The name René is of French origin and means "reborn" or "again-born". It is derived from the Latin word renatus, which is a past participle of the verb regnari, meaning "to be reborn". The name has been used in France since the Middle Ages and was popular among the nobility. Some notable figures with the name René include René Descartes, the famous French philosopher and mathematician, and René Magritte, the Belgian surrealist painter. Today, René is still a popular name in France and other Francophone countries, but it is also used around the world as a unisex name.
The name "Rene" has seen a fascinating journey in its popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest record of this name's usage dates back to 1885, with only five births that year. However, it was not until 1895 that we began to see a notable increase, with eleven births recorded.
The turn of the century brought a significant surge in popularity for the name Rene. Between 1900 and 1913, there were consistently high numbers of births each year, reaching as many as twenty-two births in 1913. This period saw the name at its peak popularity during this time frame.
However, the following years saw a decline in the usage of the name Rene. From 1920 to 1945, there was an average of about thirty-five births per year. Despite this decrease in popularity, it is worth noting that there were some notable spikes during this period, such as ninety-eight births in 1946 and a peak of 177 births in 1949.
The post-war era brought another wave of popularity for the name Rene. Between 1950 and 1973, there was an average of about five hundred births per year, with peaks reaching as high as nine hundred births in 1960. However, starting from 1974, we began to see a steady decline in the popularity of the name.
The latter half of the twentieth century and early twenty-first century have seen a significant decrease in the usage of the name Rene. From 1985 onwards, there were consistently fewer than two hundred births each year, with some years seeing as few as seventeen births (in 2010). Despite this decline in popularity, it is interesting to note that the most recent data available (up until 2023) shows a slight increase from previous years, indicating perhaps a resurgence of interest in the name Rene.
Overall, the name Rene has had a varied history of popularity in the United States. While it once peaked as one of the more popular names in its heyday, it has since seen a decline in usage, though recent trends suggest that it may be regaining some favor among parents today.