132 French Boy Names (with Meanings and Pronunciation)

Hey there, soon-to-be parents! Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy. If you're reading this, I'm guessing you've got a soft spot for all things French. Maybe you're dreaming of your little one growing up to be the next great French philosopher, or perhaps you just love the way French names roll off the tongue. Whatever your reason, you're in for a treat because French boys' names are like fine wine – classic, rich in history, and oh-so-sophisticated.

A Little Stroll Through French Name History

French boys' names draw on Roman, Germanic, Christian, and Celtic roots, like a delicious cultural stew with ingredients from all over the place:

• Roman influence: Think of names like Marcel or Victor. These are the kinds of names that make you want to stand up straighter and maybe conquer a small country.
• Germanic touch: Names like Robert or Richard. Perfect if you want your kid to sound like he could lead a medieval army (or just dominate the playground).
• Christian inspiration: Jean, Pierre, Jacques – it's like a who's who of the Bible, but make it French.
• Celtic flair: For those who want their kid to sound like he stepped out of a fantasy novel. Loïc, anyone?

But wait, there's more! French names have been shaped by everything from ancient traditions to modern pop culture. It's like a historical rollercoaster ride, but with better fashion sense. French law played a part too: a law dated April 1, 1803 limited first names to those on calendars and to figures of ancient history, and it stayed in force until January 1993, according to a 1997 article in the journal Names.

The A to Z of French Boys' Names

Here is a sampler platter of French boys' names from A to Z:

A is for Awesome

• Adrien (ah-dree-EN): From Latin Hadrianus, meaning "from Hadria" – For the kid who's destined to swim like a champ or date a rocky boxer.
• Aimé (eh-MAY): Meaning "beloved" – "Beloved," because who doesn't love a kid who can pronounce French words better than you?
• Alain (ah-LEN): French form of Alan, meaning "little rock" or "handsome" – When you want your kid to sound like a sophisticated James Bond villain from day one.
• Alexandre (ah-lek-SAHN-druh): French form of Alexander, meaning "defender of mankind" – For parents who hope their kid will conquer the playground... and maybe a small part of Asia.
• Alexis (ah-lek-SEE): Greek origin, meaning "defender" – Greek for "defender," or modern for "will definitely be mixed up with the girls named Alexis."
• Alfred (al-FRED): Germanic origin, meaning "elf counsel" – Perfect if you're hoping your kid will grow up to be Batman's butler.
• Alphonse (al-FONS): Germanic origin, meaning "noble and ready" – Sounds like he should be solving crimes in a 1920s speakeasy.
• Amaury (ah-mo-REE): Germanic origin, meaning "work ruler" – For the baby who came out looking like he already has a job.
• André (ahn-DRAY): French form of Andrew, meaning "manly" – The kid who's guaranteed to have better dance moves than you by age 3.
• Antoine (ahn-TWAN): French form of Anthony, meaning "priceless one" – When you want your kid to sound like he was born in a château.
• Arnaud (ar-NO): Germanic origin, meaning "eagle power" – Eagle power? More like "diaper power," am I right?
• Arthur (ar-TUHR): Celtic origin, meaning "bear" or "stone" – For the round table of your kitchen high chair.
• Auguste (oh-GUST): From Latin Augustus, meaning "great" or "venerable" – Sounds distinguished, but probably just means more dignified spit-ups.

B is for Beau

• Baptiste (bah-TEEST): Meaning "baptist," often referring to John the Baptist – For the baby who came out of the womb ready to perform impromptu baptisms.
• Bastien (bas-tee-EN): Diminutive of Sébastien – When Sebastian is just too mainstream for your hipster sensibilities.
• Benoît (buh-NWA): From Latin Benedictus, meaning "blessed" – Blessed with a name that English speakers will mispronounce forever.
• Bernard (ber-NAR): Germanic origin, meaning "brave as a bear" – For the kid you suspect might actually be a St. Bernard puppy.
• Bertrand (ber-TRAHN): Germanic origin, meaning "bright raven" – Sounds like he should be wearing a monocle and sipping tea... from a bottle.
• Blaise (BLEZ): Latin origin, meaning "lisping" or "stuttering" – For the child you expect to grow up to be a cool jazz musician or a slightly confused pyromaniac.
• Bruno (broo-NO): Germanic origin, meaning "brown" – He'll either be a tough guy or really into disco. There's no in-between.

