Skip to content
SearchOTT
What's in a Name poster

What's in a Name

2012·Movie·110 min·7.3(1,802)

A child is the beginning of happiness. A name is the beginning of despair.

Vincent, a wealthy real estate agent, is invited to dinner by his sister Elizabeth and her husband Peter, both professors in Paris. Claude, a childhood friend and trombonist in a symphony orchestra, is also present. Vincent brings news from the prenatal examination of his and his wife Anna's unborn son. The name chosen by the soon-to-be parents strongly offends the others for many reasons. The dispute between the guests quickly escalates and before long the resurgence of old grudges and hidden secrets is unavoidable...

▶ Watch trailer

Where to watch What's in a Name in United States

Click a service to open What's in a Name there. Availability last verified on June 21, 2026.

Where is What's in a Name streaming around the world?

CountryStreaming onRent / Buy
United StatesOVID, Kanopy, Hoopla, Fandango at Home FreeAmazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies
United KingdomApple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
CanadaApple TV Store
AustraliaJustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
GermanyApple TV Store, Amazon Video, maxdome Store
FranceMolotov TV, TF1+Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Canal VOD
SpainApple TV Store

About What's in a Name

What's in a Name is a 2012 French-language comedy film directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière. The cast is led by Patrick Bruel, Valérie Benguigui, Charles Berling. It has a runtime of 1h 50m. Viewers rate it 7.3/10 across 1800 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on OVID, Kanopy, Hoopla.

What's in a Name was produced by Chapter 2, Pathé, and M6 Films and made in France and Belgium. It was released on April 25, 2012.

Director
Matthieu Delaporte, Alexandre de La Patellière
Writers
Matthieu Delaporte, Alexandre de La Patellière
Release date
April 25, 2012
Original language
French
Status
Released
Country
France, Belgium
Production
Chapter 2, Pathé, M6 Films

What's in a Name cast & crew

What's in a Name was directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière and written by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière.

The cast features Patrick Bruel as Vincent, Valérie Benguigui as Élisabeth, Charles Berling as Pierre, Guillaume de Tonquédec as Claude, Judith El Zein as Anna, and Françoise Fabian as Françoise.

Behind the camera, the score was composed by Jérôme Rebotier, cinematography is by David Ungaro, and it was produced by Dimitri Rassam and Jérôme Seydoux.

Is What's in a Name worth watching?

What's in a Name holds an audience score of 7.3/10 from 1,802 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed comedy films.

At 1h 50m, it's a standard feature-length watch.

If you enjoy comedy, What's in a Name is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch What's in a Name

In United States, you can stream What's in a Name on OVID, Kanopy, Hoopla, Fandango at Home Free, and Tubi TV, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.

Rate & review

Your rating and review are saved privately in this browser — no account needed.

Cast of What's in a Name

Patrick Bruel

Patrick Bruel

Vincent

Valérie Benguigui

Valérie Benguigui

Élisabeth

Charles Berling

Charles Berling

Pierre

Guillaume de Tonquédec

Guillaume de Tonquédec

Claude

Judith El Zein

Judith El Zein

Anna

Françoise Fabian

Françoise Fabian

Françoise

Yaniss Lespert

Yaniss Lespert

Livreur pizza

Miren Pradier

Miren Pradier

Infirmière bracelet

Alexis Leprisé

Alexis Leprisé

Apollin

Juliette Levant

Juliette Levant

Myrtille

Bernard Murat

Bernard Murat

L'obstétricien

What's in a Name — FAQs

Where can I watch What's in a Name in United States?

What's in a Name is streaming on OVID, Kanopy, Hoopla, Fandango at Home Free in United States.

Is What's in a Name on OVID?

Yes — What's in a Name is currently available on OVID in United States.

What language is What's in a Name in?

What's in a Name is originally in French. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.

How long is What's in a Name?

What's in a Name runs 1 hours 50 minutes (110 minutes).

What is What's in a Name rated?

It holds a 7.3/10 audience score from 1,802 ratings.

More like What's in a Name

Family Resemblances
Family Is Family
The Test
Paris Follies
A Difficult Year
Open Season
No Filter
LOL 2.0: Anne’s Golden Hour
The Nannies
Demi-sœurs
Three Men and a Cradle
Comme t'y es belle !
What's in a Name (2012) — where to watch online · SearchOTT