The original version of this post was published in 2019 as “Top 20 first names in France”, and, according to WordPress, has proved to be one of the most popular I have written. I’m not sure that I can explain why, but possibly we all have a fascination with names?

I have recently read a stunning novel called ‘The Names’ by Florence Knapp, which poses the question: Are we defined by our first names? Would our lives have turned out differently with an alternative name? I briefly reviewed the book in my last post.

I obtained my 2025 information (2026 has yet to be published) from INSEE. This is the National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies in France. Below are the Top 10 most popular girls’ names in France:

  1. Louise
  2. Jade
  3. Ambre
  4. Alma
  5. Alba
  6. Rose
  7. Emma
  8. Romy
  9. Adèle
  10. Alice

Here is the list of the Top 10 most popular boys’ names in France:

  1. Gabriel
  2. Noah
  3. Léo
  4. Raphaël
  5. Louis
  6. Jules
  7. Arthur
  8. Léon
  9. Adam
  10. Maël

The only name new to me is Maël, a Breton name meaning “chief” or “prince”. I rather like it!

Do you have any names from these lists that you like or maybe some that you dislike? Which names do you love? They don’t have to be French!

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