C is for Charming

• Cédric (say-DREEK): Celtic origin, popularized by Sir Walter Scott's novel "Ivanhoe" – When you want your kid to sound like he belongs in a fantasy novel.
• Charles (sharl): Germanic origin, meaning "free man" – For the baby born wearing a tiny crown.
• Christian (krees-tee-AHN): Meaning "follower of Christ" – Not necessarily more pious, but definitely more French.
• Christophe (krees-TOF): French form of Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ" – Christopher Columbus, but make it fashion.
• Claude (klohd): Latin origin, meaning "lame" or "enclosing" – For the baby who looks like a tiny, adorable French painter.
• Clément (klay-MAHN): Latin origin, meaning "merciful" – Merciful? Maybe. Clement weather? Definitely not guaranteed.
• Corentin (ko-rahn-TAN): Breton origin, meaning "hurricane" – Sounds like a weather phenomenon. "Watch out for Hurricane Corentin in the terrible twos!"

D is for Dashing

• Damien (da-mee-EN): Greek origin, meaning "to tame" – For parents who are really into horror movies but want to keep it classy.
• Daniel (da-nee-EL): Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge" – Dan, Daniel, Danny, or Dany? Nah, it's da-nee-EL, because France.
• David (da-VEED): Hebrew origin, meaning "beloved" – Pronounced "da-VEED," because regular David was just too simple.
• Denis (duh-NEE): French form of Dionysius, associated with the Greek god of wine – Not to be confused with Dennis the Menace, but the potential is there.
• Didier (dee-dee-AY): Occitan form of Desiderius, meaning "desired" – Sounds like a fun game. "Didier do his homework?" "Didier eat his vegetables?"
• Dominique (do-mee-NEEK): Latin origin, meaning "of the Lord" – Dom for short, because who has time for three syllables during a diaper change?

E is for Elegant

• Édouard (ay-dwar): French form of Edward, meaning "wealthy guardian" – Edward, but make it fancy.
• Élias (ay-lee-AS): French form of Elijah, meaning "Yahweh is God" – For when you want your kid to sound like a cool prophet.
• Émile (ay-MEEL): Latin origin, meaning "rival" – Rival? More like "arrival"... of dirty diapers.
• Emmanuel (e-ma-noo-EL): Hebrew origin, meaning "God is with us" – "God is with us," and so is this baby, very loudly at 3 AM.
• Enzo (EN-zo): Italian origin, variant of Henry, meaning "home ruler" – For the baby who came out of the womb ready to drive a Ferrari.
• Éric (ay-REEK): Norse origin, meaning "eternal ruler" – Same name, now with more accent!
• Étienne (ay-tee-EN): French form of Stephen, meaning "crown" – Stephen, but for parents who shop at Gucci instead of Gap.
• Eugène (uh-zhen): Greek origin, meaning "well-born" – For the kid who was born to be a 19th-century inventor or a hip organic farmer.

F is for Fantastique

• Fabien (fa-bee-EN): Latin origin, meaning "bean grower" – Beans, beans, the musical fruit. Fabien's name will make him toot.
• Félix (fay-LEEKS): Latin origin, meaning "happy" or "fortunate" – For parents hoping their kid will be as lucky as a cartoon cat.
• Florent (flo-RAHN): Latin origin, meaning "flowering" – Flowering? More like "flour-ing" when he decides to redecorate your kitchen.
• Franck (frahnk): Germanic origin, meaning "free" – Because Frank wasn't, well, French enough.
• François (frahn-SWA): French form of Francis, meaning "free man" – Francis, but with a side of baguette.
• Frédéric (fray-day-REEK): French form of Frederick, meaning "peaceful ruler" – Peaceful ruler? Let's hope that applies to the kingdom of your living room.

