Viviane
A feminine French diminutive of Vivian meaning "lively" or "vigorous".
Name Census estimates that about 831 living Americans carry the first name Viviane. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Viviane today is around 28 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Viviane births was 2009 (32 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Viviane. 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
831
~ 1 in 412,460 Americans
Peak year
2009
32 babies that year
Average age
28
years old
2024 SSA rank
#4,538
Tracked since 1919
Popularity
Viviane: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Viviane from the 1910s through to the 2020s, spanning 12 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 220 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Viviane remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Viviane 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 Viviane during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Vivianes live
The SSA's state-level files cover 3 states and territories. California, Texas, New York recorded the most babies named Viviane, while New York, Texas, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 24 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Viviane
The name Viviane has its origins in the Latin language and can be traced back to the Roman era. It is believed to be derived from the Latin word "vivus," which means "alive" or "lively." The name may have been used as a descriptor for someone who was full of life and energy.
During the Middle Ages, the name Viviane gained popularity across Europe, particularly in France and England. It was often associated with the Arthurian legend, where a character named Viviane, also known as the Lady of the Lake, played a significant role in the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Viviane can be found in the 12th-century French romance "Lancelot-Grail," also known as the Vulgate Cycle. In this work, Viviane is depicted as a powerful enchantress who aids Merlin and later imprisons him in a tree or a cave, depending on the version of the story.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Viviane. One of the earliest was Viviane de Fors (c. 1205-1275), a French noblewoman and heiress who played a significant role in the political affairs of her time. Another notable figure was Viviane de Calmont (c. 1380-1460), a French poet and patron of the arts during the Renaissance period.
In more recent times, the name Viviane has been carried by several influential women. Viviane Forrester (1925-2023) was a French writer, philosopher, and essayist known for her works on social and political issues. Viviane Reding (born 1951) is a Luxembourgish politician who served as the European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights, and Citizenship from 2010 to 2014.
Another notable figure was Viviane Gauthier (1918-2017), a French resistance fighter during World War II who played a crucial role in the liberation of France. She was awarded the prestigious Croix de Guerre for her bravery and service.
The name Viviane has also been associated with the arts and literature. Viviane Sassen (born 1972) is a Dutch photographer and artist known for her striking and unconventional portraits. Viviane Candas (born 1969) is a French writer and journalist who has authored several novels and non-fiction works.
While the name Viviane has maintained a presence throughout history, its popularity has fluctuated over time. Nonetheless, it remains a name that evokes a sense of vibrancy, energy, and a connection to the rich cultural heritage of the past.
People
Viviane + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Viviane as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with V
Other first names starting with V with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Viviane: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Viviane?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 831 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Viviane 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 412,460 US residents.
Is Viviane a common name?
We classify Viviane as "Very Rare". It ranks above 88.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 988 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Viviane most popular?
The single biggest year for Viviane was 2009, when 32 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Viviane is about 28 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Viviane a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Viviane 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.