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Quentin

♂ Boy

Pronounced KWEN-tin /ˈkwɛn.tɪn/High

Meaning: From Latin Quintinus, a diminutive of Quintus meaning fifth, originally given to a fifth child or born in the fifth month; the name spread through the veneration of Saint Quentin of AmiensHigh

In 30 seconds: Quentin is an elegant Latin name meaning fifth with a distinctly French flair. From Saint Quentin to director Quentin Tarantino, it carries intellectual and artistic prestige alongside its rare Q-initial distinction.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningFrom Latin Quintinus, a diminutive of Quintus meaning fifth, originally given to a fifth child or born in the fifth month; the name spread through the veneration of Saint Quentin of Amiens
U.S. rank (2025)#968 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births238 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1998
Total births (all-time)≈ 43,464

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199819002025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Quintus was a common Roman given name for a fifth son. Through the French martyr Saint Quentin (died c. 287), the name spread through medieval France and England as Quentin. It has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.

Quentin has maintained steady use in the English-speaking world, associated with literary figures like Sir Walter Scott's novel Quentin Durward (1823) and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, who gave the name a bold, creative modern identity.

Did you know? Saint-Quentin, a city in northern France, was named after Saint Quentin of Amiens, a 3rd-century Roman Christian missionary martyred there. The city gave its name to one of the bloodiest battles of World War I, the Battle of St Quentin (1918).
Overall data confidence 96%
Behind the Name — Quentin — Latin etymology and French historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

QuintinQuintonQuinten

Nicknames

QuentQuinn

Famous Bearers

  • ★Quentin Tarantino (1963–present)
    American filmmaker known for stylized, nonlinear narratives and genre-blending films including Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, and Django Unchained. He has won two Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay.

If you like Quentin…

Quinton— closest variant sharing the Latin fifth meaning and Q-initial distinction
Tristan— shares the French romantic medieval feel and distinguished two-syllable form
Damien— same French Catholic saint tradition and sophisticated two-syllable character
Julian— shares the Latin ordinal origin and the French-inflected English classic appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Quentin mean?

Quentin means fifth from Latin Quintus, originally given to fifth-born children. It spread as a given name through the veneration of Saint Quentin of Amiens.

How do you pronounce Quentin?

It is said KWEN-tin, with two syllables and stress on the first.

Is Quentin a French name?

Quentin has strong French associations through Saint Quentin and the French city of Saint-Quentin, though it derives from Latin Quintinus.

Is Quentin a popular name?

Quentin has been in steady use in the United States and France. Director Quentin Tarantino has given the name an artistic, bold identity.