English/French baby names (living in France)

I've met a French Florence and a few Sylvies, and they are all well into their fifties. Charlotte is a very well -regarded name, and I taught one who would be 17 now. She wouldn't have any trouble finding a personalised key ring, mug etc. either. I think you've got the right idea: find something traditional but not a middle aged/granny name, and stay clear of the tacky American-style names that are popping up in France now.

Oh yes Felix was on our (long) list. Works well in both languages I think.

I know French women in their 30s called Margot and Sophie, they are not just 65+ names! I think they are classic enough to be reasonably popular through the generations although certainly not as popular now. I see that they are still in the top 50 albeit with different spelling (Margaux) and a variation (Sofia).

Also French.

Charlotte and Louis are the best choices on the list.

No one under 65 is called Sylvie, Sophie or Margot (and English people would pronounce the T and maybe misspell Sylvie.) Florence reminds me of Florence Foresti...

Théo (if you can bear the pronunciation difference) and Raphaël are nice, bear in mind you might have trouble getting é and ë on official docs. in U.K./English, filling in an online form will give you ? instead of the right character (or not accept.)

Other options: Olivia, Catherine, Louise, Laura, Claire, Caroline, Paul, Hugo, Charles, Thomas, Félix, Daniel...

We are similar: I'm English and DH is French, not planning to move to France but definitely wanted names that would work for French speakers as well as English.

I have two children and I found that posting on Mumsnet was a bit pointless tbh because the vast majority of mumsnetters are English speakers who live in the UK and don't speak French fluently, have never lived in France and don't have lots of French family and friends. So very little exposure to current French naming trends and the cultural associations of names. A lot of people will just reel off the French names they've heard once before and thought sounded nice, even though to French person the name is the equivalent of Gary or Sharon or something (perfectly decent names but not names most people would choose for a baby in 2024). Oh and there's always someone who suggests Beau which is the most ridiculous name for an English child let alone a French one.

Oh dear that just turned into a long rant - sorry

In terms of actual helpful advice (!) I suggest getting a French baby names book and looking at the latest French name lists to see what kind of names are in the top 50 right now.

Personally I ruled out names with "th" because I don't like the difference in pronunciation - although that doesn't bother you for Arthur.

Girls' names are easier I think:
Adele, Alice, Daphne, Emma, Louise, Mia, Sophie
(I wouldn't use Charlotte because of the princess, and I agree that Sylvie is too old-fashioned... the others on your list are ok.)

For boys:
Clément (Clem for short, easy for English speakers), Max (I love Maxime as the full/long name), Noah, Oscar, Sam (Samuel), Simon
(My DH liked Louis too but I didn't... and I'm glad DS doesn't share a name with a royal.)

These are the names of my dcs friends.
Charlotte, Alix, Lou, Élise, Eloise, Camille, Blanche, Fleur, Agathe, Chloé, Sixtine, Amicie, Domitile..
Louis , Louis-Gabriel, Pierre, Léo, Roman, Lucas, Alexandre, Paul, Aloys, Quentin, Melchior, Adam.
Names like Florence, Sylvie, Sophie and even Elodie are middle aged. Haven’t met one in a young child in a long time but maybe poised for a comeback.

It's been a few (many) years since I lived in France so these may be horrendously dated but I always loved:

Zoe
Dacia
Celine
Juliette

Etienne (I LOVE this one)
Quentin

Madeleine - Maddie
Mimi
Marie

Serge
Patrice (Patrick)
Luc
Francis

Anna
Marianne
Beatrice

Leo
Leon
Sebastien
Gabriel

Kids I know with French and English parents:

Charlotte
Collette
Noemie
Remie
Lea
Matilda

Marcel
Benny
Gauthier
Remy

I know a lot of French/English families! Some names they have used that work in both language:

Anna
Stella
Claire
Alice
Agnes
Zoe
Arabella
Sara

Jaques
Thomas
Patrick
Anton
Stephan
Robert
Louis
Milo
Nico

I think that quite a lot of Scottish names might fit - the vowel sounds are very similar. Just for example:
Fenella
Marion
Annabel
Jean/Jeanne/Jehane/Johann = all the same name
Helene/Helena/Eleanor
Agnes (= Ann-iss in trad Scots, Ann-yess in French)

Also international names such as Josephine, Elisabeth, Christine/Christina, Anna and so on. Not trendy but all dignified and rather nice.

Genevieve?

Leonie
Lena
Alba
Romy
Emma
Louise

Adam
Lucas
Izak
Louis
Leon

Eve.

I taught a French girl called Violette. I really liked it although I don't care for the name Violet in the UK. I think the sounds were softer somehow.
No idea how fashionable or otherwise it is in France currently.

Imo you can't go wrong with Charlotte, Sophie, Elise etc. So many nice French names.

I especially like Raphael and Louis from your boys' list.

Have double barrelled names gone out of fashion in France now? Thinking about it, all the ones I know are adults : Marie Claire etc.

As I always say - popular names are usually popular for a good reason.

Emma or Sebastien maybe?

Disclaimer: I am not French! I lived there many years ago, so these could be totally unsuitable for all I know.

Charlotte and Sophie are my favourite girls names

Louis and Théo are my favourite of your boys choices

They go perfectly with Arthur in the UK (sorry can’t help with how they sound in France)

Other classic names that are popular in France and go nicely with Arthur -

Alice, Chloe, Iris, Anna, Rose or Emma

Leo, Noah, Isaac

Absolutely gorgeous name.

OP my son has a female friend called Remy. I love that name too.

Inès

Forgot to mention Charlotte, which is also popular. I would say Charlotte and Arthur are pretty close equivalents in terms of how popular they are and what sort of people like these names. I know a little Charlotte in France whose brother is Louis. (Not Prince George's siblings!)

I like Charlotte and Sophie. Not sure in France but in the UK Florence is the most popular of your options (top 10) and probably soon to be Margot too as it’s super trendy. I also like Sylvie but wouldn’t used if dated in France. So I think Charlotte and Sophie best of your options.

Boys names, I wouldn’t say Louis is very popular, especially compared to Theo
on your list! Unless it’s more popular in France. I love Louis, Remy and Raphael. Not too keen on Valentin.

Because to the French, beau is an adjective, not a name.

https://www.bfmtv.com/societe/toujours-tendance-ou-ringard-decouvrez-combien-de-fois-votre-prenom-a-ete-donne-en-2022AV-202307040593.html

This site suggests that the name Beau was given to fewer than 3 children in France in 2022 (so quite possibly zero). It is every bit as weird as it would be to name your son Handsome in the UK.

Having an older sibling with a top 10 name would make it even weirder, IMO.

Me too. Names like Amelie are old-fashioned in France.

@Spirallingdownwards , it's like calling a child Handsome or something.

May I ask why? Maeva Dascanio who is French and spends time in France has called her son Beau.