50 Old French Baby Names With Meanings

old-french-baby-names-with-meanings

Old French baby names hold echoes from long ago, bringing thoughts of brave knights, magical castles, and storytellers to mind. These names show the beauty of the French language and history, reflecting timeless elegance beyond fads. We feel that the French have a Midas touch. Everything they touch turns to gold or stylish due to their chic influence. Even the classic French names bowl us over. And we are not talking about the trendy French names. Instead, we are referring to the Old French names. Old French was the Gallo-Romance dialect continuum from the 9th to the 14th century. Collectively, it was known as Langues d'oïl (1). The most common names of this time are associated with saints and religious figures. Hyphenated names were and are still very popular with the French. These names are composed of two names from the same gender. And the diminutive suffixes (-et) or (–ot) are added to the boys' names, and (–otte) or (–ette) are added to the girls' names. In France, people usually have one or more first and last names. They use one first name in daily life and the other only for official purposes. Unlike English names, there are no middle names. People don't use initials for their second or other first names. While most Old French names have been simplified with phonetic spellings, original Old French names have an element of originality with a stylish twist. From royal courts to rustic villages, these names have graced individuals from all walks of life. Below is our collection of Old French baby names sorted by gender, meaning, and origin. Browse the list and pick an adorable name that best mirrors your child's personality.

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Alyson Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble
heart image Arson Unisex Baby Sign Unisex The act of intentionally setting fire to property
heart image Audon Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Wealthy protector
heart image Avalyn Baby Girl Sign Girl Name of a sweet singing bird
heart image Boone Baby Boy Sign Boy A blessing
heart image Caliber Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Quality or level of ability or skill
heart image Chace Baby Boy Sign Boy A strong huntsman
heart image Chalmers Baby Boy Sign Boy A servant
heart image Chanel Baby Girl Sign Girl Dweller by the canal; Bottle-maker
heart image Channon Baby Boy Sign Boy Wolf's babies; the wise one
heart image Channtelle Baby Girl Sign Girl Melody; a song
heart image Chase Baby Boy Sign Boy To hunt; Capture
heart image Courage Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Bravery; Strength; Fearlessness
heart image Dagger Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A small, sharp, handheld weapon used for stabbing
heart image Darrell Baby Boy Sign Boy Open; Beloved
heart image Ellenore Baby Girl Sign Girl A foreign individual; Versatile and creative
heart image Ellison Baby Boy Sign Boy Nobleness
heart image Emmelyn Baby Girl Sign Girl The entire universe is symbolized by this name
heart image Evalyn Baby Girl Sign Girl A feminized name which means life; To live
heart image Fitzroy Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of Roy or son of the king
heart image Flannerry Baby Boy Sign Boy A person with fiery red hair
heart image Flannery Baby Girl Sign Girl A person with red-colored locks
heart image Flavia Baby Girl Sign Girl Blond; Golden
heart image Forge Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A smith; Someone employed by a smith
heart image Foyle Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A person who resides beside a pit or hollow
heart image Francene Baby Girl Sign Girl A person hailing from France
heart image Fraze Baby Boy Sign Boy A strawberry
heart image Frazer Baby Boy Sign Boy Strawberries
heart image Frazier Baby Boy Sign Boy Strawberry; A derivative of Fraise
heart image French Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A free individual belonging to France; wild horse
heart image Grail Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Desirable one
heart image Hasty Baby Boy Sign Boy A spear or arrow
heart image Heir Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A person who inherits or is entitled to inherit property or title
heart image Isle Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A small island or landmass surrounded by water
heart image Jelly Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Pet form of names with the syllable -gel or -jel
heart image Joselyn Baby Girl Sign Girl Joyous; Member of the Gauts tribe
heart image Joslyn Baby Girl Sign Girl To pour; Stream; Flowing water; Waterfall
heart image Ledger Baby Boy Sign Boy A surname derived from the German name Luitger; Composed of people and a spear
heart image Lyle Baby Boy Sign Boy One from the island
heart image Maison Baby Boy Sign Boy Occupational name; Stoneworker; Home
heart image Mavis Baby Boy Sign Boy Song thrush bird; Joy
heart image Mayson Baby Boy Sign Boy Stoneworker
heart image Melvin Baby Boy Sign Boy Bad town
heart image Perce Baby Boy Sign Boy One who pierces the valley; Hard steel; Rock, Stone; A form of Percival
heart image Quay Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Wharf
heart image Savage Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Wild; Fierce; Uncontrolled; Uncivilized
heart image Spencer Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Dispenser of provisions
heart image Talon Baby Boy Sign Boy Eagle's claws
heart image Terrell Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Thunder ruler
heart image Trace Baby Boy Sign Boy Brave

Old French names have a timeless appeal and charm. They reflect France's rich historical and cultural heritage and treasured traditions. Whether it's their tricky yet stylish pronunciation or rich cultural tapestry, Old French baby names are class apart. From names rooted in religion to those steeped in aristocracy, Old French names offer numerous options to suit different preferences. Our list above compiles baby names with meanings to help you find a name that adds a classic touch to your little one's personality.

Infographic: Wondrous Old French Baby Names

Step into a world of timeless charm with old French baby names. Each name carries a rich history and a touch of elegance, connecting your child to a legacy of beauty and culture. Go through the infographic below and choose a name for your newborn that resonates with your beliefs and tastes. Lastly, don’t forget to save and share it with others!

Classic French Names For Your Chirpy Little One (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the unique French name?

Examples of unique French baby names include Basile (king, royal), Émilien (the eager, French form of the name Aemilius), Maël (meaning prince or a chief), Pascal (related to Easter and Passover), Valentin (strong and healthy), and Sacha (defender), among others. They are probably unique since they have regal connotations and an old-world charm.

2. What is the meaning of the name "Jacques" in old French?

In Old French, the name Jacques is the French form of Iacobus and bears the meaning ‘God is merciful’ or ‘God will protect.’

3. What are some old French baby names that are gender-neutral?

Some examples of unisex French baby names include Andrea (meaning force or courage), Candide (meaning white), Elalois (meaning desirable), Gene (meaning wellborn), and Lois ( meaning more desirable). They are enchanting and have profound meanings, suitable for boys and girls.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Maintenance and Revitalization of Gallo.
    https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/pdf/doi/10.4324/9781315561271-37
Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
The following two tabs change content below.