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 seen significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half. With only 7 births recorded in its first appearance in 1889, it remained relatively uncommon until the mid-20th century. The name started gaining traction in the late 1940s, with a total of 879 births in 1946, marking a significant increase from previous years.
The peak in popularity for Renee was reached in the late 1950s to early 1960s, with over 6000 births each year between 1959 and 1962. The name maintained high popularity throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, with around 5000 births per year.
However, from the mid-1970s onwards, the popularity of Renee began to decline steadily. By the late 1980s, annual births had fallen below 2000, and this trend has continued into the 21st century. The most recent data shows that there were only 229 births in 2023.
Overall, while Renee was once a highly popular name, it has since declined significantly in popularity over the past several decades.