Gendering of names

Sebastian S.B2Kwiziq community member

Gendering of names

I find the questions which ask things like "If I say "Tu es français.", who am I speaking to: Lucie or Hugo?" quite frustrating, because the gendering of names isn't fixed.  According to https://madame.lefigaro.fr/prenoms/prenom/garcon/lucie, Lucie, whilst predominantely feminine, has been a mixed name for over a century. 

It might be helpful to add a hint to these kinds of questions that says "Hugo is male, Lucie is female".
Asked 1 month ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I think you can safely go with the overwhelmingly vast majority and take Hugo as male and Lucie as female. A male Lucie would normally be called a Luc. ;)

CécileKwiziq team member

Hi Sebastian, 

That is an interesting comment because I have the same problem with non-European names and need to check whether they are male or female.

I am gathering that the only problem was uniquely about Lucie as there are many different names in the exercise? 

Gendering of names

I find the questions which ask things like "If I say "Tu es français.", who am I speaking to: Lucie or Hugo?" quite frustrating, because the gendering of names isn't fixed.  According to https://madame.lefigaro.fr/prenoms/prenom/garcon/lucie, Lucie, whilst predominantely feminine, has been a mixed name for over a century. 

It might be helpful to add a hint to these kinds of questions that says "Hugo is male, Lucie is female".

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!