Ah, finding out what your name is in French is magical, isn’t it?
It’s the rite of passage for any new learner.
The second you start learning the language, you want to know how to write and say your name in.
Want to know what your name is in French?
- Review the pronunciation rules below in part 1 to figure it out yourself .
- If you’re lazy, just scroll down to part 2 the list of common translated names.
- And learn bonus lines for introducing yourself in French in part 3.
By the way, you should also hear REAL French. So, here’s a free French audio lesson. Press play and learn how to introduce yourself.
//www.linguajunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/ABS_S1L1_070809_fpod101.mp3- Lesson #1 – Easy Self-Introductions in French
- Free Lesson by FrenchPod101.com (click here for more free audio lessons).
Part 1: French Pronunciation Rules
“What’s my name in French? How will it sound like?”
Great question, glad you asked.
When learning to say your name in French, pronunciation is extremely important. So, here are some rules to help:
Rule 1: Many ending consonants are silent.
Generally speaking, consonants at the end of French words are not pronounced. However, you must be careful. C, R, F, and L are usually the exception to this rule (and they are the consonants in the word CaReFuL.) When these consonants (C, R, F and L) are at the end of the word, they are pronounced.
- Example: Éric (AIR-EEK) The “C” is pronounced.
- Example: Robert (ROW-BEAR) The “T” is NOT pronounced.
Rule 2: The “R” comes from deep in the throat.
The sound of the French “R” doesn’t exist in English. To pronounce it, form your mouth as if you are going to use the “K” sound. Blow air from the back of your throat. It is as if you are gargling water or trying to clear your throat.
- Example: Françoise (FRAN-SWAZ)
- Example: Marie (MAH-REE)
Rule 3: When “M” and “N” follow vowels, they become nasal.
Any vowel followed by an “M” or an “N” creates a nasal sound. Air has to pass through both the nose and the mouth (as opposed to using just the mouth.)
- Example: Alain (AH-LAH)
- Example: Damien (DAH-ME-EH)
Rule 4: The letter “I” is pronounced like the English “E.”
Anytime you see the letter “I”, treat it like an “E” when you pronounce it. Some English names already use this pronunciation rule such as Ian (EE-IN) or Nadine (NAH-DEEN).
- Example: Lili (LEE-LEE)
- Example: David (DAH-VEED)
Want to the learn the French alphabet and sounds? Download your free French alphabet workbook here.
Part 2: Common English Names in French
“I’m lazy. Just tell me what’s my name in French.”
Alright.
If you want to know your name equivalent and how to pronounce it in French, refer to this chart:
Male Names
American Name
French Name
Pronunciation
Andrew
André
AHN-DRAY
Charles
Charles
SHARL
Daniel
Daniel
DAN-YEL
David
David
DAH-VEED
Dennis
Denis
DUH-NEE
Dominic
Dominique
DOH-MEN-EEK
Edward
Edouard
ED-WAHRD
Eric
Éric
AIR-EEK
Fred
Frederic
FREH-DAIR-EEK
Jack
Jacques
JAHK
John
Jean
JAHN
Matthew
Matthieu
MAH-TYOU
Michael
Michel
ME-SHELL
Nicholas
Nicolas
NEE-KO-LAH
Peter
Pierre
PEE-AIR
Phillip
Philippe
FEE-LEEP
Richard
Richard
REE-SHAR
Robert
Robert
ROW-BEAR
William
Guillaume
GHEE-OHM
Xavier
Xavier
EX-HAV-EE-AY
Female Names
American Name
French Name
Pronunciation
April
Avril
AH-VREEL
Bridget
Brigitte
BREE-GHEET
Carol
Carole
CAH-ROLL
Caroline
Caroline
CAH-ROW-LEEN
Catherine
Catherine
CAH-TREEN
Chloe
Chloé
CLO-AY
Christine
Christine
CREE-STEEN
Diane
Diane
DEE-ANN
Elizabeth
Élisabeth
AY-LEE-ZAH-BET
Emily
Émilie
AY-ME-LEE
Genevieve
Geneviève
JAHN-VEE-EV
Helen
Hélène
AY-LEN
Hilary
Hilaire
EE-LAHR
Jacquelyn
Jacqueline
JAH-KLEEN
Joy
Joie
JHO-AH
Julie
Julie
JHU-LEE
Leah
Léa
LAY-AH
Lily
Lili
LEE-LEE
Michelle
Michelle
ME-SHELL
Rachel
Rachelle
RAH-SHELL
Part 3: How to Introduce Yourself in French
Once you know how to say your name in French, you will need to know how to properly introduce yourself in French to other people. Here are some different ways to do so:
A) What’s your name in French (informal)
- What is your name? (Literally: What do you call yourself?)
