On the lists of birth names, an old classic from the 80s and 90s resurfaces. THE retro first names
come back thanks to nostalgia, but also to highly publicized events such as the
Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A French swimmer, flag bearer and medalist in the 50m freestyle, brought back into the spotlight a male first name that we hardly heard anymore in maternity wards.
This first name is Florence. Of Latin origin, derived from the word “florens” which means “flourishing” according to Wikipedia, it also refers to the Roman goddess of spring Flora. INSEE data show that the
first name Florent saw a peak of around 3,950 births around 1989 before declining, making it a perfect candidate for a quiet comeback.
Why the first name Florent appeals again after the Olympics
The journey of Florent Manaudou plays a key role in this spotlight. The French freestyle swimmer won a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle at the 2024 Olympic Games and carried the tricolor during the opening ceremony. Its visibility reminded an entire generation of viewers of this first name.
At the same time, INSEE observes in its recent studies an increase in vintage first nameschosen one or two generations after their golden age. Parents born in the late 1980s remember classmates called Florent at school. For them, this first name sounds familiar and reassuring, while remaining much less common than current stars like Gabriel or Noah.
Meaning and history of the first name Florent
THE first name Florent comes from the Latin “florens” and “Florentius”, words linked to the idea of being “in flower” or “flourishing” according to Wikipedia. Its more poetic dimension, with the reference to Flora, the Roman goddess of spring, makes it a luminous first name, associated with life starting again and a very French form of classic sweetness.
The history of the first name goes back well before the 1980s. Saint Florent lived between the end of the 4th and the beginning of the 5th century and he was the first bishop of the cathedral of Cahors, an important figure in evangelization. For some parents, this old connection brings a little extra cultural depth.
Popularity of the first name Florent: what the INSEE figures show
According to civil registration data published by INSEE and taken up by specialized sites, the first name Florent reached its peak around 1989 with nearly 3,950 births, before a sharp decline in the 2000s. Today in France, it is still quite popular among parents of newborns, even if its popularity is clearly in decline.
The first name has therefore not returned to the level of the great years, but it is regaining visibility in discussions among future parents, carried by the aura of Florent Manaudou and by the wave of vintage first names. Pay attention to the sequence between Florent and the last name, in order to avoid repetitive sounds and to let this short first name breathe well.