French is one of the most widely spoken languages by Jews around the world, both historically and in the present day. Besides France itself, Jews would often speak French when living in countries colonized by France, such as Algeria, Syria, Morocco and Tunisia, continuing to speak the language even after it was no longer French territory.
Many Jews in places like modern-day Quebec, Canada, or parts of Belgium or French-speaking regions of Switzerland, continue to speak French, and it’s estimated that of the current Israeli population, 2% are native French speakers and around 20% of adults can speak at least some of the language.
It stands to reason, then, that many Jewish families might be searching for a beautiful French baby name for their child, especially one that either has Jewish significance or historical usage by French-speaking Jews. Whether you’re honoring an ancestor, live in a city such as Montreal or Luxembourg City or simply find the names beautiful, here’s some French-Jewish namespiration for your little one.
Boys’ Names:
Anselme: “God’s helmet” in French, a Yiddish variant also used is Anshel.
Edmond: “wealthy protector” in French, commonly used by French-speaking Jews. Could honor Egyptian Jewish poet Edmond Jabes and Belgian Jewish resistance hero Edmond Chait.
Elie: “the lord is my God” in Hebrew and French.
Gabriel: “God is my strength” in Hebrew and French.
Guy: “wood” in French, “ravine/valley” in Hebrew.
Joël: “The holy name is God” in Hebrew and French.
Lucien: “light” in French, borne by noted Algerian Jewish artist Lucien
Levy-Dhurmer and Tunisian Jewish scholar Lucien Sebag.
Naël: “gift from God” in French, “from God” in Hebrew.
Noé: “rest,” the French form of the Hebrew name Noach.
Maurice: French for “Moor,” commonly used by French-speaking Jews often as a secular version of Moshe.
Michel: “who is like God” in French, derived from the Hebrew name Michael.
Raoul: “wolf counsel” in French, popular in the French-Jewish diaspora; noteworthy Jews named Raoul include Raoul Poliakin, Raoul Hoffman and Raoul Gunsberg
Raphaël: “God has healed” in Hebrew and French
Salomon: has both the roots of the word “peace” (shalom in Hebrew) and “whole” (shalem in Hebrew).
Girls’ Names:
Adele: “noble” in French, traditionally used in the French Jewish community.
Anaëlle: “gracious” in French, “God has answered” in Hebrew.
Elea: “shining light” in French, derivative of Elias, “God is my lord,” in Hebrew.
Éliane: Derived from Eliana, “God has answered” in Hebrew and “sun” in French.
Emmanuelle: “God is with us” in Hebrew and French.
Judith: “praised” or “woman of Judea” in Hebrew; some notable French Jews with this name are actresses Judith Godrèche and Judith Chemla.
Léa: “weary” in Hebrew and French.
Maïa: derived from mayim, “water,” in Hebrew and “good mother” in French
Myriam: the French variant spelling of “bitter sea” or “rising water” in Hebrew.
Noémie: French variant of the Hebrew name Naomi meaning “pleasant.”
Perle: “pearl” in French and Yiddish.
Reinette: “little queen,” in French. Reinette L’Orainaise was an internationally famed Algerian Jewish musician.
Romy: “dew of the sea” in French, “my exalted” in Hebrew.
Simone: “he has heard” in Hebrew and French. Famous French-speaking Jews with the name include Simone Veil and Simone Bitton.
Yaël: French variant spelling of the name meaning “mountain goat” in Hebrew.
Gender neutral names:
Eden: “garden of Eden” in Hebrew and French
Sacha: “defender” in French. Diminutive of Alexander and popular Jewish name in honor of Alexander the Great.
