Discover 30,000+ first names with popularity trends drawn from 122 years of official INSEE birth records across every department of France.
Most popular names from 122 years of INSEE birth records
See how name popularity varies across all 100 departments of France. Our interactive map reveals the regional naming patterns that make French culture so rich and diverse.
Open the Name MapTotal registered births per year (1900-2021)
Search, filter, and explore the complete collection of 30,000+ names from over a century of French birth records.
Start BrowsingFrance has one of the most fascinating naming histories in the Western world. For nearly two centuries, French parents were legally required to choose their children's names from an officially approved list. This law, rooted in the Napoleonic Civil Code of 1803, restricted first names to those of saints on the Catholic calendar and well-known historical figures.
Under this system, civil registrars had the authority to reject any name deemed unsuitable. The list was gradually expanded over the decades to accommodate regional names, shorter forms, and foreign names as French society evolved. Despite loosening enforcement through the 20th century, the law remained technically in place until it was formally repealed on January 8, 1993.
Since 1993, French parents have been free to choose virtually any first name for their child. The only restriction that remains is a safeguard: a civil registrar can refer a name to a family court judge if it is deemed contrary to the child's best interest. This reform sparked an explosion of naming creativity, and the number of distinct names in use has grown dramatically in the decades since.
Classic names like Jean, Pierre, Marie, and Anne dominated for much of the 20th century. The postwar period saw a shift toward names like Philippe, Christophe, Nathalie, and Isabelle. From the 1990s onward, softer and shorter names gained favour — Lucas, Hugo, Emma, and Jade rose to the top of the charts. In recent years, names like Gabriel, Léo, Raphaël, Jade, Louise, and Ambre reflect a taste for gentle, melodic sounds with timeless appeal.
Name popularity in France can vary significantly from one department to another. Breton names like Maël and Nolwenn are far more common in Brittany, while Basque names appear more frequently in the southwest. Corsica maintains its own distinct naming traditions, and overseas departments bring influences from Creole, African, and Asian cultures. Our department-level data lets you explore these regional patterns in detail.