Edmée

Edmée is the French feminine form of Edmé, a short form of Edmond, ultimately deriving from the Old English name Edmund. The name Edmund is composed of the elements ead "wealth, fortune" and mund "protection," giving the meaning "rich protection."

Etymology and History

The name Edmée originated as a feminization of the French masculine name Edmé, which is a hypocoristic (pet form) of Edmond. Edmond itself is the French and Albanian form of Edmund, a name borne by two Anglo-Saxon kings of England as well as saints, including a 9th-century king of East Anglia who, according to tradition, was martyred by arrows. The root name Edmund remained in use after the Norman Conquest but declined after the 15th century. In France, the masculine Edmé gained popularity, and the feminine Edmée followed as a counterpart.

Usage and Variants

Edmée is used predominantly in French-speaking countries. Its masculine equivalent, Edmé, was historically common, though both have become less frequent in modern times. Related forms include the English short forms Eddie and the Italian feminine Edmonda.

Notable Bearers

While the name Edmée is relatively rare, a few notable women in history have borne it. Edmée Daenen is a Belgian runner (born 1981). In earlier centuries, Edmée was found among French aristocrats and artists, such as the ceramist Edmée Samson (1810–1891), though the line between Edmé and Edmée can be blurry in historical records.

• Meaning: "rich protection" (feminine form of Edmé/Edmund)
• Origin: Old English via French
• Type: First name
• Usage Regions: France, French-speaking countries