Choosing a name for your baby boy is no easy task. Should you choose a traditional or a cool name? Maybe name him after your father or a famous actor? There are so many options out there that it becomes overwhelming.
How about a French name? French names have been in vogue for quite some time. Some people choose them because they sound classy or cool. Or maybe they have French ancestors and they want to preserve their identities, who knows? Whatever the reason may be, we’ve got you covered. Today we’ll show you a list of the most popular French names for boys in 2020.
The results were gathered from a poll answered by BabyNames-App users from France this year. For your reference, we will include the origin, meaning, alternative spellings, and famous namesakes to help you make a decision. Without much further ado, let’s begin!
1. Mathéo
Origin: Hebrew.
Meaning: “gift of Yahweh” (the Hebrew God).
Alternative spellings or variations: Mateo, Matheo, Matteo, Mattheo, Matthéo, Mattéo, Matéo, Mathieu.
Famous namesakes: Spanish film director Mateo Gil, Croatian footballer Mateo Kovacic, Argentine footballer Mateo Pablo.
Popular in: France, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
2. Mylan
Origin: Slavic.
Meaning: “merciful”, “dear”, “gracious”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Milan, Milann, Milàn, Mylann.
Famous namesakes: Czech writer Milan Kundera, Serbian footballer Milan Bisevac.
Popular in: France, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, and the U.S.
3. Raphael
Origin: Hebrew.
Meaning: “God heals”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Rafael, Rafaël, Raffael, Raphaël.
Famous namesakes: American comedian Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Brazilian footballer Raphael Botti, French politician Raphaël Schellenberger, French singer Raphaël Haroche, French footballer Raphaël Varane.
Popular in: France, Austria, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the U.S.
4. Elliot
Origin: Greek, Hebrew.
Meaning: “The Lord is my God”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Eliot, Eliott, Elliott, Éliott.
Famous namesakes: American actor Elliot Gould, American singer Elliot Yamin, English actor Elliott Tittensor, French tennis player Elliot Benchetrit.
Popular in: France, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Canada, New Zealand, and the U.S.
5. Théo
Origin: Greek.
Meaning: “divine gift” or “gift of God”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Theo.
Famous namesakes: Dutch artist Théo Jansen, French singer and actor Théo Sarapo, Dutch director Theo van Gogh, English footballer Theo Walcott.
Popular in: France, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
6. Liam
Origin: Irish, Germanic.
Meaning: “desire”, “guardian”, “helmet”, “protector”, “boss”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Lyam.
Famous namesakes: Irish writer Liam O’Flaherty, English musician Liam Gallagher, English musician Liam Howlett, American actor Liam Neeson, Australian actor Liam Hemsworth.
Popular in: France, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Spain, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
7. Gabriel
Origin: Hebrew.
Meaning: “God is my strong man”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Gavril, Gabor.
Famous namesakes: Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez, American actor Gabriel Macht, Irish actor Gabriel Byrne, French politician and journalist Gabriel Péri.
Popular in: France, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Spain, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
8. Ayden
Origin: Irish.
Meaning: “fire”, “little fire”, “little and fiery”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Aayden, Aiden, Aïden.
Famous namesakes: Irish footballer Aiden McGeady, American actor Aiden Turner, Canadian actor Hayden Christensen.
Popular in: France, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
9. Lucas
Origin: Greek.
Meaning: “Person from Lucania”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Luc, Loucas, Loukas, Lucais, Luccas, Lukas.
Famous namesakes: Argentine footballer Lucas Barrios, American actor Lucas Black, French actor Lucas Gridoux, Danish rapper Lucas Secon.
Popular in: France, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Spain, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
10. Matis
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “gift of Yahweh” (the Hebrew God.
Alternative spellings or variations: Mathis, Mathys, Mattis, Matiz, Mathijs, Matthijs, Matthis, Matiss, Matys.
Famous namesakes: German painter Mathis Nithart, Swiss actor Mathis Künzler, Norwegian hockey player Mathis Olimb.
Popular in: France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland.
11. Mael
Origin: Breton, Welsh.
Meaning: “chief” or “prince”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Maël.
Famous namesakes: saint Mael Ruain de Tamlacht, Irish King Mael Seachnaill I, French cartoonist Maël.
Popular in: France, Belgium, Switzerland.
12. Samuel
Origin: Hebrew.