G is for Grandiose

• Gabriel (ga-bree-EL): Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my strength" – For the baby who you swear has an angelic glow (or maybe that's just spit-up).
• Gaël (ga-EL): Breton origin, meaning "generous" – Generous? Let's hope that applies to sharing toys and not sharing germs.
• Gaston (gas-TON): Germanic origin, meaning "guest" or "stranger" – No one's slick as Gaston, no one's quick as Gaston, no one makes such a peculiar baby name pick as Gaston!
• Georges (zhorzh): Greek origin, meaning "farmer" – Farmer? More like charmer. This kid's gonna have a way with the ladies in preschool.
• Gérard (zhay-RAR): Germanic origin, meaning "brave spear" – Brave spear? More like brave parents for choosing this name.
• Gilbert (zheel-BAIR): Germanic origin, meaning "bright pledge" – For the kid who sounds like he was born wearing a tweed jacket with elbow patches.
• Gilles (zheel): Greek origin, derived from Aegidius, meaning "shield" – Shield, huh? Let's hope it shields you from those 2 AM feedings.
• Grégoire (gray-GWAR): French form of Gregory, meaning "watchful" or "alert" – Gregory, but for parents who enjoy correcting people's pronunciation.
• Guillaume (gee-YOM): French form of William, meaning "resolute protection" – Because William just wasn't difficult enough for English speakers to pronounce.
• Gustave (goos-TAV): Swedish origin, meaning "staff of the Goths" – For the baby born with a tiny, sophisticated mustache.
• Guy (gee): French form of Wido, meaning "wood" – Pronounced "Gee," causing a lifetime of confusion for English speakers.

H is for Haute

• Henri (ahn-REE): French form of Henry, meaning "home ruler" – Henry, but make it fashion.
• Hugo (oo-GO): Germanic origin, meaning "mind" or "spirit" – For the baby who looks like he's contemplating the deeper meanings of "peek-a-boo."

I is for Intriguing

• Ignace (ee-NYAS): Latin origin, possibly meaning "fiery" – For the baby with a fiery personality and, possibly, fiery diapers.
• Isaac (ee-zak): Hebrew origin, meaning "laughter" – He'll be laughing all the way to the "bac" (that's French for high school diploma, folks).

J is for Jovial

• Jacques (zhak): French form of James, ultimately derived from Jacob – All the charm of Jack, now with 100% more French flair.
• Jean (zhahn): French form of John, meaning "God is gracious" – It's not a pair of pants, it's your bundle of joy!
• Jean-Baptiste (zhahn-ba-TEEST): Combination of Jean and Baptiste – For when you can't decide between two names, so you just use a hyphen.
• Jean-Pierre (zhahn-pee-AIR): Combination of Jean and Pierre – See above, but make it rocky.
• Jérôme (zhay-ROM): Greek origin, meaning "sacred name" – Sacred name? Sacred moly, that's a cute baby!
• Joël (zho-EL): Hebrew origin, meaning "Yahweh is God" – Yahweh is God, and this baby is your new lord and master.
• Joseph (zho-ZEF): Hebrew origin, meaning "he will add" – He will add... probably a few more gray hairs to your head.
• Jules (zhool): French form of Julius, possibly meaning "youthful" – For the baby who looks like he's ready to voyage to the center of the earth.
• Julien (zhoo-lee-EN): Latin origin, meaning "youthful" – Youthful... until he starts asking for the car keys.

L is for Luxurious

• Laurent (lo-RAHN): Latin origin, meaning "from Laurentum" – From Laurentum... to your living room.
• Léo (lay-O): Latin origin, meaning "lion" – The king of the jungle, and now, the king of your heart.
• Léon (lay-ON): Greek origin, meaning "lion" – See above, but make it more professional.
• Loïc (lo-EEK): Breton origin, meaning "famous warrior" – Famous warrior? More like famous worrier... about his next nap.
• Louis (loo-EE): Germanic origin, meaning "famous warrior" – For parents who want their kid to sound like royalty, even when he's throwing food.
• Luc (look): Latin origin, meaning "light" – May the force be with you... to handle those sleepless nights.
• Lucas (loo-KA): Greek origin, meaning "from Lucania" – Luke, I am your father... but in French.
• Lucien (loo-see-EN): Latin origin, meaning "light" – Light of your life, and night light enthusiast.

M is for Magnifique

• Mael (ma-EL): Celtic origin, meaning "chief" or "prince" – Chief or prince? More like chief diaper filler.
• Marc (mark): Latin origin, derived from Mars, the god of war – John, Paul, George, and... Marc? The Fifth Beatle never sounded so French.
• Marcel (mar-SEL): Latin origin, meaning "little warrior" – Little warrior, big attitude.
• Mathieu (ma-tee-Uh): French form of Matthew, meaning "gift of God" – Gift of God, and gift of sleepless nights.
• Maxime (mak-SEEM): Latin origin, meaning "greatest" – The greatest... at 3 AM wakeup calls.
• Michel (mee-SHEL): French form of Michael, meaning "who is like God?" – Who is like God? This baby, apparently, demanding worship and frequent offerings (of milk).
• Mickael (mee-ka-EL): Variant of Michael – Michel's cooler, more rock 'n' roll cousin.

