Corinne is a French feminine given name, derived from the Corinna, itself a Latinized form of the Greek name Κόριννα (Korinna). The Greek name is ultimately derived from the word κόρη (kore), meaning "maiden". The name gained widespread popularity in the English-speaking world following the publication of Madame de Staël's 1807 novel Corinne, which tells the story of an accomplished Italian poetess. Etymology and History The root name, Corinna, was borne by a renowned Greek lyric poet of the 5th century BC, hailing from Tanagra in Boeotia. Classical sources reference her as a contemporary of the more famous Pindar, and she was known for her poetry written in the local Boeotian dialect. The Roman poet Ovid later adopted the name for the main female character in his book Amores, a collection of elegiac love poems. In English literature, the variant Corinna appears in the 17th century in Robert Herrick's poem Corinna's Going A-Maying, where she is exhorted to enjoy the pleasures of spring. This literary usage helped popularize the name in England before the French form Corinne took precedence. The spelling Corinne, specifically with a double 'n' and an 'e', was popularized by Madame de Staël's novel. The character Corinne is a brilliant Italian poetess, singer, and dancer, representing the ideal of the Romantic genius and female creativity. The novel touched on themes of nationality, gender, and artistic expression, cementing the name in European cultural consciousness. Variants and Usage Corinne has numerous variants across different languages and cultures. French variants include Corine; English variants include Corrine, Coreen, and Corynn. Other related forms include the Italian Corinna, Spanish Corina, Dutch Corine, and the Greek mythological name Cora (derived from the same root). Cultural Significance The name has been borne by various notable figures in modern times, particularly in film, stage, and television. Examples include French actress Corinne Calvet (1925–2001), American actress Corinne Bohrer (born 1958), and television producer Corinne Brinkerhoff (born 1979). Meaning: "maiden" (from Greek kore) Origin: French/Greek Type: First name Usage Regions: English, French