Jadis

♀ Girl

Pronounced JAY-dis /ˈdʒeɪ.dɪs/Medium

Meaning: Jadis is the French adverb jadis, 'formerly, long ago, of old'. C. S. Lewis gave the name to the White Witch of Narnia — and it is only fair to say plainly that Jadis is the villain of those books, the queen who makes it always winter and never Christmas.Medium

In 30 seconds: French for 'formerly; of old' — and the name of Narnia's White Witch, who is the villain of the story (said 'JAY-dis').

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Origin MediumFrench, English

MeaningJadis is the French adverb jadis, 'formerly, long ago, of old'. C. S. Lewis gave the name to the White Witch of Narnia — and it is only fair to say plainly that Jadis is the villain of those books, the queen who makes it always winter and never Christmas.

U.S. rank (2024)#14130 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2007

Total births (all-time)≈ 214

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Jadis is a French adverb meaning 'formerly, in days gone by'. Its fame in English comes from C. S. Lewis, who named the White Witch of Narnia Jadis — the sorceress who freezes the land and, in the books, is unambiguously the antagonist. That association is strong, and we state it neutrally rather than skirt it (said 'JAY-dis').

It is very rare for girls in the U.S. Literary, wintry, and heavy with story.

Did you know? Jadis means 'of old' in French, a word full of vanished time. C. S. Lewis chose it for the White Witch of Narnia — the queen of endless winter. She is the villain, and we say so plainly so families know what the name carries.

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Jadis — French jadis, 'formerly'; C. S. Lewis, the White Witch of Narnia (villain)

Variations

JadysJadissJade

Nicknames

JadeJayDis

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jadis mean?

Jadis is French for 'formerly; of old'. It is also the name of the White Witch of Narnia, who is the villain of those books.

How do you pronounce Jadis?

It's said JAY-dis /ˈdʒeɪ.dɪs/ — two syllables, stress on the first. In French it sounds closer to zhah-DEE.

Is Jadis a boy or girl name?

Jadis is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Jadis?

Jadis is a very rare name for girls in the U.S.