French Naming Convention
A Century-Old French Naming Tradition
For nearly a century, France has upheld a naming tradition that is both practical and deeply rooted in heritage. By tying a dog’s registered name to its birth year, this system has become a hallmark of French Epagneul Breton culture — and an inspiration to breeders and owners around the world.As 2025 begins, the cycle returns to the letter “A,” breathing new life into this unique practice and continuing a legacy that spans generations.
How the French Naming System Works
In France, each year is assigned a specific letter of the alphabet. That letter becomes the first letter of a dog’s registered name, often combined with the kennel name. This system makes it easy to estimate a dog’s age at a glance while celebrating the breed’s heritage.
The naming convention applies only to registered names, leaving owners free to use personal “call names” in everyday life.
Not every letter is included in the rotation. Letters like K, Q, W, X, Y, and Z were dropped over time due to the challenge of finding suitable French names. The alphabet cycles every 20 years, returning to “A” after completing the list.
2025
A
2027
C
2029
E
2031
G
2033
I
2035
L
2037
N
2039
P
2041
S
2043
U
2026
B
2028
D
2030
F
2032
H
2034
J
2036
M
2038
O
2040
R
2042
T
2044
V
Why This Tradition Matters
The French naming system is more than a way to track age — it’s a living connection to heritage. In France, it has organized pedigrees for nearly a century, while in the United States many Epagneul Breton breeders and owners have adopted it as a way to honor the breed’s origins.
By using this tradition, our community connects with a global cultural legacy, bridges past and present, and reinforces our shared responsibility to preserve the Epagneul Breton for generations to come.
