If you have been thinking about naming your baby but are stuck with what kind of name to choose, French last words might be perfect. We’ve compiled a list of French surnames and their meanings to browse through. This list will allow you to find the perfect last name for your baby boy or girl, no matter what traditions or cultures you want them to follow. You can select from various traditional names and nicknames or even choose a French last name for a baby that is short for a longer term.
French last names make your child sound like they have been steeped in tradition and culture. Choosing a previous French name allows you to honor your heritage while still selecting the perfect name! Browse through our list of French last names, ranging from traditional to modern, to find the one that is the ideal fit for your new baby boy or girl. If you have been thinking about naming your baby but are stuck with what kind of name to choose, this might be a perfect choice.
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1. Allaire
Allaire’s surname is given to residents of the town of the same name in Canada. In the United States and Canada, two lines of the Allaire family have been established. Quebec, New France, became home to one Allaire in 1658, while New Rochelle, New York, became home to the other in 1680.
2. Archambault
Originally a Germanic name, Archambault now refers to a person with a reputation for bravado. North America’s largest French-language online retailer, Archambault.ca, is located in Montreal. However, they also sell a wide variety of French-language literature and other media, including books, toys, and games.
3. Arnaud
Arnaud is a Germanic name that means “eagle power.” Arnaud’s is the city’s most prominent dining establishment. This is the fourth generation of the Arnaud family to run it, and the menu consists of Creole cuisine.
4. André
The French word for Andrew’s masculine form is André. Andre is the French, German, Dutch, and Portuguese translation of Andrew’s given name. “André” is Danish for a second.
5. Augustin
It’s no coincidence that the name Augustin derives from the Latin word for “increase,” Augustus. D.J. Augustin, a former NBA player, was born in New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina, his family relocated to Texas, where Darryl Gerard Augustin Jr. was born. The Milwaukee Bucks currently have Augustin on their roster.
6. Arquette
Arquette can refer to a slight bow or an arch. Because the arc is French for bow, it is possible that an archer used Arquette. The Latin word arcus, which means “arch,” may have given rise to the name Arquette, given initially to a market trader.
7. Aubert
French for Albert, Aubert translates to “highly esteemed and radiant.” Originally from Thionville, a town in northeastern France, Jean Aubert was a merchant. Aubert was made a member of the noble classes in 1612, and he and his descendants were granted nobility status in Denmark and Norway.
8. Babineaux
Babineaux is a diminutive of Babin, which translates as “gate of the gods” in English. The bodyguard of Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul is Huell Babineaux. Having a narcolepsy-like condition, the character frequently falls asleep at the worst possible times.
9. Babin
The French name for Babylon, Babin, translates as “gate of the gods” in the original Arabic. The Babin Republic was a satirical literary society founded in Babin, Poland, in 1568. They were the 1980s equivalent of Mad or The Onion. According to their Latin motto, every man is a liar, Omnis Homo Mendax.
10. Barbier
Barbier is a French word for the barber. In honor of French astronomer Daniel Barbier, the Barbier crater has been named after him. An unknown object smashed into the moon’s surface at a high rate of speed, causing a large impact crater.
11. Baudin
The given name Baud derives its meaning from the Old French words for brave and bold. Thibauld, the French version of Theobald, and Baudouin, the French version of Baldwin, were given the nickname “Baud” because of their baud-sounding names.
12. Beauchêne
Beautiful oak is called beauchêne in French. Beauchêne was the 44,423rd most common surname in the United States in the 2010 census. In total, 162,253 different surnames were in use.
13. Barre
Those who lived near a barrier were referred to as Barre in French. Gaston Barré founded the French car manufacturer Barré in 1899. His first automobile was unveiled at the Paris Auto Salon the following year, and he continued to produce them until 1930.
14. Beaulieu
It’s a typical French town name, Beaulieu, which means “beautiful place.” Beaulieu House, or Beaulieu as more commonly known, is a historic Newport, Rhode Island mansion. The Astors and Vanderbilts commissioned architect Calvert Vaux to design their home, which he also designed the Central Park bridges for.
