A study by France’s National Institute of Statistics, Insee, published on Wednesday, September 16, 2025, reveals that the number of different names given to children in France has grown significantly over the past 80 years. In 1946, 8,007 distinct names were used for 869,000 children, whereas in 2025, 65,940 different names were given to 643,900 babies. This means that the number of unique names has increased eightfold, with every variation in spelling considered a different name. In 2025, the five most common names accounted for just 6% of male births and 4% of female births, a sharp contrast to 1946, when they represented 33% and 21%, respectively. For example, the name Louise was given to 3,070 babies in 2025, while Marie was given to 31,090 girls in 1946. Amandine Rodrigues, head of the Demographic Files and Directories Pole at Insee, explains that the diversification of names has several causes. One is the evolution of legislation. In 1946, name choices were limited by a Napoleonic law from 1803, which restricted names to those found in official calendars or well-known historical figures. However, regulations gradually eased starting in the 1960s. Today, while names must still meet certain criteria—such as not being harmful to the child—parents have more freedom. For example, names like "Nutella" have been rejected by courts, but overall, the selection has become more open. Another reason for the increase in name diversity is the decline in intergenerational name transmission. In the past, it was common for children to inherit their father’s or grandfather’s name. While this still occurs, it is less frequent today, especially for girls. Amandine Rodrigues notes that this trend is linked to "gender norms," with more names being given to girls than to boys. In 2025, for every 10,000 births, there were 1,131 distinct names for girls compared to 994 for boys. She explains that the choice of female names is often driven by aesthetic preferences and a desire for individuality, making them more influenced by current fashion trends. The study also highlights the growing multiculturalism in French society, reflected in the increasing diversity of names. Names like Kevin, which became popular in the 1980s and 1990s, and Enzo, more recently, show the influence of external cultural trends. Regional differences are also notable—Malo is the most common male name in Brittany, while Inaya is the most common female name in overseas regions. Additionally, the multiplication of spellings contributes to the rise in unique names. For example, the name Raphaël can be written as Raphael, Rafael, or Raffael, leading to multiple variations. Amandine Rodrigues suggests this reflects parents’ desire to highlight their child’s individuality. The study also notes that while parents are highly influenced by current trends, these trends tend to fade quickly. Names like Louise and Gabriel have been popular for over a decade, but they are not as dominant as the names Jean and Marie, which were fashionable for 60 years. Despite their current lower popularity, these classic names are not disappearing. Insee classifies them as "timeless," along with names like Jeanne, Sophie, and Lucie. These names have been given at least 100 times each year since 1946. Some names, like Rose or Madeleine for girls, and Léon or Marcel for boys, have recently regained popularity due to generational effects, nostalgia, or a renewed interest in traditional heritage.