Were you wondering what were the most given baby names in France? French Iceberg has the answer for you!
Beginning in July 2023 the French National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) published a new report about the most given baby names in France from last year.
This is a simple report showing the ten most given French baby girl names and the ten most given French baby boy names.
If you were looking for a new trending baby name, this is the place! You will find the ranking and the meaning of each French baby name.
And if you want to learn more about French names, we invite you to read our article about the most popular French last names in France.
Most Given Baby Girl Names in France in 2022
Fun fact, 90% of the baby girl names are ending with a “e” or “a” except for one. Actually, the top ten most given baby girl names in France in 2022 remain almost the same with a new one (Lina) and one out (Mia) compared to 2021.
- Jade
Number: 3420
Most popular baby girl name in France in 2022, this name is often associated with the semi-precious stone of the same name, the rock coming from the Orient whose color varies from olive-white to dark green. It gives a connotation of purity and strength. The name comes from the Spanish “ijada”. Jade is a radiant, charming woman.
In recent years, this name has steadily gained in popularity with French parents and is now in the first place. Fun fact, the daughter of Mike Jagger is named Jade Jagger.
- Louise
Number: 3412
Louise is a classic, timeless French name that remains popular with parents. Comes from the German “hold et wig” meaning “illustrious and fighting”. Louise is a go-getter and a daredevil who doesn’t shy away from a challenge!
Fun fact, the French actress Louis Bourgoin is one of the representatives in France for this name.
- Ambre
Number: 3380
The name Ambre has grown in popularity in recent years, becoming one of the most popular first names for girls in France.
These names have two origins. Either from the Arabic word “ambra”, meaning ambergris, a fragrant substance used in perfumery for its musk-like scent. Or from the Germanic “ambr”, the name of a Germanic people, the Ambrones. This first name appeared in the second half of the 20th century.
Communicative, Ambre expresses and defends her ideas. In France, there is the French journalist Ambre Chalumeau working for the TV show Quotidien.
- Alba
Number: 3280
French parents chose this name for their daughter because in Latin origin it means “white” or “daylight”. In Spanish and Italian, it also means “dawn”.
Alba is said to be a tender person. Alba is also gentle, romantic and in need of love and affection.
- Emma
Number: 3158
Emma is a very common first name in English-speaking countries. This name has Hebrew origins from Immanouel meaning God with us. Emma comes from Germanic from “ermin” which means “housel” or “all-powerful”. It has only really taken off in France since the 2000s. People named Emma have a sense of justice and morality
Fun fact, in the UK there is Emma Watson and in the USA, Emma Stone with the first name. But if I had to name a French celebrity it would be the French female singer Emma Peters.
- Rose
Number: 2692
Rose is a classic, timeless name that remains very popular in France. A symbol of love, the rose was also a Christian emblem of decency. This name comes from the Latin “rosa”. Rose’s character is both gentle and firm.
Unfortunately, there were no important French celebrities with this first name.
- Alice
Number: 2520
An old version of Adélaïd, The first name Alice is of Germanic origin and means “noble” giving noble bloodlines. It is often associated with personality traits such as gentleness, kindness, and curiosity.
We can name at least two famous French actresses Alice David and Alice Pol.
- Romy
Number: 2409
The first name Romy is a diminutive of Rose-Marie, a combination of the first names Rose from the Latin rosa, meaning “flower”, and Marie from the Hebrew meaning “loved”.This first name gained in popularity from those last years in France and was registered only in the sixties. Romys are said to be creative and daring.
There is a French YouTuber named Romy who has 1.5 millions of followers. But probably the most famous Romy in France is the Franco-German actress Romy Schneider who played in the iconic French movie “La piscine” with Alain Delon in 1969.
- Anna
Number: 2380
Anna is a variant from “Anne” who comes from the Hebrew “Hannah” meaning “grace”. It is associated with someone who is spiritual and open for communication. This first name came back popular in France at the end of the nineties.
