France is, for many, a country that conjures images of beauty, elegance, and culture. It makes sense, then, that you might want to give your dog a name that evokes the spirit of France. With a full language at your command, you can certainly find a fantastic French name for your pooch.
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Popular French Dog Names
If you’re going to give your dog a French name, it’s good to think about exactly what you’re looking for in that name. That’s why we’re going to divide names into a few useful categories so that you can pick the name that best captures the spirit of your pup.
French Female Dog Names
As you might imagine, many of the female French dog names tend to focus on beauty and love. Fleur, or Flower, is a very popular name – likely because of its connection to Harry Potter – but so too is Bijou (jewel) or Caquelicot (poppy). Papillon is an especially beautiful name for a dog with big, butterfly-like ears, while Ame (beloved) is great for a pet you love. There is, of course, always the more simple name for your best canine pal – Amie, or friend.
Other well-loved female names tend to focus on qualities that the dog herself has. Coquette (flirt) is a great name for a dog who isn’t shy with her kisses, while Felicite might be a good name for a lucky rescue. Fille, of course, is always popular if you’re just looking to insist that your dog is indeed a girl!
Male French Dog Names
Male French dog names tend to have a little more in terms of variety than female names. The names that tend to be more about qualities tend to be descriptive, like Aubin (white) or Noir (black) than beauty-related. Instead, male names really run the gamut of possibilities.
Amoureux, or lover, is a great name for a loving dog, while Andre, or warrior, is better for a guard dog. Baldoin is always a popular name for brave pups, while lucky rescues might get the name Chanceux. Is your dog lazy? If so, he might be a good Flâneur, while a happy dog might be better named Heureux. Leon is a great name for a dog with a shaggy, lion-like mane, while a mischievous dog might be better named Pascal – or even Rififi, which means trouble.
Have a very innocent little pup? Why not try Perceval? Even those looking for something more literal might want to go with Franco, which simply means French. If there’s a word for a quality in French, there’s a good chance it could be applied to a male dog.
Human French Names for Female Dogs
Some of the most popular names for dogs in the United States are based on human names. It should come as no surprise, then, that some of the most popular French names are likewise the same as human names. So, what names are typically very French and great for female dogs?
Adele and Amelie are, of course, quite popular due to their famous namesakes. Antoinette is likewise near the top of the list, as is Marie. Babette and Babou are quite pretty for dogs, as are Bebe, Bella, and Chantal. Chloe, Cosette, and Corinne are quite popular for both humans and dogs, as are Elise, Elodie, and Genevie. Even Edit is popular for certain types of dogs, even if it has gone a bit out of fashion for humans.
Still, look for female names? Why not try Gigi, Josephine, or even Marguerite? Margaux seems fairly fancy, while Penelope and Monique are both quite French. You may also want to try out Renee, Sabine, or Therese for your pet, or even Valeninte or Valerie. The list, as you can imagine, can go on for quite some time.
Human French Names for Male Dogs
As you can imagine, the boys have just as many human names available. Alfred and Alphonse are common, as are Antoine and Bruno. History fans might like Bonaparte, while others might prefer Francois or Beau. Damien is a great name for a little devil, while Gaston tends to delight Disney fans. Frederic and Gilles are popular, as are Gerard and Gustave. Hugo, Jacques, and Julien are relatively easy to say, while Louis, Laurent, and Marius are all lovely names as well. You can even go with Remy, Odie, Tristan, or Maurice to round out your list.
French Dog Names Based On Cuisine
If your favorite part of French culture is the food, you might find that some food names can fit your dog. Cheese fans might like Brie or Fondue, for example, while dessert fans might like Éclair or Ganache. You can even go with Cassoulet or Pistache if you feel like a name that’s a little more ‘out there.
French City and Landmark Names for Dogs
For some, though, it’s France itself that’s the superstar. That’s why Paris is such a popular name, for example, as is Lyon. Versailles and Montpellier are great names for dogs, as are Bordeaux and Avignon. If you’re more of a landmark person, though, you might want to look at names like Eiffel, Triomphe, or even Louvre.
Famous French People Names for Dogs
Finally, there are those names inspired by those with famous French ancestry. Louis is, of course, one of the most popular as it was the name of so many kings. Other aristocratic names include Marquis, Napoleon, and Antoinette. While these names might not be those that most represent the French republic, they’re certainly names with historical value.
Feel like honoring those who’ve done more for the world? Why not name your dog Renee after the philosopher and mathematician Descartes, or perhaps Pascal (or even Blaise)? If the arts are more your speed, you can name your dog Victor or Hugo after the author of Les Misérables, or perhaps either Claude or Monet after the famous artist. You may even wish to embrace the world of fashion with the name Coco – or even Chanel.
Regardless of what your intention is, there’s a great French name out there for your pet. Do a little digging, think about your pooch, and then choose from this list. If you’re willing to put some thought into it, you’ll find a name that fits your canine companion.
For more dog names inspired by heritage, check out the following articles:
