Parents of an adorable baby boy and you are looking for a name that suits the charm of your bébé garçon?
French names carry history & charm that appeal to families across the globe.
Below, you will find an extensive list of French male names.
For each, you will see its meaning and a quick note on Popularity, whether it is widely used in France, more modern, rare, or considered a cherished classic.
Top Male French Names for Baby Boys
From timeless classics to modern favorites and rare vintage gems, these French boy names offer charm and unique character.
Classic & Traditional French Names
1. Adrien
Meaning: From Hadria (Northern Italy)
Popularity: Timeless
2. Alain
Meaning: Rock
Popularity: Classic, 20th-century staple
3. Albert
Meaning: Noble, bright
Popularity: Royal associations
4. Alexandre
Meaning: Defender of the people
Popularity: Very popular classic
5. Alexis
Meaning: Defender
Popularity: Modern and stylish
6. Alfred
Meaning: Wise counselor
Popularity: Vintage, rare today
7. André
Meaning: Manly, brave
Popularity: Timeless French favorite
8. Ange
Meaning: Angel
Popularity: Classic, poetic
9. Antoine
Meaning: Priceless, beyond praise
Popularity: Common in traditional families
10. Arthur
Meaning: Bear
Popularity: Strong revival, classic
11. Auguste
Meaning: Great, magnificent
Popularity: Classic, aristocratic
12. Augustin
Meaning: Magnificent, great
Popularity: Classic
13. Baptiste
Meaning: Baptist
Popularity: Well-loved, often paired with Jean
14. Benoît
Meaning: Blessed
Popularity: Classic, less common today
15. Charles
Meaning: Free man
Popularity: Most popular French classic
16. Christophe
Meaning: Christ-bearer
Popularity: Traditional, familiar
17. Clément
Meaning: Gentle, merciful
Popularity: Modern appeal
18. Constantin
Meaning: Steadfast, constant
Popularity: Distinguished, uncommon
19. Daniel
Meaning: God is my judge
Popularity: International, classic
20. Denis
Meaning: Follower of Dionysus
Popularity: Old but familiar
21. Édouard
Meaning: Wealthy guardian
Popularity: Old-fashioned, regal
22. Émile
Meaning: To excel
Popularity: Classic, artistic
23. Étienne
Meaning: Crown, garland
Popularity: Classic intellectual
24. Eugène
Meaning: Well-born
Popularity: Historic
25. Fabien
Meaning: Bean grower
Popularity: Familiar, not overly common
26. Félix
Meaning: Happy, fortunate
Popularity: Growing in popularity
27. Florentin
Meaning: Flowering, blooming
Popularity: Classic
28. François
Meaning: Free man, Frenchman
Popularity: Very common and classic
29. Frédéric
Meaning: Peaceful ruler
Popularity: Classic, less popular now
30. Gaston
Meaning: Guest, stranger
Popularity: Classic, retro
31. Gaspard
Meaning: Treasure bearer
Popularity: Classic, biblical
32. Gérard
Meaning: Brave spear
Popularity: Dated, rare now
33. Germain
Meaning: From Germany
Popularity: Historic, classic
34. Gilbert
Meaning: Bright pledge
Popularity: Vintage, rare
35. Guillaume
Meaning: Resolute protector
Popularity: Popular modern
36. Guy
Meaning: Guide, leader
Popularity: Classic
37. Honoré
Meaning: Honored, esteemed
Popularity: Literary, vintage
38. Hubert
Meaning: Bright intellect
Popularity: Historic, classic
39. Hugo
Meaning: Mind, intelligence
Popularity: Top 10 in France
40. Jacques
Meaning: Supplanter
Popularity: Classic, always in use
41. Jean
Meaning: God is gracious
Popularity: Most used in history, many combos
42. Joseph
Meaning: God will increase
Popularity: Evergreen
43. Jules
Meaning: Youthful
Popularity: Classic undergoing revival
44. Julien
Meaning: Youthful, downy
Popularity: Very popular, modern
45. Laurent
Meaning: Laurel-crowned
Popularity: Classic, expressive
46. Léon
Meaning: Lion
Popularity: Vintage revival
47. Léonard
Meaning: Brave as a lion
Popularity: Classic, stylish
48. Louis
Meaning: Famous warrior
Popularity: Top, regal, classic
49. Luc
Meaning: Light
Popularity: Traditional, simple
50. Lucas
Meaning: Light-giving
Popularity: Top choice, international
51. Lucien
Meaning: Light
Popularity: Vintage, fashionable
52. Ludovic
Meaning: Famous warrior
Popularity: International, recognizable
53. Marcel
Meaning: Little warrior
Popularity: Vintage, rising
54. Marius
Meaning: Male, manly
Popularity: Classic
55. Martin
Meaning: Warlike, warrior
Popularity: Top 10 French male names
56. Mathieu
Meaning: Gift of God
Popularity: Popular modern
57. Maxime
Meaning: Greatest
Popularity: Very popular, contemporary
58. Michel
Meaning: Who is like God?
