France is a Catholic country, and therefore several child names are not uncommon. Such a practice is based on the belief that more saints will patronize the baby in this way. In addition, in France, having several names, you can call any of the data at birth, while there is no need to replace official documents. Double male French names, like female ones, are hyphenated and considered a single name.
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History of the origin of French names
The origin of French names is an interesting process. For a long time, various historical events influenced him, giving rise to ever new variations. Bridget and Alan got from the Celts, the Greeks and Jews gave Dion and Eve, Valeri and Mark came from Rome. It was only in the 18th century that a law was passed on choosing a child’s name strictly from the Catholic church calendar.
The meaning of the name has always played a big role, parents tried to give names not only sonorous, but also with favorable meanings.
Now there is no law on strict choice of a name, parents can choose any for their child, but the bulk continues to adhere to classical French traditions.
There is a special tradition according to which a child is given several names.
So, the name of the first son will consist of:
- the name of the paternal grandfather;
- then - the maternal grandfather;
- the name of the saint corresponding to the day of baptism.
The girl will change the first two names in places: first they will remember the grandmother by mother, then - by father, the name of the saint will remain in its place.
List of beautiful names for boys
Parents carefully choose a name for their baby, it should be not only harmonious, but also have a positive meaning.
For example, some beautiful French masculine names in translation mean:
- Augustine - “venerable”;
- Raul - the “wise wolf”;
- Alain - “beautiful”;
- Valentine - “strong”;
- Jean - “good God”;
- Stefan - the “crown”;
- Emil - “competitive”;
- Olivier - “elf army”;
- Gaston - "Arrived from Gascony".
Most often, the qualities attributed to a saint were attributed to the child.
As a result of the child acquiring three names (one from grandfathers and one from baptism), three saints stood on his protection.
Rare male names of French origin
There are names that are rarely used by the French today, when choosing for their child.
Among them:
- Amorai - “the power of work”;
- Easter - “Easter”;
- Alfons - “ready for anything”;
- Modger - “spear of advice”;
- Amedi - “loving God”;
- Perrin - "stone";
- Philibert - “famous”;
- Obe - "noble."
These names are not popular with modern parents, and the French are free to choose almost any child. There are limitations regarding sonority as well as meaning. Such freedom allowed a large number of borrowed foreign names to reappear.
The most common
Naturally, it is worth recalling the most common and popular French names, as well as famous men, their carriers:
- Jean - Jean Baptiste Moliere, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Jean Marais, Jean Paul Belmondo;
- Michelle - Michelle Montignac, Michelle Plasson, Michel Platini;
- Philippe - Philippe IV, Philippe de Vitry, Philippe Noire;
- Alan - Alan of Lille, Alan Francis Brooke;
- Patrick - Patrick Viera, Patrick Depaye, Patrick Demarchelier;
- Pierre - Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, Pierre Richard, Pierre Jules Theophile Gautier;
- Nicolas - Nicolas Lapierre, Nicolas Sarkazi, Nicolas Flamel;
- Christophe - Christophe Mishlak, Christoph Lemaire, Christoph de Margerie;
- Christian - Christian Clavier, Christian Combaz;
- Daniel - Daniel Esther, Daniel Bensaid, Daniel Pennak;
- Bernard - Bernard Ardura, Bernard Buffet, Bernard Courtois;
- Eric - Eric Satie, Eric Tabarli.
These names go first on the list of the most popular names for boys in France. Not all of them have purely French roots, but most are associated precisely with France.
Ancient, forgotten
They are trying to give original names to newborns recently in all countries. And the names of celebrities become fashionable, regardless of their origin. The French in following this trend were no exception.
Parents are allowed to give any names that do not offend the child.
But also, like other nations, the French have ancient names that deserve attention, for example, Silestine, Barthelemy, Eugene.
