Can You Pronounce These Old French Names? [French Language Day Quiz]

Ever noticed how names like Sophie, Lucas, and Emma pop up everywhere these days? Way too basic! For French Language Day, why not check out some old French names that actually have cool backstories? Whether you're just starting to learn French or you're already obsessed with French culture, these names give you a peek into history that today's popular names just can't match!

In this post, we'll show you some fascinating old French names that have mostly disappeared and what they actually mean. By the end of this post, you'll see how names tell us about French history, get tips on pronouncing them right, and maybe find the perfect name for your next pet or character in your French homework assignment!

How French Names Work Compared to American Ones

In France, people rarely use middle names like Americans do. Instead, French people might have two or three first names but only use one day-to-day. French boys sometimes have girl's names as their second name (like Jean-Marie) to honor a female relative, which isn't common in America.

The French government can also reject baby names they think aren't appropriate – something that would shock most Americans! While this rule has relaxed in recent years, it's one reason why traditional names stayed popular in France longer than in the US.

How French Names Changed Over Time

French names have changed a lot throughout history:

• Before 1800: Most kids got saints' names for protection and good luck
• After the French Revolution: Religious names became less common as church influence decreased
• Early 1900s: Names became shorter and simpler
• 1960s-70s: American TV shows brought names like Kevin to France
• Today: Parents mix traditional French names with international options

Old French Names For Boys

Baptiste (bah-TEEST)

• Meaning: "baptist" or "one who baptizes"
• Originally referred to followers of St. John the Baptist
• Once super common in Catholic France

Benoit (ben-WAH)

• Meaning: "blessed"
• French version of Benedict
• Named after St. Benedict who founded European monasticism

Claude (klohd)

• Meaning: originally meant "lame" in Latin
• Popular despite its meaning because of Saint Claude
• Used for both boys and girls now

Denis (duh-NEE)

• Meaning: follower of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine
• France's patron saint and first bishop of Paris
• Has nearly disappeared from baby name lists

Laurent (lor-ON)

• Meaning: "crowned with laurel"
• Once given to babies born in laurel-growing regions
• Now considered old-fashioned by younger parents

Gaston (gas-TON)

• Meaning: "from Gascony" (a region in southwest France)
• Popular in medieval times
• Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" villain gave it mixed reputation

Alain (ah-LAN)

• Meaning: "handsome" or "cheerful"
• Has Breton Celtic roots
• Common in the 1950s-60s but rare for babies now

Yves (eev)

• Meaning: "yew tree"
• Saint Yves is the patron saint of lawyers
• Designer Yves Saint Laurent kept it somewhat relevant

Henri (on-REE)

• Meaning: "home ruler"
• Name of many French kings
• Still used but much less common than in past centuries

Francois (frahn-SWAH)

• Meaning: "free one" or "Frenchman"
• Used by several French kings
• More common for older generations today

Old French Names For Girls

Bernadette (bear-nah-DET)

• Meaning: "brave as a bear"
• Made famous by St. Bernadette of Lourdes
• Strong name that peaked in the early 1900s

Colette (ko-LET)

• Meaning: "people of victory"
• Named after a 14th-century saint
• Has a vintage charm that's starting to feel cool again

Margot (mar-GO)

• Meaning: "pearl"
• Old-school nickname for Margaret
• One of the few vintage names making a comeback

Genevieve (jen-vee-EV)

• Meaning: "tribe woman"
• Patron saint of Paris who supposedly saved the city
• Classic name that sounds both old and elegant

Clothilde (klo-TEELD)

• Meaning: "famous battle"
• Name of a Frankish queen
• Too old-fashioned for most modern parents

Delphine (del-FEEN)

• Meaning: "dolphin" or "from Delphi"
• Popular in the Middle Ages
• Has a sweet, slightly mysterious sound

Eloise (el-oh-EEZ)

• Meaning: "healthy" or "wide"
• Known from medieval love stories
• Often associated with the children's book character

Berthe (bert)

• Meaning: "bright" or "famous"
• Common in Charlemagne's time
• Now mostly a great-grandma name

Josephine (jo-seh-FEEN)

• Meaning: "God will add"
• Famous as Napoleon's wife's name
• Old-fashioned but elegant

Marie-Thérèse (mah-ree teh-REZ)

• Meaning: combined name meaning "bitter" and "harvester"
• Often given to honor the Virgin Mary
• Very formal, traditional Catholic name

Celebrating French Language Day with Old Names

French Language Day (March 20th) honors French as one of the six official languages of the United Nations. It celebrates French's status as a global language spoken by over 300 million people worldwide. While most celebrations focus on French movies or literature, old names offer a fresh way to mark the occasion.

Try these activities for French Language Day:

• Host a "Name yourself in old French" party where everyone picks a historical name
• Create a timeline showing when different French names were popular
• Make a map showing which regions of France favored certain names
• Research which old French names have spread to other countries through colonization
• Compare old French names with their modern equivalents (like Guillaume → William)

Remember, names aren't just labels but are living pieces of language history that show how cultures change. By studying old French names on French Language Day, you're connecting with centuries of French speakers who shaped the language we learn today.

Quick Quiz: Test Your Old French Name Knowledge

1. Which name means "blessed"?
2. What's the meaning of Margot?
3. Which saint is Bernadette named after?
4. How do you pronounce Laurent?

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French names are just the start – to really get how the language works, you need to hear it in action. Sign up for Lingopie today and turn your French Language Day celebration into a year-round adventure. Your future French-speaking self will thank you!

FAQ: What You've Always Wanted to Know About French Names

How do French people choose their baby names today?

Modern French parents often pick names based on trends, family connections, or cultural icons. Unlike in the past, religious names aren't as dominant now. The government has relaxed naming rules, but officials can still reject names considered harmful to the child. Today's popular French names include Emma, Jade, Gabriel, and Louis – a mix of international trends and traditional French choices.

Why do some French names have accents?

Accents in French names (like é, è, or ê) change how vowels sound and are pronounced. For example, "René" sounds like "ruh-NAY," while without the accent it would be pronounced differently. These accent marks are essential parts of the name, not just decoration. When French people move to English-speaking countries, they sometimes drop accents because they're hard to include on official documents.

Can the French government really ban certain baby names?

Yes! Until 1993, French parents had to choose names from an approved list. While that strict law changed, courts can still reject names they believe might harm a child's wellbeing. Names rejected in recent years include "Nutella," "Strawberry," and "Prince William." The rule exists to protect children from potentially embarrassing or problematic names. Most Western countries have some naming restrictions, but France's are among the stricter ones.

What's the difference between French names in France and Quebec?

Quebec French names often have a time-capsule quality – names that disappeared in France generations ago still appear in Quebec. Quebec also has more compound names (like Jean-François or Marie-Claire) than modern France. Many Quebec names show stronger Catholic influences, while France has become more secular. You'll also find unique Quebec names that blend French traditions with North American patterns.

How do you pronounce French names correctly?

The trickiest parts of pronouncing French names are the nasal sounds and silent letters. For example, the "n" in "Jean" isn't pronounced like in English – instead, it nasalizes the vowel. French "r" sounds come from the back of the throat, not the front like in English. Final consonants are usually silent (Louis = "Loo-ee"). When in doubt, French people appreciate the effort even if your pronunciation isn't perfect!