15. Beaumont
Beaumont, which translates to “beautiful mountain” in French, is the location’s name. Beaumont Tower was erected to commemorate the site of College Hall, the first building on the Michigan State University campus, which collapsed in 1918. As a popular gathering spot, the tower is frequently featured in photographs.
16. Beaufort
A fortress called Beaufort is referred to as a beautiful one. Francis Beaufort, an Irish hydrographer, introduced the Beaufort wind force scale in 1805. Observations rather than instruments are used to rate the wind.
17. Bellerose
Bella Rose is a beautiful rose in French. Bellerose is a Belgian-based international fashion label. In keeping with their commitment to sustainability and social equity, they are known for providing free repairs to their clothing for life.
18. Bélanger
Bear and spear are two Germanic word elements that make up the name Bélanger. Denis Bélanger is a Quebec-based Canadian singer-songwriter who has won numerous awards. Bélanger, better known by his stage name Snake, is a member of Voivod and has written and performed with them and other artists such as Dave Grohl.
19. Blanc
White is referred to as blanc in French. It was initially known as le Blanc or the white. This is because the name was initially a term of endearment for someone who was extremely pale or whose hair was white.
20. Blaise
The Latin name blaesus, which means lisping or stammering, gave rise to Blaise. The first recorded use of the Blaise surname dates back to 1459, when the Magistrate of Toulouse, Robert de Blay (an earlier spelling), was recorded. Currently, Blaise is the 925th most popular baby name in the United States for boys.
21. Bonheur
Bonheur is a French name that translates to good fortune or luck. On June 15, 1952, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, was founded. The Le Bonheur Club women’s sewing circle was founded as an orphanage.
22. Bonfils
‘Bonfils’ is French for ‘well-behaved.’ Family-owned and operated Bonfils Wine and Chateau is located in southern France. Ten of their estates and chateaux are available for guests to stay at while they explore the region’s wineries.
23. Blanchet
Name Blanchet means “white” in French. A suffix like y or ie, such as Sammy, can be added to the end of a name in English, resulting in many new words. As het or ette are common in French, Blanchet was born.
24. Bureau
The word bureau is derived from the French bure, a type of cloth. It was common for desks to be covered in bure, a coarse woolen cloth, and these desks were referred to as “bureaus.” Finally, the government departments that occupied these bureaus became known as bureaus.
25. Brisbois
Cutting and foresting are both French words that translate to “Brisbois.” He was a French-Canadian trader who established a settlement in what would become Wisconsin. After the war of 1812, he encouraged locals to use bread from his bakery as a form of currency in response to the unstable government currency.
26. Charbonneau
Charbonneau is derived from the French word charbon, which translates to charcoal in English. French trapper Toussaint Charbonneau’s daughter Sacagawea, bore Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the name he inherited from his mother.
27. Charpentier
An old French word for carpenter is “Charpentier.” Carpenter is the obvious choice for the English-speaking world, but Zimmerman, the German-speaking world’s alternative, may come as a surprise.
28. Chaput
Chaput translates as “cloak” or “hood” from the Old French chape. Michael Chaput is an ice hockey player on the Arizona Coyotes roster. When the Philadelphia Flyers first drafted him in 2010, he went on to play for Vancouver, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Montreal.
29. Chevrolet
Chevrolet is derived from the French word chèvre, which translates to goat in English. As a racing driver and automotive engineer from Switzerland, Louis Chevrolet co-founded the Chevrolet Motor Company in Detroit in 1913. Car dealer franchises were conceived by William C. Durant, his business partner.
30. Chastain
The chestnut tree is the Latin origin of the name “Chastain.” Bryce Dallas Howard has been mistaken for Jessica Chastain on occasion. Even Ron Howard, Howard’s father, has made the blunder. Bryce Dallas Howard released “I’m Not Jessica Chastain,” a spoof music video.
31. Clément
Gentle and merciful are the Latin words for Clément, which is derived from Clemens. For many centuries, Clement was known by his first name. When it comes to A Visit from St. Nicholas, better known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” Clement Clarke Moore is the man behind the story.
