Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Alphonse
BoyFrench, Germanic· “noble and ready”
- Meaning
- noble and ready
- Origin
- French, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- al-FAHNZ
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,516
- US babies 2025
- 53
- Best rank
- #277 (1913)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Alphonse
Alphonse is a French and Germanic name that means “noble and ready”.
Alphonse is the French form of Alfonso, a name that came to Spain with the Visigoths. It is usually traced to Germanic adal, "noble," and funs, "ready" or "eager," and so glossed as "noble and ready," though some scholars prefer other roots. Many kings of Spain and Portugal were named Alfonso, and French adopted the name as Alphonse. Saint Alphonsus Liguori, the eighteenth-century Italian bishop and theologian, gave it a Catholic following. Well-known French bearers include the writer Alphonse Daudet and the Czech Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha, who made his name in Paris. It is said al-FAHNZ in the US and al-FAWNS in French.
Popularity over time
Alphonse has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 83 different years. Its best national rank was #277 in 1913, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 357 were named Alphonse. In 2025, 53 babies were named Alphonse, and it ranked #2,516 nationally. That is 130% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #320 in 1920, #755 in 1950, #1,853 in 1980, #3,772 in 2000, #6,049 in 2010, and #2,516 in 2025. Of the 10,590 US boys named Alphonse since records began, 24% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 2,326 babies. Since 2010, 586 more have been named Alphonse.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Armand, Earle, Clement, Claud, and Orval.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Alphonse ranked highest in California and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2005 | 7 |
| Texas | #2295 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Alphonse is usually pronounced al-FAHNZ, with two syllables. It has eight letters, starts with A and ends in “-se”.
Middle names for Alphonse
A few middle names that flow with Alphonse: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Alphonse
Similar names
Bernard Boy
bur-NAHRD
“brave as a bear” · Germanic
#1,362
Louis Boy
LOO-ee
“famous warrior” · French
#249
Albert Boy
AL-burt
“noble and bright” · Germanic
#614
Maurice Boy
maw-REES
“Moorish, dark-skinned” · Latin
#1,020
Blaise Boy
BLAYZ
“lisping, stammering” · French
#1,038
Marquise Boy
mar-KEES
“marquess, a noble title” · French
#2,324
Jose Boy
hoh-ZAY
“he will add” · Spanish
#95
Raymond Boy
RAY-mund
“counsel protector” · Germanic
#395
Harvey Boy
HAHR-vee
“battle worthy” · Breton
#251
Roland Boy
ROH-luhnd
“famous land” · Germanic
#608
Leonard Boy
LEN-urd
“brave lion” · Germanic
#637
Eugene Boy
yoo-JEEN
“well born” · Greek
#943
Lists that include Alphonse
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alphonse mean?
Alphonse is a French and Germanic name that means “noble and ready”.
What is the origin of the name Alphonse?
Alphonse has French and Germanic roots. Alphonse is the French form of Alfonso, a name that came to Spain with the Visigoths.
Is Alphonse a popular name?
Not especially. Alphonse ranked #2,516 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Alphonse a boy or girl name?
Alphonse is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Alphonse?
Alphonse is usually pronounced al-FAHNZ. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings