Renee is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the French name Renée, which in turn comes from the Occitan name Renata. The Occitan name Renata is composed of two elements: "ren", meaning "reborn", and "ata", meaning "given". Therefore, Renee means "reborn" or "given again".
The name Renee has a long history and has been used for centuries in France and other French-speaking regions. It was particularly popular during the Renaissance period, when it was often given to girls born into noble families. The name has also been associated with several notable figures throughout history, including Renée de France, who was a queen consort of France during the 16th century.
Today, Renee remains a popular choice for parents looking for a feminine name with French origins. It is often spelled in various ways, such as Renée, Rénee, or even Reneé. Despite its variations in spelling, the meaning and origin of the name remain constant: Renee means "reborn" or "given again", and it has been used for centuries by families throughout France and other French-speaking regions.
The name Renee has a long and varied history of usage in the United States, with fluctuations in popularity over time. Between 1889 and 2023, there were a total of 185,427 babies born with the name Renee.
In the late 19th century, the name was not particularly common, with fewer than 10 births per year recorded between 1889 and 1898. However, it began to gain traction in the early 20th century, with a significant increase in usage starting in the 1940s.
The decade of the 1950s marked a turning point for the name Renee. Between 1950 and 1959, there were over 38,000 births recorded, with peaks in popularity reaching as high as 4,843 births in 1959. This trend continued into the 1960s, with over 27,000 births recorded between 1960 and 1969.
However, like many names, Renee's popularity began to decline in the latter half of the 20th century. Between 1970 and 1979, there were just over 14,000 births recorded, and this number continued to decrease in subsequent decades. In the most recent decade for which data is available (2013-2023), there have been a total of 568 births with the name Renee.
Despite fluctuations in popularity, the name Renee has maintained consistent usage throughout its history in the United States. It peaked in popularity during the mid-20th century but remains a classic choice for parents looking for a name with a touch of vintage charm.