Meaning: “name of God” or “God heard”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Sam, Sammie, Sammy, Samouel, Samuele, Samuello, Samuelson, Samelle, Shemuel, Schmuel, Shem, Zamael.
Famous namesakes: American actor Samuel L. Jackson, Irish writer Samuel Beckett, French director Samuel Benchetrit, French explorer Samuel de Champlain.
Popular in: France, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
13. Elyas
Origin: Greek, Hebrew.
Meaning: “the Lord is my God”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Elias, Ellias, Elías.
Famous namesakes: Bulgarian writer Elias Canetti, Palestinian poet Elias Sanbar.
Popular in: France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
14. Louis
Origin: German, French.
Meaning: “renowned warrior” or “famous in battle”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Lewis, Louie, Lashi, Ludis, Lucho, Louies, Lou, Lasho, Aloysius, Lewes, Luki, Ludvik, Lew, Ludovicus.
Famous namesakes: French King Louis XVI, American actor Louis Zorich, French rugby player Louis Picamoles.
Popular in: France, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
15. Timeo
Origin: Italian, Greek.
Meaning: “honor”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Timéo, Tyméo.
Famous namesakes: French actor Timéo Leloup.
Popular in: France, Belgium.
16. Arthur
Origin: Roman, Irish.
Meaning: “bear”, “eagle”, “stone”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Authur, Artus, Artur, Arthor, Arther, Artek, Artair, Arturo.
Famous namesakes: German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, French poet Arthur Rimbaud, British writer Arthur Conan Doyle, French actor Arthur Dupont, American director Arthur Penn.
Popular in: France, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
17. Nathan
Origin: Hebrew.
Meaning: “gift from God” or “he gave”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Nathian, Naythan, Nat, Nathann, Nate, Nathon, Naethan, Nathean, Natthan, Nathin, Nathen, Nethan, Nathyn.
Famous namesakes: Canadian actor Nathan Fillion, American musician Nathan Milstein, American novelist Nathan Hawthorne, American actor Nathan Lane.
Popular in: France, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
18. Nael
Origin: Arabic.
Meaning: “brave”, “winner”, “what Allah gives to someone”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Naël.
Famous namesakes: French actor and director Naël Marandin, French actor Naël Malassagne.
Popular in: France, Brazil, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
19. Énaël
Origin: Breton.
Meaning: “God has answered”, “grace”, “angel”, “grace” and “favor”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Enaël, Énael.
Famous namesakes: none at the moment since it’s a recent name.
Popular in: France.
20. Élouann
Origin: Celtic.
Meaning: “richness” or “light”.
Alternative spellings or variations: Elouan.
Famous namesakes: not applicable.
Popular in: France.
Conclusion
There you have it. The 20 most popular French names for boys in 2020. As you can see, some of them are really old and derive from Greek or Hebrew, while a few are fairly recent. Did you notice that the most popular names in France are usually also popular in Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada? That is because they share the same language.
Had you heard the names mentioned above? Were there any new names? Would you choose one of them for your baby? Let me know in the comments below. Au revoir, les amis!
This is a wonderful and inspiring list of French names for boys. As a parent to be this could be a great starting point for ideas. I love the name Elliot, as it’s classy with a modern feel. My cousin has named one of his boys Lucas, so nice to see it on the list! Samuel is another nice name, and my great grandfather was named Samuel. Thanks for sharing:)
Hi, Kathy,
Glad you liked it! So many names to choose from, right? Some of them go way back in history, while others are more recent. Feel free to share with your loved ones.
Thanks for commenting.
Hi Enrique,
I think this is a great list of names for a baby boy. I like how you included so many things about the name. It was nice to see where the names are popular and what famous person has the name. I have heard of most of these names and have known people have had some of these names. I particularly like the names Theo, Elliot, and Lucas.
-Amanda
Hi, Amanda,
Thank you! I thought people would be interested in getting a few details like that. I know many people name their babies after a celebrity, so I thought it was a good idea to let them know who has that name and help them decide in case they haven’t
Thanks for commenting.
These names are so beautiful! I really never had thought about French names for boys. I have a friend who is expecting and she is in search of names right now. I will recommend this blog post to her. Maybe she will find one that she really likes.
Hi, Shyla,
Thanks! Feel free to share this. I’m sure your friend will find some inspiration. By the way, I just wrote a post about popular names for girls. You can check it out here.
Thanks for commenting.