Antoinne

Meaning & origin

Antoinne first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1961, a late arrival compared to the centuries-old French Antoine. Its most popular year was 1979, when it reached a frequency of 1 in 80,000 male births, but it has never cracked the top 1000 names. Since the 1970s, usage has remained stable at very low levels, never exceeding a handful of births per year. The variant spelling with a double 'n' is a distinctive alternative to the more common Antoine, which itself is a staple in French-speaking communities. Antoinne has not been concentrated in any particular state, reflecting its sporadic use across the country. This name offers a Gallic flair without the weight of high popularity.

Antoinne is a variant spelling of Antoine, the French form of the Latin name Antonius. The meaning of Antonius is uncertain, but it has been associated with the Greek word anthos meaning 'flower' or with the Etruscan root antom. The name has been borne by several early Christian saints, including Saint Anthony the Great, and has remained popular in the French-speaking world since the Middle Ages.