View Message

Some Unique French Names...
To make a long story short, while researching my family history my grandmother brought to my attention cousins with very unique names. They were born between 1885-1905 in lower Quebec. There were 14 children, 12 daughters and 2 sons.The parents were David Jude and Celine DansereauMarie Anne
Saturine
Joseph Nicolas
Arnesse
Soline
Venerande
Odette
Racine
Hyacinthe
Leontine
Josette
Pie
Anise
DigneThoughts?I like Jude, Celine, Marie, Joseph, Nicolas and Odette.
I think Racine and Hyacinthe aren't so bad either.

This message was edited 6/16/2009, 3:08 PM

Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

Veey interesting! As it happens, I live in a French-speaking area quite near to Quebec.
Racine is a surname, here.
Josette is still in use, but most of the names are not, now. too bad, they are very original.
vote up1
Meanings...I was searching around to try to find out where some of these names come from, as I couldn't find them on BtN. Saturine - I am guessing this is a variant of Saturnine (Saint Saturnina), a virgin martyr from Arras, honored 4 Jun.Arnesse - Although I am not sure, I think this name might be a try at a French feminization of the name Ernest. The only reason I have to believe this is the child was born on 7 Nov, the feast day of Saint Ernest.Soline - Saint Solina, virgin martyr, honored 17 Oct.Venerande - Vénérande (Saint Veneranda), virgin martyr in Champagne, honored 14 Nov.Racine - Means "root" in French. It also is a French surname.Pie - French for Pius.Anise - I believe this may be a feminization of Anese (Saint Anesius), martyr from Africa, honored 31 March. Again, this child was born on 31 March, the same day that Saint was honored.Digne - Saint Digna, virgin martyr from Cordoue, honored 14 Jun.It's interesting after looking into it I've come to find out that almost all of these children were named for the saint which is honored closest to the day of their birth!
vote up1
I like Leontine, Anise, Hyacinthe, Vernande, Marie, and Saturine.
vote up1
I love Odette! Hyacinthe is nice also. :)For some reason Racine makes me think of the word 'rancid.' That's my problem though, and it's probably a fine name.
vote up1
Actually it`s not a fine name, it`s the French word for "root". I have no idea why it was used as a name.
vote up1
Oh! Well there you go. I don't speak French, and couldn't be bothered looking it up, so I was giving it the benefit of the doubt. ;)
vote up1
I like Saturine a lot. Most of the others (Marie Anne, Hyacinthe, Leontine, Anise, etc) are okay, but not too great. Some of the others are a little weird. Pie? was she the tasty, fruit-filled child?
vote up1
If it's French, it would be pronounced PEE. Is odd though...
vote up1
I wondered about Pie too, who is, believe it or not, a boy!I looked into it: I guess Pie is French for Pius.

This message was edited 6/16/2009, 3:20 PM

vote up1
I see. I don't like it too much though [or Pius].
vote up1