[Latest] French Dog Names: A Guide to Cool and Stylish Names

What impression or image do you have of France or the French language?

Many people associate France with beautiful places, stylishness, fashion, and good taste.

For this reason, many people use French words to name their dogs.

French names are popular not only for pet dogs, but also for business names, logos, and other things, as they add a stylish touch.

If you're thinking of bringing a pet dog into your home and want to give it a stylish and cool name, we'll introduce some tips on naming your dog in French.

Popular French Dog Names

What kind of names do French people actually give their pets?

In fact, in France, to encourage originality and imagination in names, they have an interesting tactic of changing the first letter of pet and human names every year.

For example, in 2018, names starting with the letter "O" were recommended.
In 2019, names starting with the letter "P" were recommended.
In 2020, names starting with the letter "R" were recommended.

In this way, the first letter of each year is determined.

Of course, these are "recommended" names, not "stressed" ones, so there's no problem with choosing any name you like.

Now, let's take a look at the ranking of the most popular dog names given in France in 2019.

Ranking of Popular Dog Names in France

1st Place	Perle	"Perle" means "pearl." It took the top spot in the dog name rankings in 2019. It's apparently a very popular name for female dogs, starting with the letter "P."
2nd Place	PixelPixel	"Pixel" is the well-known smallest unit of a digital image. It's a very unusual name for a dog, and it feels very 21st-century. It sounds quite nice, doesn't it?
3rd Place	PookiePookie	"Pookie" doesn't have any meaning in French, especially. The title of the single released by popular French singer Aya Nakamura in 2019, "Pookie," begins with the letter "P," and this likely had a strong influence.
4th	PiratPirate	"Pirat" means pirate. It does start with a "P," but perhaps it's an unusual name for a dog. .
5th	PrunePrune	"Prune" means plum in French. It's a name that's very similar to the Japanese name. It's a very cute and recommended name. Apparently, there are also some French women named Prune.
6th	Praline	Praline is a French confectionery made by mixing roasted nuts with heated sugar and caramelizing them. The Japanese and French names are the same. It's a cute name, so it's highly recommended as a name for a female dog.
7th	Pink	"Pink" is not French, but English. It is a word that refers to the color peach.
8th	Prada	Prada is an Italian luxury fashion brand. It's quite a gorgeous name for a dog.
9th	NalaNala	"Nala" is the name of a female lion that appears in "The Lion King." Even though it doesn't start with the letter "P," it's ranked 9th, which shows that it's definitely a very popular name in France.
10th	Pumba	"Pumba" is also the name of a wild boar that appears in "The Lion King." It seems to be popular in France to name dogs after characters from "The Lion King."

Source: Cute French Names for Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets【30 Best Names】

What do you think?

Although they weren't included in the rankings, personally, I like the French names: "Cherie" means "beloved," "Jule" means "son of God," and "Lou" means "wolf."

The Dog Life in France, a Dog-Loving Nation

For Europeans, dogs are not only part of the family, but also a vital part of society.

In France, especially, dogs are so accepted that it's no exaggeration to say they're always with their owners.

When riding the metro or bus, you'll often encounter dogs on leashes with their owners.

You might be surprised to find a dog in the passenger seat when you hail a taxi and get in!
When asked why, the answer is often, "Oh? It's my dog. I'm with him every day at work." It's truly a testament to the country's character that businesses can continue to operate under these circumstances.

In France, apartment complexes have a rule that prohibits the keeping of dogs and cats.
Even large dogs are accepted without any problems in typical apartment complexes. As a result, you'll see many Parisians walking their dogs on the streets.
They also place a great deal of emphasis on training, so many beloved dogs enjoy quiet walks with their owners.
Although some dogs don't have leashes, they generally never wander away from their owners during walks.

Watching French people and their dogs make you realize the importance of properly socializing dogs with their owners from an early age, interacting with a variety of people, dogs, and environments, and thoroughly teaching them the manners and rules of human society, in order for them to be accepted as members of society.

Popular Dog Breeds Native to France

France is home to a wide variety of dog breeds, from elegant breeds and intelligent sheepdogs to adorable lapdogs.

Let's introduce some popular dog breeds that originated in France.

Papillon

Named after the French word for "butterfly," this breed is said to be the most intelligent of all small dogs.

Affectionate, friendly, and low-excitability, this breed makes a great family pet.

Great Pyrenees

They served as sheepdogs and guard dogs to protect livestock.

Because of their role, they often retain a cautious nature, so owners need to take the lead and build a strong relationship of trust.

