75 Cajun Baby Names for Your Little One

You are probably wondering what qualifies as a Cajun name and why you would want to choose one for your sweet baby. If you have French or Canadian ancestors, you might find that you have ties to Louisiana.

The Acadians were Cajun people who migrated from Canada, and some settlers even migrated from France. Some of the baby names on this list have Acadian roots.

However, the Cajun culture doesn't stop there. If you are a fan or native of New Orleans, you can choose one of these names as a connection to where you come from. This way you have another reason to talk to your child about growing up on the Louisiana Bayou or the French Quarter.

Cajun Names for Girls

This section explores the beautiful, often melodic names given to female children in Cajun culture, detailing their meanings and the stories they carry. From traditional names passed through generations to those inspired by nature and French influence, you'll find a selection that celebrates the rich Cajun heritage.

1. Acadia - A French girl name meaning "place of plenty." The origins of the name "Acadia" are from "Acadians," a historical name for the Cajuns who migrated from Canada..
2. Adelaide - Comes from the German name Adalheidis and means "nobility" in French.
3. Antoinette - For the wife of King Louis XVI during the French Revolution, and means "priceless one."
4. Aurelie - Means "golden " in French.
5. Babette - French name that means "my God is my oath."
6. Bernadette - The female version of Bernard, and means "brave bear" in French.
7. Brigitte - The French version of Brighid and means "exalted one."
8. Camille - French name that means "servant for the temple."
9. Cecile - A common French Saint name that means "blind" as in "blind of one's beauty."
10. Corinne - French name that means "maiden."
11. Dorothy - For Dorothy Mae Taylor, a politician in New Orleans who was the first African American woman to serve in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
12. Eugenie - French form of Eugenia that means "well-born" and is shared with the wife of Napoleon III.
13. Evangeline - A French name meaning "good news." Evangeline was name of a deported Acadian who can be found in the poem of the same name by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
14. Fleur - A baby name that originated in France and is French for "flower."
15. Genevieve - Old French name meaning "woman of the race." Name for French Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris.
16. Helene - French female name meaning "shining light." Helene Bergeron was a member of Barachois, a traditional Acadian music group.
17. Hestia - From Ancient Greek mythology. Hestia is the "goddess of hearth and home." In Cajun culture, Hestia is the name of an African American owned Cajun restaurant that opened in Houston, Texas in 2020.
18. Hortense - French name that means "gardener."
19. Jacqueline - The feminine form of Jacques that means "supplanter" in French.
20. Lisette - French name that means "pledged to God."
21. Louise - The feminine form of Louis that means "renowned warrior."
22. Lucille - French name that means "light."
23. Magnolia - Latin name meaning "of great excellence." Magnolias are the Louisiana state flower making this a beautiful Cajun girl name!
24. Marcelle - French name for girls meaning "“warlike; martial; strong”." The name Marcelle comes from a popular surname in Louisiana that reached its peak around 1840.
25. Marguerite - French name that means "pearl" and was very popular in the late 19th century.
26. Nola - Feminine name or Irish origins meaning "white shoulder" or "fair shoulder." Nola is best known as a nickname for the city of New Orleans, Louisiana.
27. Octavia - A Latin name meaning "eight." Octavia is the name of a well-known street in New Orleans, Louisiana.
28. Prudence - An Acadian name that means "cautious" in Latin.
29. Sabine - Feminine name of Latin origins meaning “woman of the Sabine people.” Today, Sabine is the name of the river that forms part of Louisiana's border.
30. Seraphine - French name that means "burning ones."
31. Therese - French feminine name for the French patron Saint Therese of Lisieux. Therese means "late Summer."
32. Valerie - Latin name meaning "health, strong." Valeria of Milan or Saint Valerie who was venerated in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
33. Yvonne - Featured in the song "Jambalaya (on the bayou)" by Hank Williams and is Cajun French for "my good friend."
34. Zoe - Greek name that means "life" but was popular in Louisiana in the 8th century.

Cajun Names for Boys

Cajun boy names carry a strong sense of identity and history, reflecting the resilience and spirit of the Cajun people. These names often honor ancestors, the beauty of the land, or Cajun virtues, offering a glimpse into a vibrant culture.