32. Cloutier
Cloutier derives its name from the French word for nail, clou. During a time when pins were created by hand, a Cloutier was the person who fashioned them. This was accomplished by heating and flattening an iron rod to pointy on one end.
33.Courtemanche
In French, “Courtemanche” means “short sleeve.” An estimated 1.5 million asteroids reside in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, many of which have been discovered, mapped, and given names. One of these is the asteroid (63129) Courtemanche.
34. Colbert
Bright and helmet are the Germanic roots of the name Colbert. It’s hard to miss Stephen Colbert’s right ear. In childhood, he had a tumor removed from his right ear that left him deaf in that ear and without an eardrum.
35.Comtois
In Franche-Comté, the people were referred to as Comtois. Since the Stone Age, people have lived in the Franche-Comté region. France’s Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region is known as Franche-Comté, which means “free country” in French.
36. D’aramitz
People from Aramits, France, were given the surname D’aramitz. d’Aramitz was a Musketeer, France’s royal military guard, and a member of the Musketeers’ Guild. D’aramitz, a member of the so-called Black Musketeers, inspired Alexander Dumas’ character Aramis in his novel, The Three Musketeers.
37. Cousineau
“Cousineau” means “cousin” in the French language. Family and friends used the term “Cousineau” as a nickname in the same way we use “brother” today. After some time, the given name Cousineau was adopted as a surname during the Middle Ages.
38. Couture
A tailor’s shop was called couture in the Middle Ages. The term haute couture is protected by law in France, and the Fédération française de la couture (FFC) is responsible for overseeing the industry. Every year, the fashion houses are evaluated to see if they deserve to be classified.
39. De La Fontaine
The French phrase “de la Fontaine” means “from the fountain.” The French writer Jean de La Fontaine is regarded as one of the greatest. He reworked traditional folk tales from all over the world in lighthearted ways. It is possible to read De La Fontaine’s fables online and in print today.
40. DeGarmo
French de Garmeaux is an Americanized version of the name. There is some debate about the origin of the character de Garmeaux, but it is most likely derived from the Normandy town of Garmeaux. Since the French words for “station” and “water” can be found here, it’s conceivable that this was once a water source.
41. Deschamps
The French word for “from the fields” is “Deschamps.” Naturalist Louis Auguste Deschamps was the inspiration for the genus name Deschampsia. Guinness World Records claims that the Antarctic Seagrass, scientific name: Deschampsia Antarctica, is the world’s southernmost flowering plant.
42. Dior
According to legend, Dior was coined from the French word for “golden.” Fashion designer Christian Dior was a household name around the world. Kanye West released a Christian Dior Denim Flow album in 2010, and he made references to the brand in Stronger, Devil in a New Dress, and Barry Bonds. For a fashion-forward mother, Dior could be a good baby name.
43. Desrosiers
When you say something is “Desrosier,” you’re saying it comes from the rose bushes. In 2019, the Florida Panthers signed professional ice hockey player Philippe Desrosiers, a Canadian. Despite his lack of playing time, his contract is worth $700,000, even though he is the team’s backup goalie.
44. Dubois
Dubois is a French surname that translates to “from the woods.” In France, 95,998 people with the surname Dubois in 2015, making it the country’s third most popular. Currently, 27,737 people in the United States are named Dubois, making it the 1459th most common surname.
45. Durand
An Old French name, Durand, has a connotation of perseverance. Durand, France’s eighth most popular surname, comes in at number 4,070 on the U.S. list of 162,253 surnames.
46. Fabian
Fabian is derived from the Latin word faba, which translates to bean in English. Instead of launching massive assaults, the Fabian Strategy calls for a series of small-scale operations to irritate and harass the target to weaken their resolve.
47. Émile
The Latin root aemulus means “rival” in the English language. For a time, Emil was a French surname before reverting to its Roman origins as a lovely first name for both boys and girls, Emil and Emily.
48. Faucher
Sickle or scythe derives its name from the Latin word falcis. Faucher is often pronounced f-OUCH-er or FOR-cha by native English speakers and others who do not speak French as their first language. Faucher, on the other hand, should be pronounced foo-SHE.
