Jeanne returns in French naming trends

The name Jeanne, once a staple for grandmothers, is experiencing a quiet resurgence in French maternity wards, according to recent data from Insee, France’s national statistics institute. This return is part of a broader trend where traditional names are gaining renewed popularity among parents.

Historical popularity of Jeanne

In 1920, Jeanne was one of the most popular names in France, with 16,727 babies named Jeanne that year. This marked a record high and placed the name among the top three most given female names at the time. However, its popularity waned significantly in the decades that followed.

Current status of Jeanne

As of 2025, the name Jeanne has made a notable comeback, with 1,605 births recorded. While this number is just a fraction of what it was in 1920, it places Jeanne at the 26th position among girls' names in France, reflecting a steady but modest rise in popularity.

Modern naming trends in France

The 2025 name rankings, published in July 2026, show that contemporary French parents favor names like Louise, Jade, and Ambre, which top the list with 3,070, 2,925, and 2,805 births respectively. Despite this competition, Jeanne remains firmly established in the upper part of the female name rankings.

Data accuracy and trends

Insee notes that the numbers are rounded to the nearest multiple of 5, but this does not obscure the clear upward trend for Jeanne since 2023. These statistics are compiled from the Fichier des prénoms, a comprehensive database built using the RNIPP, France’s civil registry system that has tracked births since 1900.