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Old French Names

thetwentyeighth
By thetwentyeighth
Updated Thu May 25 2023
Collection for book.
  1. Vincent

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "conquering"

    • Description:

      Vincent is a name with a complex image. After being quietly used for centuries, it is suddenly seeming stylish, along wih other V names. Even the nickname Vince has been given a reprieve via actor Vince Vaughn and country singer Vince Gill. Vin Diesel was born with the more prosaic name Mark Vincent.
  2. Grace

    • Origin:

      English, virtue name

    • Description:

      Grace, a simple and pure virtue name which originally referred to divine grace, is a fashionable classic. In the early 2000s, it seemed headed for the Top 10 but pulled back from the upward trajectory, which you may consider a very good thing.
  3. Rose

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "rose, a flower"

    • Description:

      Rose is derived from the Latin rosa, which referred to the flower. There is also evidence to suggest it was a Norman variation of the Germanic name Hrodohaidis, meaning "famous type," and also Hros, "horse". In Old English it was translated as Roese and Rohese.
  4. Olive

    • Origin:

      English, from Latin, nature name

    • Meaning:

      "olive tree"

    • Description:

      Though greatly overshadowed by the trendy Olivia, Olive has a quiet, subtle appeal of its own -- and is now enjoying a remarkable comeback. Olive is one of only four girl names starting with O on the US Top 1000. Cool couple Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen chose it for their daughter, reviving the name to stylishness, and now Drew Barrymore has a little Olive too, as has country singer Jake Owen.
  5. Vivienne

    • Origin:

      French variation of Vivian

    • Meaning:

      "life"

    • Description:

      Vivienne is an elaborated Gallic version of the name Vivian, chosen first by Rosie O'Donnell for her daughter and then catapulted to superstardom when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie used it for their twin daughter. An adult namesake is the British designer Vivienne Westwood. Rosie O'Donnell also has a daughter named Vivienne, known as Vivi.
  6. Marcel

    • Origin:

      French variation of Marcellus

    • Meaning:

      "little warrior"

    • Description:

      Marcel, despite distinguished namesakes including Proust and Duchamp, suffers from a terminal headwaiter image in this country. But along with its sister name Marcella and French variation (and Jolie-Pitt pick) Marcheline, Marcel may be on the brink of a style renaissance.
  7. Bernadette

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "brave as a bear"

    • Description:

      Although feminizations ending in "ette" are not particularly popular now, Bernadette is a pleasant, feminine, but strong name that doesn't feel prohibitively dated. And though strongly associated with the saint who saw visions of the Virgin Mary—Saint Bernadette of Lourdes—it is now no longer strictly inhabiting the Catholic diocese.
  8. Quentin

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "fifth"

    • Description:

      Quentin, an offbeat name with lots of character, relates to the Latin for the number five and is by far the subtlest and most usable of the Latin birth-order names, masculine as well as stylish and distinctive. It was borne by a third-century saint and came to England with the Normans.
  9. Denise

    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Denis

    • Meaning:

      "god of Nysa"

    • Description:

      Denise was a French favorite of the fifties and sixties but is less chic now. In 2020 it broke back into the Top 1000 after a five-year hiatus, catapulted into style by reality TV star Denisse Novoa — but it dropped out again the following year.
  10. Clarice

    • Origin:

      Medieval form of Clarita, a derivative of Clara

    • Meaning:

      "bright, clear"

    • Description:

      If you’re a fan of the annual animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you’ll recognize the name of Rudolph’s beautiful doe sweetheart, pronounced cla-REES—uncomfortably close to the Silence of the Lambs pronunciation. Clarice was the name of the wife of Lorenzo de' Medici, and Clarice Cliff was a famed British ceramics artist. Though a Top 300 name from 1906 to 1934, modern parents might prefer the more delicate Clarissa.
  11. Durant

    • Origin:

      English and French from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "enduring"

    • Description:

      Durant's meaning signifies staying power, a good quality to impart to your child. Notables with the surname Durant include Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Will and Ariel Durant, most famous for their eleven-volume The Story of Civilization, and William Crappo Durant, co-founder of General Motors and Chevrolet.
  12. Lorenz

    • Description:

      Lorenz is a masculine name of Germanic and Latin origin, derived from the Roman name Laurentius, meaning 'from Laurentum' or 'crowned with laurel,' symbolizing victory and honor in ancient Rome. This continental European variation of Lawrence has been particularly popular in German-speaking countries, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. Lorenz gained historical significance through notable figures like Lorenz von Bibra, Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, and physicist Hendrik Lorentz. The name combines strength and sophistication with its crisp 'z' ending, distinguishing it from more common Anglicized versions. While maintaining steady popularity in European countries, it remains less common in English-speaking regions, offering a distinctive yet recognizable choice. Nicknames may include Lori, Enzo, or Renz.

  13. Ysabel

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Isabel, variation of Elizabeth, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Ysabel is the original spelling of this ever-more-popular name, though to English-speakers, the initial Y may confuse pronunciation. Only 14 baby girls were given the Ysabel spelling in the US last year, while Isabel and Isabelle were each given to about 1800 babies.
  14. Symon

    • Description:

      Symon is a distinctive spelling variant of Simon, a name with ancient Hebrew origins meaning 'he has heard' or 'listening.' This particular spelling adds a touch of uniqueness while maintaining the classic appeal of the traditional form. The 'y' spelling appeared in Medieval English and Scottish documents and has periodically resurfaced as parents seek alternative spellings of familiar names. The name carries biblical significance as Simon was one of Jesus's twelve apostles. Throughout history, Symon has been used across various European cultures, particularly in Eastern European countries and Scotland. While less common than Simon, Symon offers the same friendly, trustworthy qualities with a slightly more distinctive presentation. The name balances traditional roots with a refreshed spelling that feels both historical and contemporary.

  15. Jehan

    • Description:

      Jehan is a masculine name with medieval origins, representing an Old French variant of 'Jean,' which itself derives from the Hebrew name 'Yochanan' meaning 'God is gracious.' Popular during the Middle Ages in France, Jehan appears in historical documents and literature from that period. The name fell out of common usage by the 17th century when the modern form 'Jean' became standard. Today, Jehan has a distinctly antique and romantic quality, occasionally chosen by parents with an interest in medieval history or French heritage. Though rare in contemporary usage, it carries a sophisticated air and connects its bearer to a rich cultural history spanning several centuries.
  16. Aaline
    • Auberee
      • Bourgine
        • Climence
          • Daluce