49. Favreau
Old French slang for blacksmith is Favreau. J.J. Favreau was born in New York City’s Flushing, Queens neighborhood. French-Canadian ancestry is a common trait among those with the surname Favreau in the United States.
50. Fournier
A baker by the name of Fournier works in the baking industry. Vitoria, Spain, is home to the Fournier Museum of Playing Cards. As a private collection, it was purchased and declared significant cultural value by the government. Over 20,000 decks of cards are on display at the museum.
51. Fèvre
Fèvre is a smithy name deriving from the Latin Faber. From a single root word, Favreau and Fèvre were born. Fabris is the Latin word for “maker,” and Faber is the Latin word for “maker of hard materials, smith,” which is this form. Favreau was used in southern France, while Fèvre was used in northern France.
52. Gagneux
In the Old French, the word “Gagneux” meant to cultivate. During the Middle Ages, surnames derived from occupation appeared in France. While it is possible to inherit a particular set of skills, it is more common to acquire them through the practice of one’s trade.
53. Gagnon
A Gagnon, as the French called him, was a watchdog. In the beginning, Gagnon was not a family name or a way of identifying a person’s origins or occupation. As an epithet for someone nasty or aggressive, the word “Gagnon” first appeared as an insult.
54. François
Frédéric means “Frenchman” in the French language. Dr. Elvis is a nickname for American orthopedic physician Elvis Francois. Aside from The Masked Singer, he was crowned People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive this year.
55. Garçon
Boys are called garçons in French. Garçon is not a waiter, as many people believe. When English speakers first visited French restaurants, they misinterpreted what they were seeing. The server would be called “garçon!” by the locals, which translates to “boy!” by clicking your fingers.
56. Granger
The word “granary” comes from the Latin “granicarius.” Even though this is an English-language term, Granger is an abbreviation of the French grangier. As a farm bailiff, a grangier was in charge of collecting rents and taxes.
57. Gauthier
Gauthier is a Germanic name that translates to “ruler of the army” in English. There are a lot of Gauthier cousins who aren’t related to each other. The surnames Watts, Waters, Gutiérrez, Watkins, Watson, and Waltz, are all European variations of Walter, as is Gauthier’s French surname.
58. Guillaume
In English, an anglicized version of Guillaume’s name, William, translates to “will-helmet” in English. Robert Williams was the actual name of Robert Guillaume, an American actor. As Benson DuBois in Soap and its spin-off Benson, he earned two Emmys and a Grammy for his performance.
59. Hubert
The name Hubert derives from the French for “bright heart.” The Commandos Marines are the French Navy’s elite special operations forces. The Commandos Marine’s Special Missions Unit, Commando Hubert, comprises a group of combat divers whose mission is top secret.
60. Jacques
James’ French name, Jacques, translates as “one who follows.” A knight returning from the Crusades adopted Jacques’s surname in Medieval France, where it was first recorded.
61. Jean-Baptiste
John the Baptist is the origin of this French surname. Marianne Raigipcien Jean-Baptiste, the British actress, is descended from Antiguan and Saint Lucian parents. Without a Trace cast Jean-Baptiste in the role of Vivian Johnson, and she relocated from London to Los Angeles to play the part.
62. Joubert
In French, Germanic Gautbert, or “bright Goth,” is known as Joubert. As early as 1968, neurologist Dr. Marie Joubert noted symptoms such as an inability to control one’s own voluntary muscular movements, fast breathing, and irregular eye movement patterns. As a result of its rarity, the disease was given the moniker Joubert Syndrome.
63. Janvier
January is referred to as Janvier in French. This has been used as both a surname and the first name in France. It was frequently given to those born or baptized in January.
64. Lachapelle
The French word for the chapel is Lachapelle. David Lachapelle is an American photographer best recognized for his work in both fine art and music videos. Musicians ranging from Florence and the Machine to Jennifer Lopez have worked with him.
65. LaFramboise
The French word for raspberry is LaFramboise. Native Americans kidnapped Joseph Frye from Kittery, Maine, in 1695 and gave him a lot of raspberries while he was in their care. Later in life, he adopted the surname LaFramboise and is the ancestor of all LaFramboise lineages.
