French Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Meaning and Origin

Are you looking for a unique and beautiful name for your baby? French names are known for their elegance, sophistication, and rich history. From classic favorites like Marie and Pierre to modern choices like Celeste and Lucas, there's a French name for every taste. This comprehensive guide will explore the meanings and origins of popular French names, giving you a better understanding of the perfect name for your little one.
1. **Adrien:** Meaning "man of Adria," referring to a region in northern Italy, or "dark" or "strong."

2. **Alain:** Meaning "harmonious," derived from the Germanic word "Athal."

3. **Alexandre:** Meaning "defender of mankind," from the Greek words "alexo" (to defend) and "aner" (man).

4. **André:** Meaning "manly" or "strong," from the Greek word "andros."

5. **Antoine:** Meaning "priceless" or "invaluable," from the Latin word "Antonius."

6. **Arnaud:** Meaning "powerful ruler," from the Germanic words "arn" (eagle) and "wald" (rule).

7. **Arthur:** Meaning "bear," from the Celtic word "Arth."

8. **Augustin:** Meaning "venerable" or "majestic," from the Latin word "Augustus."

9. **Baptiste:** Meaning "baptized," from the Greek word "baptizo."

10. **Benjamin:** Meaning "son of the right hand," from the Hebrew word "ben-yamin."

11. **Benoît:** Meaning "blessed," from the Latin word "benedictus."

12. **Bernard:** Meaning "brave as a bear," from the Germanic words "bern" (bear) and "hard" (brave).

13. **Blaise:** Meaning "to stammer," from the Latin word "balbus."

14. **Charles:** Meaning "free man," from the Germanic word "Karl."

15. **Christian:** Meaning "follower of Christ," from the Greek word "Christos."

16. **Clément:** Meaning "merciful," from the Latin word "Clemens."

17. **David:** Meaning "beloved," from the Hebrew word "David."

18. **Denis:** Meaning "belonging to Dionysus," the Greek god of wine and revelry.

19. **Édouard:** Meaning "wealthy guardian," from the Germanic words "ead" (wealth) and "ward" (guardian).

20. **Émile:** Meaning "industrious," from the Latin word "aemulus."

21. **Éric:** Meaning "ever ruler," from the Norse word "erik."

22. **Étienne:** Meaning "crown," from the Greek word "stephanos."

23. **Eugène:** Meaning "well-born," from the Greek word "eugenes."

24. **Fabrice:** Meaning "craftsman," from the Latin word "faber."

25. **Félix:** Meaning "lucky," from the Latin word "felix."

26. **François:** Meaning "free man," from the Germanic word "Frank."

27. **Gabriel:** Meaning "God is my strength," from the Hebrew words "Gabi" (God) and "el" (strength).

28. **Gaston:** Meaning "protector," from the Germanic word "gast."

29. **Grégoire:** Meaning "watchful," from the Greek word "gregoreos."

30. **Guillaume:** Meaning "helmet of will," from the Germanic words "wil" (will) and "helm" (helmet).

31. **Henri:** Meaning "ruler of the home," from the Germanic words "heim" (home) and "ric" (ruler).

32. **Jacques:** Meaning "supplanter," from the Hebrew word "Ya'akov."

33. **Jean:** Meaning "God is gracious," from the Hebrew word "Yahweh."

34. **Jérôme:** Meaning "sacred name," from the Greek word "Hieronymus."

35. **Joachim:** Meaning "God has prepared," from the Hebrew words "Yahweh" (God) and "hekem" (to prepare).

36. **Joseph:** Meaning "God will increase," from the Hebrew words "Yahweh" (God) and "yosef" (to increase).

37. **Julien:** Meaning "youthful," from the Latin word "Julius."

38. **Laurent:** Meaning "laurel," from the Latin word "laurus."

39. **Léon:** Meaning "lion," from the Greek word "leon."

40. **Louis:** Meaning "famous warrior," from the Germanic words "hlud" (famous) and "wig" (warrior).

41. **Luc:** Meaning "light," from the Latin word "lux."

42. **Marc:** Meaning "warlike," from the Latin word "Marcus."

43. **Martin:** Meaning "warlike," from the Latin word "Mars."

44. **Mathieu:** Meaning "gift of Yahweh," from the Hebrew words "Yahweh" (God) and "mattiyah" (gift).

45. **Maxime:** Meaning "greatest," from the Latin word "maximus."

46. **Michel:** Meaning "who is like God," from the Hebrew words "mi" (who) and "ka'el" (like God).

47. **Nicolas:** Meaning "victory of the people," from the Greek words "nike" (victory) and "laos" (people).

48. **Olivier:** Meaning "olive tree," from the Latin word "oliva."

49. **Paul:** Meaning "small," from the Latin word "Paulus."

50. **Pierre:** Meaning "stone," from the Greek word "petros."

51. **Philippe:** Meaning "lover of horses," from the Greek words "philos" (lover) and "hippos" (horse).

52. **Raphael:** Meaning "God has healed," from the Hebrew words "Rapha" (God) and "el" (heal).

53. **Rémi:** Meaning "oarsman," from the Latin word "remus."

54. **Richard:** Meaning "strong ruler," from the Germanic words "ric" (ruler) and "hard" (strong).

55. **Robert:** Meaning "bright fame," from the Germanic words "hrod" (bright) and "berht" (fame).

56. **Roger:** Meaning "famous spear," from the Germanic words "hrod" (famous) and "ger" (spear).

57. **Romain:** Meaning "from Rome," from the Latin word "Romanus."

58. **Samuel:** Meaning "God has heard," from the Hebrew words "shem" (God) and "el" (heard).

59. **Sébastien:** Meaning "venerable," from the Latin word "Sebastianus."

60. **Simon:** Meaning "listener," from the Hebrew word " שמע (shema)."

61. **Stéphane:** Meaning "crown," from the Greek word "stephanos."

62. **Thomas:** Meaning "twin," from the Aramaic word "ta'oma."

63. **Thierry:** Meaning "ruler of the people," from the Germanic words "theud" (people) and "ric" (ruler).

64. **Valentin:** Meaning "strong and healthy," from the Latin word "valentinus."

65. **Victor:** Meaning "conqueror," from the Latin word "victor."

66. **Vincent:** Meaning "conquering," from the Latin word "vincens."

67. **Virgile:** Meaning "vigorous," from the Latin word "vir."

68. **Xavier:** Meaning "bright house," from the Basque word "xabier."