N is for Notable

• Nathan (na-TAHN): Hebrew origin, meaning "he gave" – He gave... you a run for your money in the delivery room.
• Nicolas (nee-ko-LA): Greek origin, meaning "victory of the people" – Victory of the people, defeat of the full nights of sleep.
• Noé (no-AY): French form of Noah, meaning "rest" or "comfort" – Rest and comfort? Oh, the irony...
• Noël (no-EL): Latin origin, meaning "Christmas" – Born on Christmas? No, just French for "surprise, it's not a silent night anymore!"

O is for Opulent

• Olivier (o-lee-vee-AY): French form of Oliver, meaning "olive tree" – Oliver, but make it extra virgin.
• Oscar (os-KAR): Irish origin, meaning "deer lover" or "champion warrior" – The grouch? Nah, the charmer (except during diaper changes).

P is for Posh

• Pascal (pas-KAL): Latin origin, meaning "relating to Easter" – Related to Easter, or maybe just a cute little rascal?
• Patrice (pa-TREES): French form of Patrick, meaning "nobleman" – Nobleman? More like noble baby.
• Paul (pol): Latin origin, meaning "small" – It's not small, it's fun-sized!
• Philippe (fee-LEEP): French form of Philip, meaning "lover of horses" – Lover of horses, and future lover of horsepower.
• Pierre (pee-AIR): French form of Peter, meaning "rock" – Solid as a rock, especially when it's time for bed.

Q is for Quirky

• Quentin (kahn-TAN): Latin origin, meaning "fifth" – Fifth, but always first in your heart.

R is for Refined

• Raphaël (ra-fa-EL): Hebrew origin, meaning "God has healed" – God has healed... your fear of changing diapers.
• Rémi (ray-MEE): Latin origin, meaning "oarsman" – Oarsman? More like roar-man in the middle of the night.
• Rémy (ray-MEE): Variant of Rémi – See above, but with more culinary skills (thanks, Ratatouille).
• Renaud (ruh-NO): Germanic origin, meaning "ruler's advisor" – Ruler's advisor? More like ruler of your schedule.
• René (ruh-NAY): Latin origin, meaning "reborn" – Reborn, and boy, does it show at 2 AM, 3 AM, and 4 AM...
• Richard (ree-SHAR): Germanic origin, meaning "brave ruler" – Brave ruler of the playpen.
• Robert (ro-BAIR): Germanic origin, meaning "bright fame" – Bright fame? More like bright and early wake-up calls.
• Roch (rok): Germanic origin, meaning "rest" – Rest? What's that?
• Rodolphe (ro-DOLF): Germanic origin, meaning "famous wolf" – Famous wolf, or famous wolfing down of baby food?
• Roger (ro-ZHAY): Germanic origin, meaning "famous spear" – That spear better be a really soft stuffed toy.
• Roland (ro-LAHN): Germanic origin, meaning "famous land" – Famous land? More like famous landslide of dirty laundry.
• Romain (ro-MAN): Latin origin, meaning "Roman" – Roman? I thought we were going for French!

S is for Sublime

• Sacha (sa-SHA): Russian diminutive of Alexander – All the charm of Borat, none of the mankini.
• Samuel (sa-moo-EL): Hebrew origin, meaning "name of God" – Name of God, or name of "Oh God, another diaper?"
• Sébastien (say-bas-tee-EN): Greek origin, meaning "from Sebastia" – Under the sea? More like under a sea of baby toys.
• Serge (serzh): Latin origin, meaning "servant" – Servant? Yes, that's you now, proud parent.
• Simon (see-MON): Hebrew origin, meaning "he has heard" – He has heard... your desperation for a full night's sleep.
• Stéphane (stay-FAN): French form of Stephen, meaning "crown" – Crown? The only crown here is the one you'll give yourself for surviving parenthood.
• Sylvain (seel-VAN): Latin origin, meaning "of the forest" – Of the forest? More like of the living room floor, covered in toys.