Popularity: Classic, strong
59. Nicolas
Meaning: Victory of the people
Popularity: Always in use
60. Olivier
Meaning: Olive tree
Popularity: Always stylish, evergreen
61. Pascal
Meaning: Related to Easter
Popularity: Evocative, classic
62. Patrice
Meaning: Noble
Popularity: Used, especially older generation
63. Paul
Meaning: Humble, small
Popularity: Forever a French staple
64. Philippe
Meaning: Lover of horses
Popularity: Regal, stylish
65. Pierre
Meaning: Stone, rock
Popularity: Most common historical name
66. Raphaël
Meaning: God has healed
Popularity: Growing, biblical
67. Samuel
Meaning: His name is God
Popularity: International classic
68. Sébastien
Meaning: Revered
Popularity: Sophisticated, classic
69. Simon
Meaning: God has heard
Popularity: Classic, biblical
70. Victor
Meaning: Conqueror
Popularity: Longtime French favorite
Modern & Trendy Names
71. Achille
Meaning: Pain, warrior
Popularity: Mythological, stylish
72. Alexis
Meaning: Defender
Popularity: Modern and stylish
73. Amaury
Meaning: King of the Amali; work power
Popularity: Medieval, sophisticated
74. Anatole
Meaning: Sunrise
Popularity: Artistic, unique
75. Antonin
Meaning: Priceless
Popularity: Stylish, revival occurring
76. Apollinaire
Meaning: Of Apollo
Popularity: Rare, intellectual
77. Arsène
Meaning: Virile, strong
Popularity: Historic, literary
78. Aubin
Meaning: White, bright
Popularity: Artistic, uncommon
9. Aubrey
Meaning: Elf ruler
Popularity: Sometimes unisex, rare
80. Aurélien
Meaning: Golden, gilded
Popularity: Modern and poetic
81. Bastien
Meaning: Venerable
Popularity: Modern, growing
82. Baylen
Meaning: Auburn-haired
Popularity: Very rare
83. Beau
Meaning: Handsome, beautiful
Popularity: Modern, stylish
84. Brice
Meaning: Speckled, freckled
Popularity: Uncommon
85. Camille
Meaning: Attendant
Popularity: Used for both boys and girls in France
86. Cédric
Meaning: Bounty
Popularity: Modern, literary
87. Clément
Meaning: Gentle, merciful
Popularity: Modern appeal
88. Corentin
Meaning: Hurricane, tempest
Popularity: Breton, classic
89. Curtis
Meaning: Courteous
Popularity: Modern, rare in France
90. Damien
Meaning: To tame, subdue
Popularity: Widely used
91. Dax
Meaning: Town in France
Popularity: Rare, modern
92. Delano
Meaning: Of the night
Popularity: Modern, rare
93. Dorian
Meaning: Of Doris
Popularity: Modern, artistic
94. Elouan
Meaning: Good light
Popularity: Brittany, modern
95. Emmanuel
Meaning: God is with us
Popularity: Known, less common
96. Evan
Meaning: Youth
Popularity: Modern, international
97. Fabrice
Meaning: Craftsman
Popularity: Modern, less used now
98. Florian
Meaning: Flowering
Popularity: Bright and modern
99. Gaël
Meaning: Generous spirit
Popularity: Since the 1990s, popular
100. Guillaume
Meaning: Resolute protector
Popularity: Popular modern
101. Hugo
Meaning: Mind, intelligence
Popularity: Top 10 in France
102. Ismaël
Meaning: God listens
Popularity: Biblical, rare
103. Jonathan
Meaning: God has given
Popularity: Modern, international
104. Joël
Meaning: Jehovah is God
Popularity: Simple, biblical
105. Julien
Meaning: Youthful, downy
Popularity: Very popular, modern
106. Justin
Meaning: Just, fair
Popularity: Modern, familiar
107. Kevin
Meaning: Handsome birth
Popularity: Borrowed, international
108. Léandre
Meaning: Lion man
Popularity: Poetic, rising
109. Lionel
Meaning: Young lion
Popularity: Not overly common
110. Loric
Meaning: Crowned with laurel
Popularity: Rare, modern
