The nameBaptiste
Baptiste is a French boy's name meaning "the one who baptises", from the title of John the Baptist. It was very popular in France in the 1990s.
- Boy's name
- Greek
Meaning
Baptiste comes from the Greek baptistes, "one who immerses, who baptises".
Origin
Greek, through Latin. It is the title of John the Baptist, who baptised in the Jordan.
History
Long used mainly in the compound Jean-Baptiste, very common in the 17th and 18th centuries, Baptiste became a fashionable name on its own in the 1980s and 1990s, peaking around 2000.
Baptiste in other languages
Baptiste is the French form. It is Battista in Italian, Bautista in Spanish and Baptista in Portuguese. It is often paired with John: Jean-Baptiste, Giovanni Battista, Juan Bautista.
Did you know?
- Molière, whose real name was Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, died in 1673 a few hours after playing in The Imaginary Invalid.
Famous people named Baptiste
- Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known as Molière
- Baptiste Serin, rugby player
Popularity of the name Baptiste
Baptiste in France
Baptiste was most popular in France in the 2000s, with 34,970 births over the decade, 32% of all recorded babies named Baptiste. Its rise began around 1978, and it peaked in 2000. Half of all babies named Baptiste in France were born before 2001. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 669 births a year on average, against 1,573 in the five years before.
Baptiste in Belgium
Baptiste was most popular in Belgium in the 2000s, with 1,374 births over the decade, 37% of all recorded babies named Baptiste. Half of all babies named Baptiste in Belgium were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 79 births a year on average, against 132 in the five years before.
Baptiste in Switzerland
Baptiste in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Baptiste mean?
Baptiste comes from the Greek baptistes, "one who immerses, who baptises".
What is the origin of the name Baptiste?
Greek, through Latin. It is the title of John the Baptist, who baptised in the Jordan.
Is Baptiste a girl's or a boy's name?
Baptiste is a boy's name.
Who are famous people named Baptiste?
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known as Molière; Baptiste Serin, rugby player.