About this surname list
This generator uses the 1,000 most frequently recorded surnames in the national INSEE surname file after counts from each birth decade were combined. The source covers names recorded at least 30 times in France from 1891 to 2000.
Source: INSEE, Fichier des noms, published May 22, 2018. The generator preserves spaces, apostrophes, and hyphens found in the selected source names.
Understanding the historical coverage
These totals describe people born during the source period, not the current population of France. The file excludes people born before 1946 who died before 1972 and applies a shorter 1900 to 2000 range to the covered overseas departments and territory. It also groups names below the publication threshold rather than listing them individually.
Frequently asked questions
Does this include every surname used in France?
No. INSEE lists names recorded at least 30 times during the source period, and this generator uses the 1,000 highest totals from that national file.
Are these current surname rankings?
No. The ranking was calculated from historical birth records covering 1891 to 2000. It is not a ranking of people living in France today.
How does the generator choose surnames?
It randomly selects 1, 10, or 50 unique results at a time. If enough unused names remain, the next batch avoids immediately repeating names from the previous batch.
Can a surname prove French background?
No. A surname alone cannot establish a real person's nationality, citizenship, ancestry, ethnicity, or family history.