Aglaé

Aglaé is the French form of Aglaia, a name derived from the Greek word aglaia meaning "splendour, beauty" or "brilliance". In Greek mythology, Aglaia was one of the three Graces (Charites), goddesses of charm, beauty, and creativity. She was often associated with beauty in art and nature, sometimes depicted as the wife of Hephaestus. The name also carries Christian significance through a 4th-century Roman saint named Aglaia, who, according to tradition, was a wealthy noblewoman who converted to Christianity and is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The French form Aglaé aligns with the tradition of adapting Greek mythological and early Christian names into French naming conventions, often with the addition of an accent on the final 'e' to indicate pronunciation. While less common in modern times, Aglaé experienced some usage among French aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries, as evidenced by notable historical bearers such as Charlotte Aglaé d'Orléans, a French noblewoman of the House of Orléans, and several other aristocratic figures listed below.

Notable Bearers

• Aglaé Adanson (1775–1852) – French horticulturalist and writer.
• Aglaé Auguié (c. 1787–1854) – French court official.
• Charlotte Aglaé d'Orléans (c. 1700–1761) – French noblewoman, daughter of Philippe II, Duke of Orléans.
• Aglaé de Polignac (c. 1768–1803) – French noblewoman, a companion to Queen Marie Antoinette.
• Aglaé de Gramont (c. 1787–1842) – French noblewoman and salonnière.
• Aglaé Cadet (c. 1738–1801) – French enamelist and painter.
• Apollonie Sabatier, née Aglaé Joséphine Savatier (c. 1822–1890) – French courtesan, salon holder, and muse.

Aglaé is also related to other forms across cultures: Aglaea is the Latinized spelling, while Aglaya is a Russian variant used in Eastern Europe.

• Meaning: Splendour, beauty
• Origin: Greek, via Late Latin
• Type: Given name
• Usage regions: France (primarily historical/aristocratic)