T is for Très Chic

• Théo (tay-O): Greek origin, meaning "gift of God" – Gift of God, and gift of endless "theo-logical" discussions about bedtime.
• Théodore (tay-o-DOR): Greek origin, meaning "gift of God" – Another gift of God. He must be feeling extra generous.
• Thibault (tee-BO): Germanic origin, meaning "bold people" – Bold people? Bold move naming your kid this, for sure.
• Thierry (tee-AIR-ree): French form of Theodoric, meaning "ruler of the people" – Ruler of the people, or at least ruler of your heart.
• Thomas (to-MA): Aramaic origin, meaning "twin" – Twin? Let's hope not, for your sake.
• Timothée (tee-mo-TAY): Greek origin, meaning "honoring God" – Honoring God by honoring nap time, hopefully.
• Tristan (trees-TAHN): Celtic origin, meaning "noise" or "sorrowful" – Noise or sorrowful? Probably both at 3 AM.

V is for Vivacious

• Valentin (va-lahn-TAN): Latin origin, meaning "strong, healthy" – Strong and healthy, and hopefully a strong, healthy sleeper.
• Victor (veek-TOR): Latin origin, meaning "conqueror" – Conqueror of your hearts and your free time.
• Vincent (van-SAHN): Latin origin, meaning "conquering" – Conquering naptime like a champ.

X is for Xtra special

• Xavier (za-vee-AY): Basque origin, meaning "new house" or "bright" – New house? New life is more like it!

Y is for Youthful

• Yann (yan): Breton form of John – God is gracious, and so are you for the 5 AM feedings.
• Yannick (ya-NEEK): Breton diminutive of Yann – See above, but make it sporty.
• Yves (eev): Germanic origin, meaning "yew" – Yew tree, or "You've" got to be kidding me with these 2 AM wake-ups.

Z is for Zealous

• Zacharie (za-ka-REE): Hebrew origin, meaning "remembered by God" – Remembered by God, and remembered by you every hour on the hour.

What's Hot in the French Baby Name World?

Here are ten favorites of ours for your little guy. For official yearly rankings, Insee, France's national statistics office, publishes a first-name file with births counted by name and sex since 1900:

1. Gabriel: Angelic, but make it cool.
2. Léo: Short, sweet, and roaringly cute.
3. Raphaël: For the artsy (or ninja turtle) vibe.
4. Arthur: For the round table of your kitchen.
5. Louis: Royalty vibes without the responsibility.
6. Jules: Verne-acular choice (sorry, couldn't resist).
7. Adam: Bringing it back to the garden.
8. Lucas: May the force be with him (in French).
9. Hugo: For your little boss baby.
10. Maël: Breton chic for the win.

Unique Names for Unique Little Dudes

Want something a bit more off the beaten path? Try these on for size:

• Aurélien: It means "golden." No pressure, kid.
• Elouan: Breton for "light." Perfect for your little ray of sunshine.
• Timothée: Suddenly very cool, thanks to a certain peach-loving actor.
• Anatole: Sounds like he should be solving mysteries in a Parisian café.
• Lucien: For the kid who's born to be mysterious and brooding (in a cute way).

French Name Variants: Mix and Match

Why settle for one name when you can have multiple versions? It's like a 2-for-1 deal, but with names:

• Charles: Goes by Charlie? Adorable. Charlot? Even more adorable.
• Jacques: Jack for everyday, Jacquot for when you're feeling extra French.
• Nicolas: Nico for the cool kid, Colin for the classic touch.
• Alexandre: Alex when he's saving the world, Sacha when he's being mysterious.
• Sébastien: Seb for short, Bastien for when you're channeling your inner "Neverending Story" fan.

A Word on French Pronunciation (Don't Panic!)

French pronunciation is not as scary as it looks, and a few quick tips will get you most of the way there:

• Forget everything you know about pronouncing the letter "R". In French, it's more like a gentle throat clear.
• Final consonants? What final consonants? (Louis is more "Louie" than "Lewis")
• Nasal sounds are your new best friend. (Jean isn't "Gene," it's more like "Zhon")
• When in doubt, add a little "uh" sound at the end. It's not always right, but it's often close enough.

Don't sweat it too much. Even if you don't nail it, it'll still sound charming with your accent!

