Caresse
A feminine French name meaning "caress" or "gentle fondling with the hands".
Name Census estimates that about 317 living Americans carry the first name Caresse. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Caresse today is around 38 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Caresse births was 1987 (40 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Caresse. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
317
~ 1 in 1,081,244 Americans
Peak year
1987
40 babies that year
Average age
38
years old
2006 SSA rank
#15,491
Tracked since 1949
Popularity
Caresse: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Caresse from the 1940s through to the 2000s, spanning 7 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 147 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Caresse by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Caresse during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Caresses live
Origin
Meaning and history of Caresse
The given name Caresse finds its origins in the French language, derived from the verb "caresser," which means "to caress" or "to stroke gently." The name was likely coined during the Middle Ages or Renaissance period in France, reflecting the romantic and affectionate connotations associated with the word.
In its earliest known usage, the name Caresse appeared in French literature and poetry, often as a symbolic representation of tenderness and affection. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the 16th-century poetry collection "Les Amours" by Pierre de Ronsard, where he uses the name metaphorically to describe a lover's gentle touch.
Throughout history, the name Caresse has been borne by several notable individuals, though its popularity has remained relatively limited. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Caresse Crosby (1891-1970), an American poet, publisher, and patron of the arts, known for her involvement in the avant-garde literary movement.
Another notable figure was Caresse Garner (1908-1993), an American painter and sculptor, whose works are featured in various museums and galleries across the United States. She was particularly known for her abstract expressionist paintings and her use of vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes.
In the realm of literature, Caresse Benedetti (1922-2005) was an Italian writer and journalist, best known for her novel "La vendemmia" (The Grape Harvest), which explored themes of family, tradition, and rural life in Italy.
Moving to the world of fashion, Caresse Musson (1901-1992) was a French fashion designer and couturier, renowned for her elegant and sophisticated creations. She dressed many high-profile clients, including members of the French aristocracy and international celebrities.
Lastly, Caresse Holton (1884-1977) was an American philanthropist and socialite, known for her support of various artistic and cultural organizations. She played a significant role in the establishment of the Holton Arm Gallery in Washington, D.C., which showcased works by emerging artists.
While not a widely popular name, Caresse has maintained a niche presence throughout history, often associated with artistic, literary, and creative circles. Its French origins and the delicate, affectionate connotations it carries have contributed to its unique and distinctive character.
People
Caresse + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Caresse as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Caresse: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Caresse?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 317 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Caresse going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,081,244 US residents.
Is Caresse a common name?
We classify Caresse as "Very Rare". It ranks above 79.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 338 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Caresse most popular?
The single biggest year for Caresse was 1987, when 40 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Caresse is about 38 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Caresse a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Caresse in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.