

Évariste

”well pleasing.” Mathematician Évariste Galois wrote his life’s work the night before he died in a duel.

Yann

Yann is the Breton form of “Jean” which is from the Latin Johannes and the Hebrew Yehochanan that is symboliing “YHWH is gracious”

Lucien

”Light. It comes from the Latin Lucius or the Etruscan Lauchum. Variations: Luken in Basque and Lucio in Spanish.

Enguerrand

It comes from the Germanic Engilram which is made of the elements angil (”angel”) and hramn (”raven”). Enguerrand I de Coucy was the Lord of Coucy for three decades.

Benoit

Benoit is from the Latin word benedictus and means ”blessed.” Feminine derivatives are Benoîte and Bénédicte.

Léon

”Lion” and has roots in the Greek language. Léon was a leonine Gigante slain by Herakles and they fought during the war of the Giants and Gods.

Blaise

”Lisping” or “stuttering.”

Laurent

Laurent has origins in the Laurentius in Latin and means “from Laurentum,” a city near Rome.

Maurille

Maurille is a variation of the Latin Maurilius (“dark-skinned”).

Nicodème

It is from the Greek Nicodemus that means “victory of the people.” Nicodème Audet represented Dorchester in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec.

Boniface

Fortunate or auspicious.

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Julien

Downy-bearded or youthful. Julien has its roots in the Latin Julius.

Bruno

Brown.

Casimir

”Destroyer of peace.”

François

François is the French variant of the English Francis (”free”) and comes from the Franks, a group of Germanic tribes living near the Rhine River.

Baptiste

It is a short form of Jean-Baptiste that has roots in Saint John the Baptist, known as the prophet Yahya ibn Zakariya in Islam. Jesus himself identifies him as “Elijah who is to come.”

Ambroise

”Immortal.”

Amédée

”He loves God”.

Cédric

War leader or kindly. Cedric Diggory is a wizard who attended the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Gaël

It is a variant of Gwenhael, the second abbot of Landévennec Abbey. Gaël is meaning “member of the Gaelic race.”

Honoré

”Honored.” Honoré de Balzac drank about 50 cups of coffee a day while writing.

Gustave

Support of the Goths.

Horace

Horace comes from the Roman family Horatius, ”timekeeper.”

Pacôme

It has roots in Saint-Pacôme, the founder of Christian cenobitic monasticism.

Alexandre

Alexandre is the French variant of the English Alexander that itself is from the Latin Alexander (“defender of Mankind”). Prince Alexandre of Belgium was the 4th child of King Leopold III of Belgium.

Mériadec

”Sea ruler.”

Aymeric

”Ruler of the home.”

Barthélemy

”Son of Talmai.”

Tugdual

”Worthy of the people.”

Alcide

Alcide comes from Alkeides, from alke, strength.

Anselme

Anselme combines ans (god) with helm (helmet).

Évrard

”Strong as a boar.”

Aristide

”Of the best kind.”

Pharamond

Pharamond (“protector of journeys”) is the first king of the Franks.

Charles

”Free man”.

Albéric

Alb (elf) and ric (ruler).

Apollinaire

”Belongs to Apollo”.

Raymond

Raymond combines counsel and protection.

Alain

From the Alans, a nomad people who settled in Gaul, as well as a Breton word for little rock.

Zacharie

”God remembers.”

Bonaventure

Bonaventure is ”good fortune.”

Achille

”Grief” or ”pain.”

Aimé

”Beloved.” Aimé Jacquet coached France to its first World Cup title.

Gonzague

Gonzague comes from the Gonzaga family of Mantua.

Tristan

Tristan has origins in the Pictish word for tumult.

Athanase

”Immortal.”

Baudouin

”Bold friend.”

Ulysse

Ulysse is the French Odysseus.

Bernard

”Brave as a bear.”

Arsène

”Manly.” Maurice Leblanc created the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin.

Camille

A boy who served at Roman rites.

Virgile

“Flourishing”.

Archambault

“Precious and bold”.

Bénigne

”Kind.”.

Yves

It is ”yew,” and Saint Yves of Brittany is the patron of lawyers.

Bertrand

”Bright raven.” In the 1300s Bertrand du Guesclin won back much of France from the English.

Cyrille

Cyrille is symbolizing ”lordly,” from kyrios.

Frédéric

”Peaceful ruler”.

Gabin

Gabin is symbolizing a man from Gabii, a town near Rome.

Damien

Damien comes from damazo, to tame.

Brice

Brice was the successor of Saint Martin at Tours.

Timothée

”Honoring God.”

Alexis

”Defender.”

Césaire

Césaire comes from Caesar (“blue-eyed”).

Célestin

”Heavenly.”

Alfred

”Elf counsel.”

Gauvain

“White hawk”.

Urbain

”City dweller.”

Amaury

From amal (work) and ric (ruler).

Clément

”Merciful.”

Denis

“Follower of Dionysus”.

Clotaire

Clotaire is made of hlod (fame) and hari (army).

Simon

Simon is ”he has heard.”

Désiré

”Desired”.

Félicien

”Lucky.”

Didier

From the Latin Desiderius, ”longing.”

Sixte

”sixth.” Sistine Chapel is named after Pope Sixtus IV.

Corentin

Corentin is linked to a Breton word for hurricane.

Gauthier

Gauthier has roots in Walter, ”army ruler.”

Georges

”Farmer.” Georges Seurat painted with millions of tiny dots.

Dieudonné

”Given by God.” Louis XIV was baptized Louis-Dieudonné.

Cyprien

A man from Cyprus.

Éloi

”Chosen.” Éloi was the goldsmith of King Dagobert.

Stanislas

”Glory of the camp.”

Maurice

”Moor.” Maurice Ravel wrote Boléro.

Médard

“Powerful and hardy.”

Prosper

”Fortunate.”

Raphaël

”God heals.”

Eudes

”Wealth.”

Paul

”Small.”

Fabrice

From faber, craftsman.

Félix

”happy” in Latin.

Joachim

”God will raise up.”

Jules

“Youthful.”

Émeric

Émeric is the French Emmerich (”ruler”), the same name as Amerigo.

Guy

Wood or wide.

Hector

”Holding fast.” Hector Berlioz wrote the Symphonie fantastique.

Germain

”Brother”.

Gervais

“One who serves with a spear.”

Ernest

”Serious.”

Perceval

Perceval (“pierce the valley”) was a knight of the Grail in Chrétien de Troyes.

Pierre

Stone.

Michel

”Who is like God?”

Thaddée

“Courageous heart”.

Josué

”God is salvation.”

Modeste

”Modest.”

Napoléon

“Lion of the new city,” and Bonaparte made it famous.

Noël

Noël is Christmas, and I recommend it for babies born on December 25.

Rémi

”Oarsman.”

Landry

”Ruler of the land.”

Guérin

From warin, guard.

Hercule

“Glory of Hera”.

Lazare

”God has helped.”

Ange

Angel.

Joseph

Joseph means ”he will add.”

Fabien

Fabien comes from faba, the bean.

Guillaume

Guillaume combines wil (will) with helm (helmet).

Gaston

A man from Gascony.

Henri

”Ruler of the home.” Henri IV is said to have decided that Paris was worth a Mass.

Gérard

Gérard is made of ger (spear) and hard (strong).