Find out how popular the first name Rene has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rene by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Rene is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 83% of people named Rene being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 200 male babies and 19 female babies born with the name Rene.

The history of the first name Rene

The name Rene originates from the French language, deriving from the Germanic name Reinhold or Reginold. It has been in use since the Middle Ages, with its roots tracing back to the 8th century. The name is composed of the Germanic elements "ragin" meaning "counsel" and "wald" meaning "ruler."

In its earliest form, Rene was spelled as Reinhold or Reginold. It gained popularity in France during the 12th century and gradually evolved into the modern spelling of Rene. The name was particularly favored by French nobility and was often given to members of the aristocracy.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rene appears in the 11th century, with Rene d'Anjou (1409-1480), a prominent French prince and Duke of Anjou. He was known for his patronage of the arts and was a celebrated poet and playwright during the Renaissance era.

Another notable figure bearing the name Rene was Rene Descartes (1596-1650), a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist. He is widely regarded as the father of modern philosophy and is famous for his philosophical statement, "I think, therefore I am" (Cogito, ergo sum).

In the realm of literature, Rene was the name of the protagonist in the novel "René" by François-René de Chateaubriand (1768-1848), a renowned French writer and diplomat. The novel explored themes of melancholy and alienation, and its impact on the Romantic movement was significant.

One of the most celebrated artists with the name Rene was Rene Magritte (1898-1967), a Belgian surrealist painter known for his thought-provoking and enigmatic works, such as "The Treachery of Images" and "The Son of Man."

In the realm of music, Rene Jacobs (born 1946) is a renowned Belgian conductor and countertenor, renowned for his interpretations of Baroque and early Classical repertoire.

While the name Rene has been more commonly used in French-speaking countries, it has also been adopted in various cultures around the world, with its meaning and associations reflecting the diverse backgrounds of those who bear it.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Rene was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rene, please contact us.

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