Choosing a baby name is never just a formality. It is a decision filled with hope, imagination, and sometimes anxiety. Parents picture the name written on school notebooks, spoken at family gatherings, printed on a future business card. For 2026, upcoming trends suggest that French parents are leaning toward names that feel gentle, familiar, and enduring rather than bold or experimental.
Data from L’Officiel des prénoms, based on INSEE forecasts, reveals a strong preference for simplicity. The most popular choices are easy to pronounce, pleasant to hear, and adaptable to every stage of life. Behind these trends lies a desire for stability in an uncertain world, reflected even in the names given to newborns.
Timeless favourites and soft modern choices
For boys, Gabriel continues to dominate. Its appeal has lasted nearly a decade, helped by its balance of warmth, dignity, and universal recognition. It feels neither outdated nor overly trendy, which makes it a safe yet elegant choice. Raphaël and Noah follow closely, appreciated for their smooth sound and international familiarity, a factor that matters more and more to globally minded parents.
For girls, Louise returns to the top with quiet confidence. Classic but never old fashioned, it conveys grace without effort. Jade remains highly popular, offering a modern sparkle without straying into extravagance. Alma keeps rising, attracting parents who want a name that feels poetic and meaningful without being unusual to the point of burden.
Some names that recently enjoyed massive success are now easing slightly in popularity. Ambre and Alba are less dominant than before. Eva and Lina, long seen at the top of rankings, show small declines. Meanwhile, Lou and Inaya are steadily gaining ground, lifted by their musical simplicity and contemporary feel.
Across all these choices, clear patterns emerge. Short names remain favoured. Soft vowel endings continue to appeal. Names that travel easily across cultures feel especially relevant in a world where borders matter less than before.
More than anything, these trends reveal that parents are not searching for originality at any cost. They are choosing names that will grow with their children, names that feel kind, strong, and easy to carry through every chapter of life.
