French
Popular unisex names of French origin include Camille, Claude, Dominique, and Frederique. In France and French-speaking countries, it is not unusual for people to have a combination of both male and female given names, such as Jean-Marie, Marie-Jean, Marie-Pierre, and Julie-Pierre. Marie is commonly seen in both males and females, which stems from the deep influence on French culture of Catholicism and its Marian devotions. Notable examples of people with a combination of male and female given names are Jean-Marie Le Pen (male), Marie-Jean Hérault de Séchelles (male), Marie-Pierre Kœnig (male), and Marie-Pierre Leray (female).
European royals often bear the name Marie, the French form of Maria, in their names. Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este (Amedeo Marie Joseph Carl Pierre Philippe Paola Marcus), Prince Jean of Luxembourg (Jean Félix Marie Guillaume), and Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg (Jean Benoît Guillaume Robert Antoine Louis Marie Adolphe Marc) are examples of male royals who bear Marie in their names.
Read more about this topic: Unisex Name
Famous quotes containing the word french:
“Vivian Rutledge: So you do get up. I was beginning to think perhaps you worked in bed like Marcel Proust.
Philip Marlowe: Who’s he?
Vivian: You wouldn’t know him. French writer.
Marlowe: Come into my boudoir.”
—William Faulkner (1897–1962)
“Sanity is the lot of those who are most obtuse, for lucidity destroys one’s equilibrium: it is unhealthy to honestly endure the labors of the mind which incessantly contradict what they have just established.”
—Georges, French novelist, critic. L’Abbé C, pt. 2, ch. 17 (1950)
“The third day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Three French hens,”
—Unknown. The Twelve Days of Christmas (l. 8–10)