In the lists of first names that midwives hear in 2026, an old feminine name timidly resurfaces. Long placed in the “grandmother’s first name” box, it reached its peak at the beginning of the 20th century, with nearly 600 little girls born in 1902 according to data from the INSEE First Name File. Then it faded in favor of more modern choices. Its discreet return is intriguing: why does this medieval first name, both gentle and a little solemn, speak to young parents again?
This first name is Clotildean old feminine choice that is returning to the trend for “classic chic” first names. Of Germanic origin, from Chlothildis or Chrodechildis, it combines the ideas of “glory” and “combat”. History remembers Saint Clotilde, queen of the Franks in the 6th century, who played a key role in the conversion of Clovis I to Christianity. According to INSEE data aggregators, Clotilde has been given 27,585 times since 1900, with a peak around 595 births in 1902 and a recent rise.
A discreet return of the first name Clotilde in maternity wards
The series from INSEE first name filedistributed via the ranking tool put online in 2026, clearly show this slight tremor. After 80 births in 2020, 75 in 2021, 60 in 2022 and 70 in 2023, Clotilde reaches 90 little girls in 2024. We remain very far from the level of 1902, but the first name is no longer confidential. INSEE specifies that these numbers are rounded to the multiple of 5, which explains small differences from one site to another.
This movement sticks to the echoes coming from maternity wards: we hear Clotilde from time to time, without it becoming a fashionable first name. With the return of “classic chic” first names, both historical, elegant and a little timeless, Clotilde is placed alongside Louise, Jeanne or Adèle, but remains rarer, a detail which reassures parents concerned with measured originality.
Medieval and royal roots for the first name Clotilde
Clotilde comes from the old Germanic name Chlothildis, sometimes noted Chrodechildis, formed from roots which evoke glory and combat. This mixture of gentle sound and warlike strength gives the first name a slightly medieval aura, which speaks to families attached to European history.
The best-known example remains Saint Clotilde, wife of Clovis I and queen of the Franks. Medieval accounts say she convinced her husband to adopt Christianity, a founding event for the French monarchy. Clotilde’s birthday falls on June 4, a detail that some future parents appreciate.
Why parents are rediscovering Clotilde in 2026
For many couples, Clotilde ticks several boxes at once. The first name sounds sweet, is easily pronounced and remains immediately understandable, while being little used in the current generation. It offers this mix of tradition, originality and sobriety that many young parents are looking for.