French naming trends show rise in medieval and unique names

Recent data from INSEE indicates shifting trends in baby naming conventions. While traditional top names like Gabriel, Louise, and Noah remain dominant in the rankings, there is a notable rise in specific names showing significant growth.

Among female names, Esmée has seen a substantial increase, climbing 14 places to reach the 27th position in the top 30. The name, which means ‘the one who is loved’, recorded over 1,500 births last year.

In response to the saturation of short, vowel-heavy names such as Léo, Maël, and Noé, there is an emerging trend toward medieval names. Parents seeking more distinct identities for their children are increasingly looking toward historical names with stronger consonant sounds and ancient roots to avoid the commonality found in modern short names.