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.
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The naming convention applies only to registered names, leaving owners free to use personal “call names” in everyday life.
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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.
