The nameBenoît
Benoît is the French form of Benedict, "blessed", the name of the father of Western monasticism and of sixteen popes.
- Boy's name
- Latin
- Feast day
Meaning
Benoît comes from the Latin Benedictus, "blessed", from bene, "well", and dicere, "to speak".
Origin
Latin. Saint Benedict of Nursia founded Monte Cassino in the 6th century and wrote the Rule followed by Benedictine monks.
History
Saint Benedict was proclaimed patron of Europe in 1964. In France, Benoît was mostly given in the 1970s and 1980s.
Benoît in other languages
Benoît is the French form of Benedict. It is Benedikt in German, Benedetto in Italian, Benito in Spanish, Bento in Portuguese and Benedykt in Polish. Many popes have taken the name Benedict, most recently Benedict XVI.
Nicknames for Benoît
The most common nicknames for Benoît: Ben.
Did you know?
- In 2013 Benedict XVI, Benoît XVI in French, became the first pope to resign since the Middle Ages.
- The mathematician Benoît Mandelbrot coined the word "fractal".
Famous people named Benoît
- Benedict XVI (Benoît XVI), pope
- Benoît Poelvoorde, Belgian actor
- Benoît Mandelbrot, mathematician
Popularity of the name Benoît
Benoît in France
Benoît was most popular in France in the 1980s, with 38,650 births over the decade, 30% of all recorded babies named Benoît. Its rise began around 1955, and it peaked in 1980. Half of all babies named Benoît in France were born before 1980, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 54 births a year on average, against 86 in the five years before.
Benoît in Belgium
Benoît was most popular in Belgium in the 1990s, with 524 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Benoît. Half of all babies named Benoît in Belgium were born before 2000.
Variants and related names
Benoît in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Benoît mean?
Benoît comes from the Latin Benedictus, "blessed", from bene, "well", and dicere, "to speak".
What is the origin of the name Benoît?
Latin. Saint Benedict of Nursia founded Monte Cassino in the 6th century and wrote the Rule followed by Benedictine monks.
Is Benoît a girl's or a boy's name?
Benoît is a boy's name.
What are the variants of the name Benoît?
Variants and related names of Benoît include Ben, Bénédicte, Bengt and Benoîte.
What are common nicknames for Benoît?
The most common nicknames for Benoît are Ben.
Who are famous people named Benoît?
Benedict XVI (Benoît XVI), pope; Benoît Poelvoorde, Belgian actor; Benoît Mandelbrot, mathematician.