Jules

Jules is a masculine given name and, less commonly, a surname. It is the French form of Julius, a Latin name used since ancient Rome. In French-speaking contexts, Jules is a standard male given name; in other languages it can appear as a nickname for Julian or Julius or as a surname.

Origin and meaning: Julius comes from Latin Iulius. The exact meaning is uncertain, but the name is historically associated with the Julian clan and, in some interpretations, with Jupiter. The form Jules emerged in French and has spread to other languages as a standalone name or as a familiar form of Julius or Julian.

Notable people: Jules Verne (1828–1905) was a French novelist whose adventure stories helped popularize science fiction. Jules Renard (1864–1910) was a French author and playwright. Jules Michelet (1798–1874) was a French historian. Jules Bordet (1870–1961) was a Belgian bacteriologist and Nobel laureate. Jules Rimet (1873–1956) organized the early FIFA World Cup tournaments. Jules Leotard (1838–1870) was a French acrobat who popularized the leotard. Contemporary figures include professional footballer Jules Koundé (born 1998).

In fiction and culture: Jules Winnfield is a prominent character in the film Pulp Fiction, illustrating the name’s use in contemporary storytelling. The name Jules appears in various works of fiction across languages, often as a straightforward, approachable given name.

See also: related names such as Julius and Julian; cultural variations of the form Jules in different languages.