66. Lacroix
Named after the cross, Lacroix is a French word. A fashion firm, a sparkling water company, and a manufacturer of high-end Swiss watches are all known by the name Lacroix worldwide.
67. Lapointe
The French word for “point” is Lapointe. Lapointe may have been a nickname given to a soldier by his peers. A lance’s point was at issue here.
68. Lambert
Initially, the name Lambert was taken from Germanic terms that referred to a place of bright sunlight. The French surname LAH-BER is pronounced as LAH-BER, without the strong M sound in the middle of the T sound at the end, which is how it is pronounced in English.
69. Langlais
The French term for an Englishman is Langlais. This moniker was first given to English immigrants in France, subsequently to English speakers. The first French settlers in the United States spelled it, Langley.
70. Laurent
Laurent is a French name that translates to “laurel” in English. One of France’s best-known designers, Yves Saint Laurent, was the first living individual to have a piece in the Met’s collection.
71. Lemieux
The French word Lemieux translates to “best.” Family members from both the United States and France are welcome to join the Lemieux Family Association of America. To avoid confusion with Lémieux, a French town’s residents were given, this name is not to be confused with this one.
72. Léandre
The Greek name Léandre translates as “lion-man.” Leander’s French name is Léandre. Hero and Leander are characters from Greek mythology described as being both priestesses. Leander and Hero fall head over heels for each other, and when he drowns in a storm, Hero leaps into the water to be with him.
73. Lemaire
The mayor of a city is called a Lemaire in French. Lemaire began as an official title for the current mayor and then evolved into a surname. It was employed as a disparaging phrase for someone arrogant and full of themselves.
74. Lévesque
Lévesque translates to the bishop in French for those who don’t know. Emily Levesque, an astronomer, started #arachnoastronomy, a Twitter conversation between arachnologists and astronomers. When Lévesque’s laptop was covered in spiders, the idea was born.
75. Mathieu
A gift from God can be translated as Mathieu, the French form of Matthew. Mathews, Matthewson, and Mathieson and shorter forms like May and Mayes are all forms of this surname in the English language.
76. Meunier
The French word for miller is Meunier. The black grape Pinot Meunier accounts for around one-third of the grapes cultivated in the Champagne region. The plant’s underside leaves have a flour-like down that gave this name.
77. Maçon
Mason is the literal translation of the French surname Maçon. As a five-sided fortification with walls 4 12 feet thick, Fort Macon State Park in North Carolina houses Fort Macon. A North Carolina politician of French ancestry, Nathaniel Macon, inspired the name.
78. Moreau
The Latin word Maurus, which means “dark-skinned, Moorish,” is derived from Moreau. An experimental doctor on a secluded island develops hybrid animals and humans in The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells.
79. Moulin
The French word for the mill is moulin. The can-can dance was popularized in the contemporary era at the Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris. The original structure, constructed in 1889 but destroyed by fire in 1915, was rebuilt and is still in use today.
80. Montagne
The French word for mountain is “montane.” The Montagne Event Center is located on the Beaumont, Texas, campus of Lamar University. The university’s basketball team has played there since it opened in 1984.
81. Parent
Both notable and parent can be deduced from this name. France’s most frequent surname is Parent, which ranks 339th. There were 11,897 persons named Parent in France in 2010, the most recent year for which accurate information is available.
82. Noyer
The French word for walnut is noyer. As its name suggests, the surname Noyer is derived from the Galacian word for “walnut tree,” Nogueira. As a result, everybody who lived near walnut trees was named Noyer.
83. Paquet
Paquet (French for “bundle”) is the word’s translation. “Paquet” comes from the surname “Paqueteer.” As a side note, it illustrates how not every job has a succinct, memorable name that can be easily remembered. Paid packets were given to anyone who collected firewood and sold the bundles of wood they had gathered.
84. Périgord
In France, people from the Périgord region are known as Périgords. Lascaux, a network of caves in the Périgord area, is home to more than 600 paintings on the walls and ceilings.
