🇫🇷 Other Names for France: Discover the Many Titles of the French Nation
France is known for its rich culture, global influence, and deep historical roots—but did you know it goes by many different names? From poetic nicknames to ancient titles, each reflects a unique facet of the country’s evolving identity.
🏛 Historical Names
Gaule (or Gaul in English) was the name used by the Romans to describe the region that is now modern-day France, inhabited at the time by a variety of Celtic tribes.
Francia was the Latin term meaning “Land of the Franks,” used during the early medieval period following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.
Royaume de France, or the “Kingdom of France,” was the official designation from 843 until the French Revolution in 1792, and briefly reinstated during the Bourbon and July monarchies (1814–1848).
République française, meaning “French Republic,” has been the official name of the nation since 1792, though it has been interrupted by various returns to monarchy and empire.
Empire français refers to the two imperial periods in French history: the First Empire under Napoleon Bonaparte (1804–1814/15), and the Second Empire under Napoleon III (1852–1870).
🗺️ Geographic or Territorial Nicknames
La France is the standard and most widely used name for the country in its native language, encompassing both its identity and territory.
L’Hexagone is a popular nickname that refers to the roughly hexagonal shape of mainland France when viewed on a map.
La Métropole or La France métropolitaine specifically denotes the European mainland part of France, distinguishing it from its overseas regions and territories.
L’Outre-mer or La France d’outre-mer refers collectively to France’s overseas departments and territories, which include areas in the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific, and South America.
🇫🇷 Cultural or Poetic Nicknames
La Douce France, meaning “Sweet France,” is a nostalgic and affectionate term often found in songs, poetry, and literature, evoking warmth and national pride.
La Belle France, or “Beautiful France,” is a romanticized phrase commonly used in travel writing and promotional material to highlight the country’s scenic charm and cultural elegance.
Le Pays des Lumières, or “The Land of Enlightenment,” refers to France’s central role in the Age of Enlightenment, celebrating its legacy of philosophy, reason, and intellectual progress.
La Grande Nation, meaning “The Great Nation,” emerged during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic period as a symbol of France’s strength, influence, and revolutionary ideals.
La Fille aînée de l’Église, or “The Eldest Daughter of the Church,” is a title bestowed by the Catholic Church to acknowledge France’s early adoption and historic defense of Roman Catholicism.
🌍 Names in Other Languages
France is the English name for the country, derived from the Latin Francia and widely used in international contexts.
Frankreich is the German name for France, meaning “Realm of the Franks,” which directly reflects the country’s early medieval roots.
Francia is the modern name used in Italian and Spanish, closely following its Latin origin and emphasizing the continuity of historical identity.
França is how France is referred to in Portuguese, sharing the same Latin lineage as its Romance-language counterparts.
Fransâ (فرنسا) is the Arabic transliteration of France, commonly used across the Arabic-speaking world.
Falanxi (法兰西) is the Mandarin Chinese transliteration of “France,” used in formal and educational contexts.
Furansu (フランス) is the Japanese phonetic adaptation of the word “France,” based on its pronunciation.
Faransa is used in Swahili and several African languages, especially in former French colonies, reflecting France’s colonial influence.
🛡️ Symbolic or Political References
La République, meaning “The Republic,” is a term used politically and symbolically to emphasize France’s identity as a secular, democratic state governed by the rule of law.
La Nation, or “The Nation,” is often invoked in patriotic discourse to represent the collective unity, sovereignty, and shared destiny of the French people.
La Patrie, meaning “The Fatherland,” carries a strong emotional and historical weight, especially in military contexts, where it evokes duty, sacrifice, and national pride.
La Mère Patrie, or “The Motherland,” is frequently used by France’s overseas departments and former colonies to refer to mainland France as their historical and cultural origin.
🧭 Why So Many Names?
France’s many names reflect its long and layered history, its diverse territories, and its evolving national identity. Learning these terms gives us a richer understanding of how France sees itself—and how it has been seen by the world across time.
After exploring the different names for France, learn about the country’s values with our article on the national motto of France.
Among France’s many names and symbols, none shines brighter than its Independence Day: 14 Juillet.
Once you’ve read about France’s different names, take a closer look at its central region in our article on Île-de-France.