Toy Poodle

The Toy Poodle is the most popular dog breed in Japan in terms of number of registered dogs.

Not only are they cute, but they are also easy to care for, with little shedding and body odor. Their cheerful, gentle, and friendly personalities, along with their intelligence and ease of training, make them a breed well-suited to modern urban environments.

French Bulldog

French bulldogs love their families and have affectionate personalities. They have a calm and friendly personality, but can also be stubborn. Communicate with them from an early age and build a relationship of trust. Because they have a short respiratory system and short hair, they are sensitive to heat and cold. Careful attention to regulating their temperature and body temperature is essential.

Recommended French Names

Three easy tips for naming your dog in French: First, divide the image of the name you want into three categories: cute, "cool, and stylish.

For "cute," choose names like flowers, plants, and nature. Other options include nouns representing food and words expressing affection. This will create a cute name.

For "cool," choose names like car and motorcycle names. Cool names are easy to find among words with positive connotations.

For "fashionable," choosing names from foreign cities or places, or nouns related to fashion, will create a stylish name.

So, we've picked out some French dog names that fit each of these three concepts, and we'd like to introduce them to you.

Cute Name

• Shushu (Cute/Favorite)

The name "shushu" comes from the French word "chou" (cabbage). It's said to evoke the image of the layered structure of cabbage leaves and the image of treating a beloved person or thing with care. It's a word used to express the sentiment "cute~favorite." It's a cute-sounding name that can be given to both boys and girls.

• Mimi (Super Cute)

This is a word used to describe someone who is simply adorable. It's used to describe things that are considered adorable, such as a lover, a baby, a child, or a cute puppy, so it's perfect for naming dogs. If you're using it for a dog, it's best for girls.
Since it's a two-character name, it's also easy to pronounce.

• Petit or Petiteux (Small Cuteness)

"Kawaii" is commonly used to describe small things, small children, babies, and puppies. It is also used to express affectionate cuteness.
"Petit" is a good name for a male dog, and "Petiteux" is a good name for a female dog. It's also a great name for a toy poodle or Chihuahua.

• Mignon or Mignonne (adorable/cute)

This is a word used to simply compliment someone or something, saying they're "cute." When used with a man, it can also mean something like "handsome."
For boys, it's "Mignon," and for girls, it's "Mignonne."
Not only does it have a lovely meaning, but it's also a cute, sweet-sounding name, like the dogs of foreign celebrities.

• Sheri or Sherry (Darling/Cute One)

It generally means "darling." It's the same as "darling" or "cute one" in English.
"Sheri" for a boy and "Sherry" for a girl would make a very cute dog name.

Cool Names

• Simca, Panhard, Bugatti, Peugeot, Matra, Renault

These are cool French car names that are easy to pronounce and perfect for dogs.
French cars, known for their sophisticated aesthetic, are popular in Japan, too, with names like "Peugeot" and "Renault" popular among European cars. Why not give your dog a cool French car name?

• Lian (Bond)

You might want to name your dog "Lian," with the intention of building a strong bond with him, the dog that was chosen from among many other dogs to join your home. It has a wonderful meaning, sounds cool, and would make a great name for a boy.

• Bonheur (Happiness)

For animal lovers, like myself, pets provide an extra layer of happiness in life, such as healing and everyday enjoyment. It might be a good idea to name your beloved dog "Bonheur" because it brings happiness to your family and yourself.

• Astor (heavenly body), Soleil (sun), Ale (wings/feathers)

These names are easy to pronounce and have lovely meanings, making them perfect for a boy's dog.

Stylish Names

• Lyon, Lille, Reims, Tours, Arles, Lesays, Stains, Echirolles

These are names of cities in France. How about using them as boy's names?
They sound stylish and would be easy to pronounce for a dog.

• Rennes, Angers, Limoges, Troyes, Clichy, Lorient, Suresnes, Poissy, Roanne, Chatou

These are also city names. How about a girl?
It's unlikely to be shared with other dogs, so it's an unusual name with a unique concept.

• Chapeau (hat), Fleur (scarf), Poche (pocket), Coffret (small box for jewelry, etc.), Parfum (perfume), Savon (soap)

We've picked out some fashion-related words that might make stylish names for your beloved dog.

Summary (Fashionable French Words for Names)

What did you think?

Perhaps because French is perceived as stylish by Japanese people, it is very popular for dog names.

I imagine that owners name their dogs based on their unique characteristics, but if you consider dog names from various angles based on their image, there seems to be even more room for variation.

Also, it's important that the name is easy to pronounce and easy to hear.

I'm sure you'll find a great name, so please give your dog a lovely French name.