111. Lucas
Meaning: Light-giving
Popularity: Top choice, international
112. Maël
Meaning: Chief, prince
Popularity: Popular, especially in Brittany
113. Malo
Meaning: Shining hostage
Popularity: Brittany, modern popularity
114. Marceau
Meaning: Little warrior
Popularity: Trendy, modern
115. Marlon
Meaning: Little falcon
Popularity: Modern
116. Maxence
Meaning: Greatest
Popularity: Stylish, modern
117. Milan
Meaning: Gracious, kind
Popularity: Modern, rising
118. Morgan
Meaning: Sea chief
Popularity: Unisex, rare for boys
119. Naël
Meaning: Gift from above
Popularity: Modern, gentle sound
120. Olivier
Meaning: Olive tree
Popularity: Always stylish, evergreen
121. Quentin
Meaning: Fifth
Popularity: Modern
122. Romain
Meaning: Roman, strong
Popularity: Artistic, stylish
123. Sacha
Meaning: Defender of mankind
Popularity: Modern, unisex
124. Soren
Meaning: Stern
Popularity: Rare, modern import
125. Théo
Meaning: God
Popularity: Modern, rising
126. Thibault
Meaning: Courageous
Popularity: Contemporary, trendy
127. Thimothée
Meaning: Honoring God
Popularity: Trendy
128. Timéo
Meaning: Honor God
Popularity: Modern, popular
129. Titouan
Meaning: French modern
Popularity: Modern, creative
130. Tristan
Meaning: Tumult, outcry
Popularity: Literary, strong
131. Valentin
Meaning: Strong, healthy
Popularity: Romantic, widely used
132. Vincent
Meaning: Conquering
Popularity: Steady, classic
133. William
Meaning: Resolute protector
Popularity: International, French-English blend
134. Xavier
Meaning: New house
Popularity: Familiar, modern
135. Yanis
Meaning: God is gracious
Popularity: Popular, international
136. Yann
Meaning: God is gracious
Popularity: Common in Brittany
137. Yannis
Meaning: God is gracious
Popularity: Modern variant
138. Yvan
Meaning: God is gracious
Popularity: Vintage, still in use
139. Zac
Meaning: The Lord remembers
Popularity: Diminutive, modern
140. Zéphyr
Meaning: West wind
Popularity: Rare, poetic
Rare, Vintage & Uncommon Names
141. Abel
Meaning: Breath
Popularity: Rare, biblical
142. Aimé
Meaning: Loved
Popularity: Uncommon, vintage
143. Alban
Meaning: White, fair
Popularity: Classic, especially in Catholic regions
144. Aloïs
Meaning: Famous warrior
Popularity: Historic, rare
145. Alphonse
Meaning: Ready for battle
Popularity: Historic, old-fashioned
146. Amédée
Meaning: God’s beloved
Popularity: Rare, religious
147. Ambroise
Meaning: Immortal
Popularity: Rare, classic
148. Anatolio
Meaning: Eastern
Popularity: Rare
149. Anselme
Meaning: God’s helmet
Popularity: Medieval, rare
150. Aristide
Meaning: The best
Popularity: Culturally rich, rare
151. Aubert
Meaning: Noble, bright
Popularity: Rare, classic
152. Aurèle
Meaning: Golden
Popularity: Poetic, rare
153. Barnabé
Meaning: Son of consolation
Popularity: Rare, biblical
154. Barthélemy
Meaning: Son of Talmai
Popularity: Old-fashioned, biblical
155. Basile
Meaning: Royal, kingly
Popularity: Distinguished, rare
156. Blaise
Meaning: Lisping, stammering
Popularity: Rare, literary
157. Boniface
Meaning: Good fate
Popularity: Vintage, very rare
158. Boris
Meaning: Fighter
Popularity: Rare, used in France
159. Bruno
Meaning: Brown, dark-haired
Popularity: Old generation, familiar
160. Célestin
Meaning: Heavenly
Popularity: Unique, vintage
161. César
Meaning: Long-haired, Caesar
Popularity: Powerful, rare
162. Colin
Meaning: Young creature
Popularity: Rare today
163. Cyrille
Meaning: Lord, master
Popularity: Historic
164. Damiens
