Renée is the French feminine form of René, with an added “e” suffix to denote femininity according to French grammatical conventions. The name is pronounced in French with a stress on the second syllable. It has been widely used both as a given name and surname in French-speaking countries and also in other regions, often written without the accent in non–French-speaking contexts.EtymologyThe root of Renée is the late Latin name Renatus, meaning “born again.” In medieval times, this meaning came to be associated with the Christian concept of spiritual rebirth through baptism. The paired masculine form René came to be used through the Renaissance and beyond, while Renée appeared regularly for girls from at least the 18th century.Usage and PopularityWhile consistently present in French, the name boomed in mid-20th-century America. It was among the top 100 given to girls in the 1950s through the early 1980s, thanks in part to American actresses of the era with diminutives or international versions. From the 1990s, its American popularity declined steadily – descending into lower ranks. In France it is no longer in the top ranks but remains a recognized classic.Notable BearersRenée belongs to several public figures, most notably:Renée Adorée (1898–1933), a French silent-film actress who starred opposite John GilbertRenée Zellweger (born 1969), award-winning American actress (she offers a modern, enduringface of the name)Renée Fleming (born 1959), top American sopranoKaren Valentine and others introduced the name in pop culture all the way down to franchise charactersVariants in Other LanguagesCognate and spelling across European languages include Renate (Dutch, German), Renata (Spanish, Polish, Slovak Renáta), the clipped English Renee or Rena/Renita. Virtually all originate from participation with the root concept “reborn”.Meaning: “reborn” or “born again,” connected with early Christian baptismOrigin: Late Latin Renatus → FrenchGender: Feminine (French, etc.)Regions: France, Netherlands, Quebec, historically United States