- Tu t’appelles comment? Comment t’appelles-tu? (Informal)
- Pronunciation: TO-TAH-PEL COH-MOHN? COH-MOHN TAH-PEL-TO?
This informal question would be used among people of the same age group. Children would use this when meeting other children their own age.
B) What’s your name in French (formal)
- What’s your name? (Formal)
- Comment vous appelez-vous? (Formal)
- Pronunciation: COH-MOHN VOOZ-AH-PEL-AY-VOO?
C) My name is… in French.
This is the more polite version. When adults meet each other for the first time, this would be the proper form to use.
- My name is______.
- Je m’appelle ____. (Literally: I call myself ___.)
- Pronunciation: JHE MAH-PEL ____.
D) I call myself… in French.
When someone asks you, “Tu t’appelles comment?” or “Comment vous appelez-vous?” they are saying “What do you call yourself?” using the reflexive verb, s’appeler. It makes sense to respond with “Je m’appelle” (I call myself) as it uses the same reflexive verb.
- I call myself ___.
- Mon nom est ____.
- Pronunciation: MOHN NOM AY ____.
E) My name is… in French
This is the literal “My name is” response. It is acceptable to use for any occasion, but is less common than “Je m’appelle.”
- I am ______.
- Je suis _____.
- Pronunciation: JHE SWEE ____.
F) Pleased to meet you in French
“Je suis” (I am) is also acceptable to use for any introduction, but it is less common than “Je m’appelle.” This phrase is also used to introduce professions or adjectives, such as, “Je suis professeur” (I am a teacher) or “Je suis timide” (I am shy.)
- Pleased to meet you.
- Très heureux./Très heureuse. (Literally: very happy)
- Pronunciation: TRAY-ZUR-UH/TRAY-ZUR-UHZ
When someone introduces themselves, it is common to say “très heureux” to mean that you are very happy to meet them. Males would say “très heureux,” using the masculine form of the adjective. Females would say “très heureuse,” using the feminine form of the adjective.
Part 4: Sample Conversations
Take a look at this sample conversation between two teenagers meeting for the first time:
- Salut*! Tu t’appelles comment?
- Je m’appelle Thomas. Et toi**? Comment t’appelles-tu?
- Je m’appelle Sophie.
Explanation:
*Salut (SAH-LOO) is an informal way of saying “Hi.” It is often used by younger people.
**Et toi (AY-TWA) means “and you.” It is commonly used when asking a question of someone else after they have posed the same question. It uses the informal you, toi.
Here is a conversation between two adults meeting for the first time:
- Bonjour*! Je m’appelle Olivier. Et vous**? Comment vous appelez-vous?
- Bonjour, Olivier. Très heureuse. Je m’appelle Natalie.
Explanation:
*Bonjour (BOHN-JHOR) is a more formal way of saying hello or good day. It is used by adults meeting for the first time.
**Et vous (AY-VOO) means “and you.” It is the formal you-form, so it is used by people who are showing respect for one another or by adults who do not know each other well. It is often used when asking a question of someone else after they have posed the same question.