Meaning & History
Jocelyne is a French feminine given name, representing a spelling variant of Joceline. It is derived as the feminine form of Jocelyn, a name with a rich medieval history.
Etymology
The ultimate origin of Jocelyne lies in the Frankish masculine name Gautselin or Gauzlin, which combines the Germanic element gautaz, referring to the Geat tribe, with a Latin diminutive suffix. The Normans introduced the name to England as Goscelin or Joscelin, where it was common until the 14th century. In France, Jocelyn has traditionally been masculine, while feminine forms like Jocelyne and Joceline arose to name female bearers.
Notable Bearers
Notable women named Jocelyne include Jocelyne (singer) (1951–1972), a French singer of the Yé-yé period; Jocelyne Bloch, a Swiss neurosurgeon; Jocelyne Couture-Nowak (1958–2007), a Canadian victim of the Virginia Tech shootings; Jocelyne Jocya (1942–2003), a French singer and children's rights advocate; Jocelyne LaGarde (1924–1979), a Tahitian actor who won a Golden Globe; Jocelyne Larocque (born 1988), a Canadian ice hockey player; and Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau (c. 1956–2019), the 31st Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick.
Variants and Usage
Variant spellings include Joseline and Joselyne. In English-speaking countries, the name often appears as Jocelyn or Joslyn, sometimes used for both genders.
- Meaning: Diminutive of Gautselin, from Germanic gautaz
- Origin: French feminine form of Jocelyn
- Type: First name
- Usage regions: French-speaking countries, English-speaking world
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Jocelyne