Unfortunately, there are not that many famous celebrities named Anna in France.
- Lina
Number: 2355
Lina comes from the German name “Lind”. For English speakers, it’s short for Carolina or Angelina. It is associated with someone who is fearless and strong-willed. This first name became popular in France at the end of the nineties.
Unfortunately, there are no famous celebrities named Lina in France.
Most Given Baby Boy Names in France in 2022
The top three will remain the same from 2021 to 2022. Actually, the top ten most given baby boy names in France remain the same but there are some changes.
- Gabriel
Number: 4889
The most popular baby boy names in France in 2022, Gabriel is from the Hebrew gavar, “strength”, and El, “God”. Gabriel could be translated as “God is my strength”. The angel Gabriel is a messenger of God in both the Bible and the Koran. In the Bible, he announces the birth of Jesus to Mary. This first name became popular in France at the end of the nineties.
Unfortunately, there are no famous celebrities named Gabriel in France.
- Léo
Number: 4078
Léo is from the Latin “Lion”. Léo is a dynamic and cheerful person. This first name became popular in France in the mid-eighties.
Fun fact, the famous French singer Léo Ferré is one of the representatives in France for this name.
- Raphaël
Number: 3798
Raphaël is from the Hebrew “Rephaël” meaning “God healed”. This first name became popular in France in the sixties before gaining additional popularity in the 00s.
Fun fact, The French soccer player Raphaël Varane is one of the representatives in France for this name. There is also the French singer Raphael (with no accent).
- Maël
Number: 3571
Maël comes from the Celtic meaning: “prince, lord”.This first name was always a popular French baby boy name in Brittany (French region) but only gained in popularity in the rest of France starting in the 90s. Maël is a phlegmatic, patient, and stubborn person.
Unfortunately, there are no famous celebrities named Maël in France.
- Louis
Number: 3560
Louis is linked to the german version “Luis” that comes from “hlod” meaning “illustrious in battle’. Popular name in the country over the long history of France due to the high number of French Kings named “Louis”, 17 in total. Louis is a determined and conscientious person. This first name started to gain popularity in France at the beginning of the 00s.
Fun fact, there were many French kings named Louis, with the two most famous ones Louis XIV (The Sun King) and Louis XVI (got killed).
- Noah
Number: 3325
Noah comes from the Hebrew origin it is linked to Noa meaning “rested, appeased”. Noah is becoming more and more popular in France over the last decade. Noah is a calm and thoughtful person.
Fun fact, there is the tennis player Yannick Noah who is one of the representatives in France for this name. But in his case, Noah is his last name. There is also his son Joakim Noah (ex-NBA player).
- Jules
Number: 3308
Jules comes from the Latin “Julius”. This first name started to become popular in France in the nineties. Jules is a hard-working person and has a sense of duty.
Fun fact, The famous politician Jules Ferry is one of the representatives in France for this name. There is also the French soccer player Jules Koundé.
- Arthur
Number: 3284
Arthur comes from the Celtic “artos” meaning “bears or “art” meaning “rock”. Arthur is a shy and sensitive person. This first name started to become popular in France in the mid-eighties.
Fun fact, The French poet Arthur Rimbaud is one of the representatives in France for this name.
- Adam
Number: 3212
Adam means in Hebrew “man (formed with) red earth”. This first name started to become popular in France in the late nineties. Adam is a determined and ambitious person.
Unfortunately, there are no famous celebrities named Adam in France.
- Lucas
Number: 2774
Lucas is from the Latin “lux” meaning “the light”. Lucas is a strong-willed, stubborn, and hyperactive person. This first name started to become popular in France at the beginning of the nineties.
Fun fact, The French youtuber Squeezie (real name Lucas) is one of the representatives in France for this name. There are also Lucas Hernandez (soccer player) and Lucas Pouille (tennis player).
We hope this ranking of the most given baby names in France will inspire you if you are looking for French baby names. Or, if you want to step apart and be original, you will know which baby names you should not give.