Manon is a French given name of Breton origin. It means "severe" or "strong-willed". The name comes from the Breton word "man", which means "strong". Manon was traditionally used as a boy's name in Brittany, but it has since become more popular for girls.
The earliest known use of the name Manon is in the 14th century. It was used by several nobles and clergy members in Brittany during this time period. In the 17th century, the name gained popularity outside of Brittany due to the novel "Manon Lescaut" by Abbé Prévost. The novel tells the story of a young woman named Manon who falls in love with a man named Des Grieux. Their relationship is tumultuous and ultimately tragic.
Despite its origins as a boy's name, Manon has become more commonly used for girls today. It is often chosen because of its unique sound and meaning. Some famous people with the name Manon include French actress Manon Anderson and Canadian singer-songwriter Manon Brisse. Overall, Manon is a distinctive and meaningful French given name with a rich history behind it.
Manon is a popular female given name in the United States, with a rich history spanning over a century. According to the statistics provided, the name Manon has seen varying levels of popularity since its first recorded appearance in the early 20th century.
The name Manon was first given to five baby girls in the United States in 1917. This pattern of five births per year continued for several years, with notable spikes in popularity during the late 1950s and early 1960s. In 1961 and 1962, a total of 24 Manons were born, marking a significant increase from previous years.
The name's popularity seemed to wane slightly during the 1970s and 1980s, with fewer than ten births per year recorded. However, it made a resurgence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with over 25 Manons born each year between 1997 and 2004.
Since then, the name has maintained a steady level of popularity, with around five to ten births per year. The most recent data from 2023 shows that eight baby girls were named Manon at birth, indicating that this classic name continues to be favored by American parents today.
In total, over the course of more than a century, from 1917 to 2023, the name Manon has been given to 817 baby girls in the United States. This demonstrates the enduring appeal and timelessness of this unique and elegant name choice.