Why are French people sometimes called Gaelic?

Answer 1

Gallic not Gaelic

Galle was the latin name for France

Answer 2

They're not, they're called 'Gallic'. This is because the old, pre-Roman name for that part of europe was 'Gaul'. Gallic and Gaelic (which is the name for the Irish language) come from the same root, as both Gauls and Irish peoples at that time were Celts. A region of Spain, called Galicia, is from a similar linguistic origin. The ancient language of that region is quite similar to Gaelic and Breton which, like Welsh and Cornish, are Celtic languages.

Answer 3

Not Gaelic but Gallic. The old name of France was "Gaule" and French people called "Gaulois".

Answer 4

The Gauls lived in Europe before they were driven away
or conquered and suppressed by the Romans.
The Gauls spoke Gallic and were in principle the same ethnic group all over, so it is evident that Gaelic has the same roots.
After the Roman empire crumbled and fell, the two languages
intermingled and some sort of national pride survives in
the name.
Julius Caesar wrote his famous ”Gallia est divisa in partes tres”,
the first French President after WWII: Charles ’De Gaulle’,
a famous cigarette brand ’Gauloises’, etc

Answer 5

The French were or are sometimes called 'Gallic'

Gaul (Latin: Gallia) was the name given, in ancient times, to the region of Western Europe comprising present-day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river.

In English, the word Gaul (French: Gaulois) may also refer to a Celtic inhabitant of that region, although the expression may be used more generally for all ancient speakers of the Gaulish language (a derivative of early Celtic) who were widespread in Europe and extended even into central Anatolia by Roman times. In this way, "Gaul" and "Celt" are sometimes used interchangeably.

more w/ map:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaul

The names Gallia and Galatia sometimes are compared to Gael, which is, however, from Goidhel or Gwyddel, and cannot be directly related.

Answer 6

Gallic. Gaelic is the language of Ireland!

Answer 7

I think you mean Gallic - the area that is now France used to be called Gaul in Roman times, and the Romans called the French Gauls.

Answer 8

Gallic not Gaelic

Answer 9

Actually, they are called Gauls, or sometimes Gallic. The area we now call France was called Gaul in the time of the Roman Empire.

Answer 10

I think you mean Gallic.
As in, "of or having to do with Gaul".
Gaul is an old name roughly corresponding to the area now known as France.
Hence, they are a Gallic people.

Answer 11

Actually,

Before France was called "France" that territory was covered by a much larger country called "Gaul". The word is actually, Gaullic. We're talking centuries ago, but it was a big enough empire that the name still persists.