Meaning: To tame, subdue
Popularity: Variant of Damien
165. Désiré
Meaning: Desired
Popularity: Vintage, sentimental
166. Dieudonné
Meaning: God-given
Popularity: Rare, religious
167. Didier
Meaning: Desired, beloved
Popularity: Outdated but recognizable
168. Dumas
Meaning: Of the farmstead
Popularity: Surname, literary
169. Enguerrand
Meaning: Warrior
Popularity: Medieval, unique
170. Élias
Meaning: The Lord is my God
Popularity: Growing, biblical
171. Élie
Meaning: The Lord is my God
Popularity: Biblical, rare
172. Éloi
Meaning: Chosen
Popularity: Unique, rare
173. Émeric
Meaning: Power, ruler
Popularity: Rare, Old German roots
174. Éric
Meaning: Eternal ruler
Popularity: 20th-century favorite, less common now
175. Evrard
Meaning: Brave warrior
Popularity: Medieval, rare
176. Fernand
Meaning: Bold voyager
Popularity: Vintage
177. Florent
Meaning: Flowering, blooming
Popularity: Modern, stylish
178. Floris
Meaning: Flower
Popularity: Rare, poetic
179. Gérald
Meaning: Ruler with a spear
Popularity: Vintage
180. Grégoire
Meaning: Watchful, alert
Popularity: Less common
181. Gustave
Meaning: Staff of the gods
Popularity: Old-fashioned, rare
182. Hyacinthe
Meaning: Hyacinth flower
Popularity: Rare, poetic
183. Isidore
Meaning: Gift of Isis
Popularity: Rare, classic
184. Ivan
Meaning: God is gracious
Popularity: Variant of Yvan, rare
185. Josué
Meaning: God is salvation
Popularity: Modern, biblical
186. Lancelot
Meaning: Servant
Popularity: Arthurian, rare
187. Landry
Meaning: Ruler
Popularity: Historic, regional
188. Lazare
Meaning: God has helped
Popularity: Rare, biblical
189. Léonard
Meaning: Brave as a lion
Popularity: Classic, stylish
190. Maé
Meaning: Chief
Popularity: Rare, short, Brittany
191. Martial
Meaning: Warlike
Popularity: Rare, classic
192. Matthias
Meaning: Gift of God
Popularity: International, biblical
193. Melchior
Meaning: King, city of the king
Popularity: Rare, biblical
194. Morgan
Meaning: Sea chief
Popularity: Unisex, rare for boys
195. Norbert
Meaning: Northern brightness
Popularity: Rare, classic
196. Octave
Meaning: Eighth
Popularity: Vintage, musical
197. Oscar
Meaning: Divine spear
Popularity: Historic name, rare
198. Raymond
Meaning: Wise protector
Popularity: Vintage
199. René
Meaning: Reborn
Popularity: Classic
200. Renaud
Meaning: Fox, advisor
Popularity: Medieval, classic
201. Roland
Meaning: Famous throughout the land
Popularity: Classic, literary
202. Séraphin
Meaning: Angelic, burning one
Popularity: Rare, poetic
203. Serge
Meaning: Servant
Popularity: Recognized, older
204. Silvère
Meaning: Of the forest
Popularity: Rare, poetic
205. Sylvain
Meaning: Woodland
Popularity: Artistic, nature-inspired
206. Tancrède
Meaning: Thoughtful counsel
Popularity: Rare, medieval
207. Ulysse
Meaning: Wrathful
Popularity: Mythological, stylish
208. Valère
Meaning: Strong, healthy
Popularity: Vintage, rare
209. Virgile
Meaning: Flourishing
Popularity: Literary, rare
210. Vivien
Meaning: Alive
Popularity: Historic, rare
211. Vladislas
Meaning: Glory
Popularity: Rare
Wrapping It Up!
Selecting from male French names is an exciting process, hardly matters if you are looking for something traditional, poetic, or truly rare.
French male names are celebrated for their rich history and meaningful origins, making them an excellent choice for families who want a name that is both stylish and charming.
Allow yourself to be inspired by the charm and variety of French naming traditions.
