Submitted Surname Revision History

Apparently invented by Victor Hugo for his novel Les Misérables (1862), likely chosen for its evocative sound and connotations. According to one etymological interpretation, it may derive from thénard, a term linked to metallurgy or metal casting, combined with the occupational suffix -ier, which denotes someone associated with a trade. So, Thénardier could loosely suggest "one who works with metal"—a fittingly gritty name for a character who is all about manipulation and survival. It is worth noting that Hugo often crafted names with symbolic weight. Thénardier sounds harsh and serpentine in French, echoing Monsieur Thénardier's sly, predatory nature.