Among the twenty-six letters of the alphabet, the E is by far the most used in French — and in first names, it reigns supreme. Julie Milbin, in her Guide to boy names 2026 (Solar editions), lists nearly 5,000 first names with their etymology, their character and their famous people. Among them, first names in E form a particularly rich gallery: ancient Hebrew and Greek heritages coexist with solar Italian shapes and Celtic nuggets.
From timeless classics to up-and-coming newbies, our selection covers the entire spectrum: from the British elegance of Édouard to the sunny Mediterranean of Enzo, including the mischievousness of Éloï and the natural charisma of Étienne. Here are ten first names that deserve to be included in your eligible list.
Enzo — Solar power from Italy
Origin : From German
heim (“house, home”) and rik (“king”). Enzo is a hybrid form of Henry born in the 13th century, said to have been invented by Emperor Frederick II for the natural son he had from his Italian mistress. A name like a king, literally. Celebrated on July 13.
Character : Independent, creative, he doesn’t like conflicts because he likes to communicate, especially ideas. Rigorous, he carries out his projects with quiet determination.
Their name is Enzo: Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988), creator of one of the world’s most iconic sports car brands; and the son of Zinedine Zidane, whose first name has become, in France, a true generational signature.
Étienne — The crowned diplomat
Origin : From Greek
stephanos (“crown”). Étienne is the etymological doublet of Stéphane — the same first name, but in his medieval French dress. Celebrated on December 26, it wears green and the number 9, a sign of a nature oriented towards harmony.
Character : Sociable, tolerant, always looking for harmony. Étienne is a born mediator, the one who finds the right formula so that everyone feels heard.
Their name is Étienne:
Étienne Marcel, provost of the merchants of Paris and opponent of the future Charles V; the poet Étienne de La Boétie, friend of Montaigne; Bishop Étienne Montgolfièr, pioneer of ballooning; the filmmaker Étienne Chatiliez, director of
Life is a long quiet river.
Émile — The eternally young
Origin : From Latin
aemulus (“rival”) or from the Greek haimulos (“cunning”). Aemilius was the name of a great Roman family. Celebrated on May 22, Émile wears blue and the number 8, synonymous with depth and balance. With an average age of 89 and an upward trend, Émile is the perfect representative of the “chic grandfather’s name” which is coming back into fashion.
Character : Émile stands out for his freshness of mind, his spontaneous enthusiasm. He is voluntary, very intuitive, active. A child who never gets bored — and won’t let you get bored either.
Their name is Émile: Émile Zola, author of the dazzling I Accuse…! ; Émile Litté, the great lexicographer; and of course theEmile by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, an educational treatise which revolutionized educational thinking. A first name that carries within it the very idea of awakening.
Eugene — The well-born who returns to grace
Origin : From Greek
eugenios (“well born, of noble birth”). Celebrated on July 13, Eugène wears blue and the number 3. With an average age of 93 years and an upward trend, this old-fashioned first name is one of the elegant “bobos” identified by the guide: rare, singular, and yet immediately recognizable.
Character : Eugène has strong adaptation skills, a strong spirit of innovation and knows how to navigate outside of his comfort zone. A curious child, always ready to explore new horizons.
Their name is Eugene: The painter Eugène Delacroix, master of romanticism and author of Liberty leading the people ; the playwrights Eugène Labiche and Eugène Ionesco; Eugène Sue, author of the famous
Mysteries of Paris.
Elias — The New Biblical Star
Origin : From Hebrew
el And yah (“God is God”). Elias is one of the international forms of Elijah, the great Hebrew prophet. The final syllable “yah” is the one found in yahweh and Jehovah — a deep theological anchor. Celebrated on July 20.
Character : Energetic and ambitious, which sometimes makes him somewhat authoritarian. But he is a leader, not a tyrant: he leads others in his wake by the force of his conviction.
The little extra: With an average age of only 10 years and a clearly upward trend, Elias is one of the most dynamic first names on this list. A choice that is both beautiful, rare and worn by a generation of the future.
Ethan — The strong, the firm, the modern
Origin : From Hebrew
etan (“strong, firm”). This first name was worn by three characters from the Bible. One of them, a high official of King Solomon, was reputed to have wisdom equal to that of the king himself. The English-speaking version Ethan (with its typically Puritan central “h”) then crossed the Atlantic. Carried by the color green and the number 3.
Character : Lively, charismatic, funny and with great adaptability. A child who fits in everywhere, seduces everyone and never forgets to have fun.
Their name is Ethan: Ethan Allen, hero of the American War of Independence; actor Ethan Hawke, revealed in Before Sunrise ; and Ethan Coen, one of the filmmaker brothers to whom we owe Fargo And
No Country for Old Men.
Édouard — The elegant guardian
Origin : From German
ed (“goods, riches”) and ward (“guardian”). Celebrated on January 5, Édouard is literally “the guardian of riches”. His opulent French resonates as well in the salons of the Third Republic as in today’s playgrounds.
Character : Available and equipped with a certain capacity to act for others, Édouard has the aptitude for dedication and command. A born leader who knows how to listen before deciding.
Their name is Édouard: The painters Édouard Manet and Édouard Vuillard; the politicians Édouard Herriot and Édouard Balladur; and the actor Édouard Baer, enlightened fantasist of French cinema.
Éloï — The mischievous chosen one
Origin : From Latin
eligius (“elected”). Celebrated on December 1, Éloï wears yellow and the number 5. Its etymology literally designates it as a chosen one – and when we look up at the good Saint Éloï (588–659), advisor to King Dagobert and exceptional craftsman, we understand that this first name has always been worn by people of value.
Character : Éloï is a breath of fresh air in his own right. He has the faults of his qualities: mischievous but scatterbrained. But as he repairs his mistakes, few are angry with him.
Please note: The good King Dagobert and his poorly worn pants immortalized him in popular song. Éloï appears there as the wise advisor who gently restores order. A great job description for a first name.
Élouan — The very luminous
Origin : From Celtic: “the very luminous, the very enlightened”. Celebrated on August 28, Élouan is a first name of Breton origin whose roots lie in Celtic tradition with very natural grace. A name that literally carries light.
Character : Curious, optimistic and independent. A child who looks at the world with wonder and moves at his own pace — in full light.
The little extra: With an average age of only 7 years and an upward trend, Élouan is one of the great Breton surprises of this generation. It is also available in Élouann and Élouen, depending on the family.
Emmanuel — God is with us
Origin : From Hebrew
imanu-el (“God is with us”). Celebrated on December 25 — Christmas Day — Emmanuel is one of the names of Christ in the Old Testament. A first name that is both deeply spiritual and resolutely universal, present in all cultures in multiple forms: Manuel, Manu, Manolo, Immanuel…
Character : Emmanuel is a man of will. She is the one who pushes and supports him. Very active, he also has a strong professional conscience. A first name for a child who will see his projects through to the end.
Their name is Emmanuel: The philosopher Emmanuel Kant, pillar of modern thought; the composer Emmanuel Chabrier; the singer Emmanuel Moire. And more broadly, the short form Manu remains one of the most affectionate in the French repertoire.
To go further
This selection only touches on the richness of the letter E. Other first names deserve your attention: Erwan the independent Celt, Eudes the fanciful altruist, Évariste the brilliant mathematician, Eustache the integrant, Eden the garden of all delights, or even Elijah in his first Hebrew form. For each, etymology, detailed character and variants are available in the Guide to boy names 2026 by Julie Milbin (Solar editions), your best companion for finding — finally — the ideal first name.