A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Achille since 1911
Babies named Achille per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Achille's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 88 |
| 1920s | 137 |
| 1930s | 42 |
| 1940s | 27 |
| 1950s | 12 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 10 |
| 2000s | 15 |
| 2010s | 19 |
| 2020s | 32 |
Meaning & origin
Achille is a classic boy's name that has been in use in the United States since at least 1911, when it ranked 8,243 and was given to about 1 in 189,786 babies. After a period of decline, it has been rising again since 2015, showing a revival of interest in this strong historical name. Achille is most common in French and Italian communities, reflecting its origins in the Hellenic name Achilles, borne by the legendary Greek warrior. Though never a top-tier name, its steady if modest presence suggests enduring appeal for parents seeking a name with classical gravitas and European flair.
Achille is the French and Italian variant of the ancient Greek name Achilleus, famously borne by the Greek hero of the Trojan War. The name's derivation is uncertain: it may come from Greek 'achos' (pain) or be of pre-Greek origin. It has been used in France and Italy since the medieval period, often in honor of the classical hero.
“Achille” around the world
Where Achille lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#86
in 2024
Quebec
16
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Achi, Chille, Ach
Variants: Achilles
Sibling names for Achille
Names that share Achille's style, for a brother or sister.