85. Perreault
Perreault is a French name that translates to “stone” in English. Mathieu Perreault is an ice hockey player who has competed in the NHL. He has been a member of the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League.
86. Patenaude
Patenaude can’t translate a single French word or two into English. Patenaude is a native of Quebec, Canada’s French-speaking province. In both English and Italian, it is known as Paternoster. People who created the rosaries used in Catholic prayer were referred to as Paternoster, “Lord’s Prayer.”
87. Porcher
Porcher translates as “swineherd” in Old French. The city of Cocoa, Florida, bought Porcher House in the 1950s and converted it into the town hall. It was built in 1916. As part of the National Register of Historic Places, Porcher House was added in 1984.
88. Roche
The French word for rock is Roche. The Roche de Bout bridge is located in Waterville, Ohio, on the Maumee River. The limestone outcrop known as Roche du Bout supports the bridge, which was built as an interurban trolley bridge.
89. Rousseau
Latin for “red” is russus, and that’s how Rousseau got its name. The philosopher, writer, and musician Jean-Jacques Rousseau were known for his work in the arts. Modern political theory is rooted in his Discourse on Inequality and The Social Contract and Emile, which he wrote in an attempt to create the ideal education.
90. Richelieu
One of the wealthiest places in France, Richelieu, is a French surname. One of the first examples of a planned community is Richelieu, France. The area was purchased by Cardinal Richelieu, who erected a wall and laid out a grid of houses within it. Then, people began constructing their own homes.
91. Sauveterre
French terms for safe and land, Sauveterre, are the term’s origin. Located in southwest France, Sauveterre-de-Béarn is a small town. After being built in the 11th century, the settlement was developed during the 13th and 14th centuries, becoming an excellent example of medieval architecture.
92. Severin
The Latin name Severus, meaning “stern,” gave rise to the name Severin. Marie Severin was an American comic book artist who worked for EC, DC, and Marvel Comics, among other publishers. Posthumously, the Inkwell Awards presented her with the Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award in honor of her achievements as a Comic-Con International Icon.
93. Sauvageon
In the Old French language, sauvignon means “wild,” “untamed,” and “savage.” When Jean-Pierre Chevènement first created this word in 1999, he referred to a group of young, working-class males in Northern France.
94. Theroux
Theroux’s exact meaning is obscure, although it may mean “by the well.” Louis Theroux is a British-born American filmmaker known for documenting the lives of Americans who adhere to particular ideologies or subcultures. Amazon Prime has many of its shows.
95. Tremblay
Tremblay translates as “aspen” in French. Most people in Quebec and Canada have the Tremblay surname. From Pierre Tremblay and Ozanne Achon, a couple who married in 1657 and had 11 children, come all 110,000 Tremblay’s today.
96. St. Pierre
St. Pierre is the French equivalent of the English surname, Saint Peter. George St. Pierre is widely regarded as one of the sport’s finest fighters. The Boneyard is the name of the show he hosts about dinosaurs, and it’s a big hit with viewers.
97. Trudeau
The Old Norse name Torvald, meaning “ruler of Thor,” is translated as “Trudeau” in French. Miss Montana 2007 was Stephanie Trudeau of Saint Ignatius. She then competed in the Miss USA competition on behalf of her state. Trudeau was crowned Miss Congeniality despite finishing in last place in the pageant.
98. Vincent
As the Latin word for “victory,” Vincent is derived from the Latin word Vincentius. Vincent is both a surname and a given name in France and Italy. Frank Vincent was an American actor who appeared in The Sopranos, Goodfellas, Raging Bull, and Casino, among other films.
99. Voclain
The current form of Vauquelin, which denotes foreign, is Voclain. In the film Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, Voclain & Co. is a fictional jewelry store. It is Voclain and Co. that a Niffler breaks into while attempting to take jewelry from Newt Salamander’s bag.
100. Vidal
Vidal is derived from the Latin word Vitalis, which means vital. Ava Vidal, a British comedian, began her career as a correctional officer rather than in the show industry. She quit her job to get a law degree, but she began writing humor while in law school.