In the statistics of the first name file of INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies), an old French male first name catches the eye again. At the height of its glory in 1920, it was given to around 14,520 newborns, before collapsing to around 30 births in the mid-2000s. In recent years, this first name “grandpa” has been slowly making a comeback in maternity wards, driven by the fashion for retro first names and the “100-year rule”.
This first name is therefore Marcel. According to the 2026 edition of the first name file published by INSEE, around 585 little boys born in France in 2025 have this first name, the numbers being rounded in increments of 5. We remain far from the explosion of the beginning of the 20th century, but this regular rise is intriguing: why are parents rediscovering this discreet classic rather than the very given Gabriel, Léo or Noah?
Why the first name Marcel returns in French maternity wards
The curves published by INSEE show a real novel. Marcel exploded around 1920 with more than 14,520 births, before slowly declining after World War II. Around 2005, it only affected around thirty babies per year. Since then, the trend has been reversed: each year, a few dozen additional little Marcels appear in the civil registry.
This revival corresponds to what sociologists call the “100-year rule”: a century after its peak, the first name leaves living memory to become retro-chic. INSEE today estimates the average age of Marcels to be around 75, which places them in the generation of great-grandparents. For young parents, it is no longer the grandfather’s first name, but a tender nod to another era.
Marcel, a retro first name between heritage and quest for authenticity
Of Latin origin, Marcel derives from Marcellus, diminutive of Marcus associated with the Roman god Mars, which gives it the meaning of “little warrior”. The first name established itself in the 20th century with Marcel Proust and his cycle In search of lost timeMarcel Pagnol or even the filmmaker Marcel Carné. People named Marcel are often described as being full of enthusiasm, blessed with a vivid imagination and a cheerful nature. Although they can sometimes appear carefree, they always remain charming.
In the testimonies of future parents, Marcel ticks a lot of boxes: short first name, easy to pronounce, very French and rare enough that his child does not share his chair with three namesakes. It offers a reassuring alternative to current hits like Alba, Gabriel or Léo. Conversely, first names very given between 1950 and 1970, such as Patrick, Thierry, Michel or Gérard, remain considered dated by La Maison des Maternelles.
What the choice of the first name Marcel says about today’s families
The movement is not limited to a nostalgia effect. Many couples say they go looking for Marcel in the family tree, to pay homage to an ancestor while giving their child a first name that is perceived as current. The INSEE first name file, which covers births in France from 1900 to 2025, confirms this discreet but continuous return. Celebrated on January 16, Marcel also finds its place as a middle name, for those who are still hesitant to display it at the top of their civil status.