The Meaning Behind the Madness

Some names come with a side of deep meaning. It's like getting extra fries with your name burger:

• Noël: Born around Christmas? This name's got you covered.
• Olivier: Peace and fruitfulness. Maybe he'll share his snacks?
• Benoît: "Blessed" – for when you're feeling especially grateful (or sleep-deprived).
• Aimé: "Loved" – because, well, duh.
• Pascal: Easter baby? Hop to it!

French Naming Laws: Yes, That's a Thing

France has rules about first names, but they are looser than many people think. According to Service-Public, the French government's information site:

• There is no official list of allowed or forbidden first names.
• A first name cannot infringe another person's right to protect their family name.
• The registrar cannot refuse a name, but can alert the public prosecutor if it seems contrary to the child's interest, and a judge can order it removed. So maybe reconsider "Broccoli" as a name.

And if you're not registering your child in France, these rules do not apply to you at all.

Picking the Perfect Name: A Mini-Guide

Choosing a name is tough, we get it. Here's a quick checklist to help you out:

1. Can you pronounce it without hurting yourself?
2. Will your kid hate you for it when they're 13? (Trick question, they'll probably hate you anyway, but you get the point)
3. Does it sound good with your last name, or does it create an unfortunate acronym?
4. Is it meaningful to you, or did you just pick it because it sounded fancy?
5. How does it pair with "Stop that right now!" (You'll be saying this a lot, trust us)

Remember, whatever you choose, your little guy is going to rock it because he's yours.

French Names in Pop Culture: Because Why Not?

Let's face it, we're all influenced by what we see on TV and in movies. Here are some French names that got a boost from the spotlight:

• Jean-Luc: Star Trek fans, make it so!
• Amélie: Okay, it's a girl's name, but the movie might inspire you.
• Rémy: Ratatouille made this name extra delicious.
• Luc: As in Besson, for the film buffs out there.
• Thierry: Henry made this name a soccer legend.

Future Name Trends: Our Crystal Ball Says...

Want to be ahead of the curve? Here's what we think might be big in French baby names:

• Short and sweet names (because ain't nobody got time for long names)
• Nature-inspired names (Tree? River? Baguette? Okay, maybe not that last one)
• Vintage names making a comeback (Hello, Grandpa's name book!)
• Names that work internationally (because your kid might be the next big thing)

A Final Note

Choosing a French name for your boy is like giving him a little piece of France to carry with him always. It's a connection to a rich culture, a beautiful language, and possibly a lifetime of correcting people's pronunciation.

But seriously, whether you go classic with a Jean-Luc or modern with a Léo, your child's name is going to be perfect because you chose it with love. And hey, if all else fails, there's always "Baguette." (Just kidding, please don't name your kid Baguette.)

Remember, a name is just the start. It's what you fill it with – love, laughter, and maybe a few French pastries – that really matters.

Bonne chance, future parents! May your coffee be strong, your baby's sleep be long, and your chosen French name be magnifique. Now go forth and name that baby! (But maybe sleep on it first, yeah?)

Gifts for Your Little Monsieur

Organic onesies for your handsome little guy, matching dad-and-me sets, and keepsake baby gifts, from small treats to baby shower showstoppers.

Baby Toys & Playtime Favorites

Beyond clothes, here are the toys our little customers love most: first cuddly friends, wooden toys built to last, sensory play mats, and a few heirloom pieces for big milestones.

What Do Parents Ask About French Boy Names?

What are some popular French boy names?

Gabriel, Léo, Raphaël, Arthur, and Louis are among the favorites on our list. For official rankings, Insee publishes a first-name file with births in France counted by name and sex since 1900.

Does France have a list of approved first names?

No. According to Service-Public, French parents choose their child's first names and there is no official list of permitted names.

Can a registrar in France refuse a boy's name?

No. The registrar cannot refuse the names parents choose, but can alert the public prosecutor if a name seems contrary to the child's interest, and a judge can then order it removed.

What do some French boy names mean?

Noël refers to Christmas, Olivier suggests peace, Benoît means blessed, Aimé means loved, and Pascal is linked to Easter.

Were French first names once restricted by law?

Yes. A law dated April 1, 1803 limited first names to those on calendars and to figures of ancient history. It stayed in force until January 1993, according to a 1997 article in the journal Names.

Sources: Service-Public (French government), Choix du prénom de l'enfant, retrieved 2026-10-11; Names, Willingham-McLain (1997), French naming law article, retrieved 2026-10-11; Insee, Fichier des prénoms, retrieved 2026-10-11.