35. Acadian - Taken from the name for Cajuns, or Acadians who migrated from Canada.
36. Adonis - God of beauty in Greek mythology. Adonis means "extremely good looking" and is also the name with an 8th-century French saint of Vienne.
37. Augustin - Latin name meaning "great and magnificent." Augustin was once a popular surname in Louisiana in the 1800s.
38. Bastien - Short for Sebastien and means "person from the ancient city of Sebastia" in French.
39. Benoit- A French name that is derived from the Latin word Benedictus which means "the one who says the good."
40. Boudreaux - It comes from the French word for a farmer and a common last name for Cajun people.
41. Broussard - For Joseph Broussard, an important historical figure for both the Acadians and Cajuns.
42. Claude - Masculine French name meaning "strong-willed." For Claude Guedry who was an Acadian born in Canada and later immigrated to Louisiana.
43. Delphin - Shares the name with a Greek sea god and translates to "dolphin."
44. Eloi - French for “chosen”.
45. Emmanuel - Boy's name of Hebrew origins meaning "God is with Us." As a Cajun boy name, this name honors Charles Emmanuel the Duke of Savoy who is of French descent.
46. Etienne - Means "crown" and is the Cajun form of Stephen.
47. Florent - An Old French name that means "in flower."
48. Fontenot - Derived from the Old French word Fontaine with means "fountain."
49. Georges - The French version of George. This boy name means "farmer" or "earthworker."
50. Guidry - A popular Cajun name in Louisiana that was adopted from Claude Guedry.
51. Gustave - French male name meaning "staff of God." A male Cajun name made popular by Gustave Dore, a French artist.
52. Hebert - An Old French surname meaning "illustrious army."
53. Horace - Latin boy's name meaning "time; season." For Horace Trahan, a musician who sang Cajun music in French.
54. Jacques - French for "supplanter."
55. Jean-Baptiste - Named for Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, who founded New Orleans in 1718.
56. Lafayette- French for "faith."
57. Landry - For Saint Landry, a 7th-century bishop of Paris.
58. Laurent - French for "crowned with laurel."
59. Lazare - French form of Lazarus that means "God is my help."
60. Louis - French male name meaning "famed warrior." The name inspired the state name Louisiana and is also a name inspired by Lousiana jazz musician Louis Armstrong.
61. Marcel - French for "young warrior."
62. Maurice - French for "dark-skinned."
63. Olivier - French for "elf warrior."
64. Philippe - French male name meaning "lover of horses." In history, New Orleans was named for Philippe II, Duc d'Orleans.
65. Pierre - French form of Peter and means "stone."
66. Raphael - Hebrew for "God has healed."
67. Sebastien - Means "person from the ancient city of Sebastia" in French.
68. Valentin - French for "strong and healthy."
69. Xavier - French, and Spanish for "house."

Gender-Neutral Cajun Names

In the world of Cajun names, many beautiful options do not conform to a specific gender, embodying the fluidity and diversity of this unique culture—including the following options.

70. Beau - French for "beautiful."
71. Breaux - For the Breaux brothers who were Cajun musicians.
72. Marquette - French for "landowner."
73. Remy - French for "remedy."
74. Rene - French form of Renatus, and means "reborn."
75. Valerie - French for "strength" and comes from the Latin word valere.

What Are the Acadian names for Boys?

Acadian names for boys often carry with them a sense of history and cultural significance, reminiscent of the Acadian heritage. Commonly, these names include options like Olivier, Sébastien, Étienne, and Alexandre. Each name has its own unique background, often tied to French roots, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of the Acadian people.

What Are the Most Popular Names in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, a state known for its rich cultural heritage and diversity, the most popular baby names often reflect a blend of tradition, history, and contemporary trends. Some popular names in Louisiana include Olivia, Ava, and Noah, each evoking their own unique characteristics and histories, further showcasing the diverse tastes of Louisiana's residents.

For more baby name inspiration check out these popular baby name lists:

• Top 1,000 Most Popular Baby Girl Names in the U.S.
• Top 1,000 Most Popular Baby Boy Names in the U.S.
• Common French First Names and Meanings

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