170 names

170 French dog names (with English meanings)

French names have a way of making even a muddy, ball-obsessed dog sound a little distinguished. Names like Margot, Beau and Bijou are short and sweet, while longer ones such as Étienne and Geneviève come with an easy nickname built in.

This list brings together classic French first names, affectionate words, French foods and drinks, famous painters and writers, and places you might dream of visiting. Each entry has a short note on its meaning or origin, from Pierre (rock) to Papillon (butterfly, and also the name of the toy spaniel breed).

They are a natural for French breeds like the French Bulldog and the Papillon, but any dog with a bit of flair can wear one. If you want something with a similar romantic sound, compare with Italian dog names.

Classic French boy names

Pierre♂French form of Peter, meaning rock
Jacques♂French form of James
Louis♂Renowned warrior
Henri♂Ruler of the home
Étienne♂Crown
Marcel♂Little Marcus
Antoine♂French form of Anthony
Napoleon♂The French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte
Pascal♂Born at Easter
René♂Reborn
Beau♂Handsome
Alphonse♂Noble and ready
Armand♂Soldier
Baptiste♂One who baptizes
Bernard♂Brave as a bear
François♂French form of Francis
Gérard♂Brave with a spear
Guillaume♂French form of William
Julien♂Youthful
Laurent♂Crowned with laurel
Lucien♂Light
Maurice♂Dark-skinned
Olivier♂Olive tree
Philippe♂Lover of horses
Raoul♂Wolf counsel
Sylvain♂Of the forest
Thierry♂Ruler of the people
Toussaint♂All saints
Valentin♂Strong and healthy
Victor♂Conqueror
Yves♂Yew
Jean♂French form of John

Classic French girl names

Chloé♀Blooming or green shoot
Colette♀Victory of the people
Amélie♀Hard-working
Fifi♀Pet form of Joséphine
Gigi♀Playful pet name
Mimi♀Pet form of Marie
Margot♀Pearl
Odette♀Wealth
Brigitte♀Exalted one
Camille♀Attendant
Delphine♀Dolphin
Fleur♀Flower
Geneviève♀Patron saint of Paris
Giselle♀Pledge
Hélène♀French form of Helen
Jolie♀Pretty
Juliette♀Youthful
Lucie♀Light
Manon♀Pet form of Marie
Mathilde♀Mighty in battle
Noelle♀Christmas
Océane♀Ocean
Pauline♀Small
Sabine♀Woman of the ancient Sabine people
Sylvie♀Forest
Yvette♀Yew
Joséphine♀Napoleon's empress; God will add

Sweet words and chic attitude

Bijou♀Jewel
Chérie♀Darling
MignonCute and dainty
Petit♂Small
Petite♀Small girl
Ami♂Friend
Amie♀Female friend
BonbonCandy
BonjourHello
MerciThank you
OuiYes
SantéTo your health, a toast
JoieJoy
BonheurHappiness
CoeurHeart
VoilàThere it is
PanacheFlamboyant style
ChicStylish
ÉlanEnergy and style
AtelierArtist's studio
BistroSmall casual restaurant
BeretSoft round cap
BalletClassical dance

Animals, sky and weather

ChienDog
PapillonButterfly; also a French toy spaniel breed
Loup♂Wolf
Ours♂Bear
Renard♂Fox
Faucon♂Falcon
Aigle♂Eagle
Lapin♂Rabbit
Étoile♀Star
Lune♀Moon
SoleilSun
Pluie♀Rain
Neige♀Snow
NuageCloud
Brume♀Mist
CielSky
Mer♀Sea
Vent♂Wind

French foods and drinks

BrieSoft creamy cheese
CamembertSoft cheese from Normandy
BaguetteLong crusty bread
CroissantFlaky crescent pastry
CrepeThin pancake
MacaronDelicate almond cookie
ÉclairCream-filled pastry
BriocheRich, buttery bread
Madeleine♀Small shell-shaped sponge cake
Praline♀Sweet nut candy
GanacheChocolate cream
SouffléLight baked egg dish
QuicheSavory tart
BisqueCreamy soup
FondueMelted cheese dish
RacletteMelted cheese served over potatoes
CassouletSlow-cooked bean stew
RoquefortBlue cheese
GruyèreNutty Swiss-style cheese
ChèvreGoat cheese
Tarte♀Tart
ProfiteroleCream puff
ClafoutisBaked fruit dessert
NougatChewy nut candy
SorbetFruit ice
MerlotSmooth red wine
ChampagneSparkling wine
CognacBrandy from the town of the same name
BeaujolaisFruity red wine

Artists, writers and thinkers

Monet♂Painter Claude Monet
Renoir♂Painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Matisse♂Painter Henri Matisse
Degas♂Painter and sculptor Edgar Degas
Cézanne♂Painter Paul Cézanne
Manet♂Painter Édouard Manet
Rodin♂Sculptor of The Thinker
Gauguin♂Painter Paul Gauguin
Seurat♂Painter who pioneered pointillism
Voltaire♂Writer and Enlightenment thinker
Molière♂Playwright
Zola♂Novelist Émile Zola
Dumas♂Author of The Three Musketeers
Verne♂Author Jules Verne
Rousseau♂Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Descartes♂Philosopher René Descartes
Debussy♂Composer Claude Debussy
Ravel♂Composer of Boléro
Satie♂Composer Erik Satie
Bizet♂Composer of Carmen

Places in France

Paris♀France's capital
Nice♀Mediterranean city on the Riviera
Lyon♂City known for its food
Versailles♂Palace outside Paris
Provence♀Lavender-covered region in the south
Cannes♀Riviera city of the famous film festival
Chamonix♂Alpine resort below Mont Blanc
Normandie♀Normandy region
Alsace♀Region on the German border
Marseille♀Mediterranean port
Toulouse♂City known as the pink city
Avignon♂City of the Papal Palace
Chantilly♀Town known for its château and lace
Montmartre♂Hilltop Paris neighborhood of artists
Seine♀River through Paris
Loire♀France's longest river
Riviera♀The French Mediterranean coast
Corsica♀Mediterranean island
Biarritz♂Atlantic surf town
Arles♂Town in Provence that Van Gogh painted
Giverny♂Village with Monet's gardens

Tips for choosing

French is full of silent letters and nasal vowels, so decide on a simple English-friendly pronunciation before you introduce the name. Beau is BOH, Chloé is kloh-AY, Margot is mar-GOH and Bijou is BEE-zhoo.

Short names with a clear first syllable are easiest to call. If your favorite is long, choose a nickname now. Étienne becomes Eti, Joséphine becomes Josie, and Baguette becomes Bag or Baggy.

For a pair, try classic French duos like Pierre and Marie, or Monet and Renoir for two painterly pups. Our dog names for pairs page has more ideas.

Frequently asked questions

What are good French names for a male dog?

Pierre, Jacques, Henri, Marcel, Beau, Napoleon and Olivier are popular. For a playful feel, try Croissant, Brie or Baguette.

What are good French names for a female dog?

Margot, Fifi, Colette, Amélie, Chloé, Josephine and Bijou are favorites. For a soft, short name, try Mimi, Lune or Fleur.

What is the French word for dog?

Chien is the French word for dog and chiot means puppy. Both are cute as names and easy for a French speaker to recognize.

How do you pronounce French dog names?

Use the version that feels natural to you and keep it consistent. For example, Croissant is kwah-SAHN, Beau is BOH, and Papillon is pah-pee-YOHN. Most dogs respond to the sound and tone of your voice rather than the exact accent.