Armand is a masculine given name of French origin and meaning. It comes from the Germanic element "heri," which means "army" or "warrior," combined with the element "man." Thus, Armand translates to "protector of the army" or "warrior among men."
The name Armand has been in use for centuries, with its earliest known usage dating back to the Middle Ages. It was popular among French nobility and has since spread to other countries, including Spain, Italy, and even England.
One of the most notable figures named Armand was Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu (1585-1642), a French cardinal and statesman who served as chief minister to King Louis XIII. He is remembered for his influential role in shaping the policies of 17th-century France, earning him the title "the Cardinal de Richelieu."
While Armand may not be as commonly used today as it once was, it remains a timeless name that evokes images of elegance and sophistication, thanks to its French heritage and historic associations. It is often chosen by parents who appreciate classic names with strong meanings and origins.
The name Armand experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half. While it was quite uncommon at the start with only around 6 births per year between 1880 and 1890, its popularity surged dramatically from 1905 onwards, reaching a peak of 351 births in 1918. However, after World War I, its popularity began to decline steadily, with the number of annual births named Armand dropping below 100 by the late 1940s and continuing to decrease into the 2000s, where it has remained relatively stable with fewer than 50 births per year since 2006. Overall, a total of 15,281 babies named Armand were born between 1880 and 2023.