Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Hortense

Hortense

♀ Girl

Pronounced hor-TENSS /hɔːrˈtɛns/Medium

Meaning: A French name from the Latin Hortensia, a Roman clan name derived from 'hortus,' 'garden.' Dignified and old-world; borne by Hortense de Beauharnais, a queen of Holland and mother of Napoleon III.Low

In 30 seconds: A stately old name: Hortense means 'of the garden' (Latin), said 'hor-TENSS.' Vintage and dignified.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumFrench, Latin
MeaningA French name from the Latin Hortensia, a Roman clan name derived from 'hortus,' 'garden.' Dignified and old-world; borne by Hortense de Beauharnais, a queen of Holland and mother of Napoleon III.
U.S. rank (1976)#8509 ↗ Rising
1976 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1919
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,313

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191918801976

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Hortense comes through French from the Latin Hortensia, a Roman clan name from 'hortus,' 'garden.' Borne by Hortense de Beauharnais, mother of Napoleon III, it carried an old-world air; in America it peaked in 1919 and faded after (said 'hor-TENSS').

Hortense belonged to the early-century generation and is rare today. Rare, dignified, and vintage.

Did you know? Hortense, the Latin 'of the garden,' peaked around 1919 and has faded to rarity since.
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Hortense — French from Latin Hortensia; 'hortus' 'garden'

Variations

HortensiaHortencia

Nicknames

TensyHortie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Hortense…

Clementine— a like old-world name
Augustine— a like Latin-rooted pick
Cornelia— a like Roman-clan name
Charisse— another French name
Cherise— another vintage pick

Explore names like Hortense

By themevintagedignified1910slatin-rooted

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Hortense mean?

Hortense is a French name from the Latin Hortensia, from 'hortus,' meaning 'garden.'

How do you pronounce Hortense?

It's said hor-TENSS /hɔːrˈtɛns/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Hortense a boy or girl name?

Hortense is used here as a girl's name.

How popular is Hortense?

Hortense peaked in the nineteen-tens and is rare today.

💬 Ask Nia