Boy names in French

[vitapulchra]

I'm pg with DC4 and dr suspects it to be a boy (though not confirmed yet). I already have DS1 (James), DD1 (Christina) and DS2 (Henry). We are planning on moving to the French-speaking part of Switzerland permanently sometime within the next 5 years and want to pick a boy's name that will translate well. It could be French, or just an English name that sounds good in French. IE, we don't want William because we don't like Guillaume as much, or Nicholas which is pronounced Nichola. And Edmund I love but unfortunately has negative connotations in the family. Any suggestions?

[bluebump]

I think Hugo is a French boys name although opinion is always divided on it. I love it but everyone else didn't!

[FluffyDonkey]

Benjamin
Thomas
Adam
David
Arthur
Julien
Christophe
Xavier

[FluffyDonkey]

Marc

[stressheaderic]

Benoit
Frederic
Marcel
Luc

[stressheaderic]

Oh, and of course Louis (a FAB name)

[Elsa123]

I love the French pronunciation of Vincent- Van-cen.

[canella]

theo

[vitapulchra]

I was thinking about Vincent, too. Lovely name. Louis is my nephew and his parents would be most offended if we used Louis or Lucien (his middle name).

What does everyone think of Julien? Is it too close to the girl's names Julia, Julianne?

My DH wants Cedric but I just don't "get it".

[bellissima]

Emil
Jerome

Like Fluffydonkey's suggestions apart from Marc. Am thinking about if the chap ever lives here. I knew an English (no French connections) Marc once and I'm afraid he was teased.

Think Julien would suffer in the same way 'back home'. I think of thinly grated carrots. (thats julienne innit, but ynwim)

I don't get Cedric either!

[crumpette]

Lucas
Luc
Thomas

[Nelvana]

I like Cedric

what's wrong with Nicholas pronounced in French? that's just the way you pronounce it, very nice name.

Or what about:

Leo (Leonard)
Milo
Anthony (pronounced 'an-to-NI' in french, cool)
Martin
Robert

[GladioliBuckets]

I like Luc, it's not too similar to Lucien.
Sebastien
Christian (think Dior)
Dominic
Theo (pron. Tayo in French)
Alexei
Laurence

[mopsyflopsy]

I love Quentin - I know it's quite popuar in France but it does sound lovely in French - Con-tain.

[sophiesmummie]

Recent top 20 boys names in France:

Lucas
Theo
Thomas
Hugo
Enzo
Maxime
Clement
Leo
Antoine
Alexandre
Mathis
Louis
Quentin
Alexis
Romain
Tom
Nicolas
Nathan
Baptiste
Paul

[diddl]

I think Sebastian & Alexander would suit the names you have.

I also like Marcel & Etienne.

[stressheaderic]

I'm a French teacher, and I love so many of these names. I use the Top 20 list to give French names to children in the class.

I ADORE Etienne and Enzo, but we live somewhere rough and northern, with no plans to move to France, so I just haven't got the bottle to do it.
French boys names are just so damn cool.

(Disclaimer - apart from Jean-Claude)

[mumoftoomany]

Some great names on here. My favourites are

Julien
Quentin
Sebastien

[ElephantsAndMiasmas]

Ooh I think Alexis would be nice and go with your names - presumably it would be pronounced sort of "AlexEE" - is that right? Or what about spelling it Alexi or Alexei (think this is the Russian way)? Then if you were to move back to somewhere English speaking you wouldn't be lumbered with that end S.