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Ondine
Pronounced on-DEEN /ɒnˈdiːn/Medium
Meaning: The French form of Undine, from the Latin unda, 'wave' — so 'little wave; water-spirit'. Undine is the water-nymph of European folklore, given literary form by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque and later by Giraudoux's play Ondine. In the tales she gains a soul by marrying a mortal, and the story ends unhappily; we note that honestly.Medium
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
Ondine is the French form of Undine, from the Latin unda, 'wave'. Undine is the water-spirit of European folklore, drawn from Paracelsus's writings on the elemental spirits and made famous by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque's novella and, in the twentieth century, by Giraudoux's play Ondine. In the tales she gains a human soul through marriage to a mortal, and the story turns tragic — a real part of the name's freight, which we note rather than smooth away. Liquid, literary, and haunting (said 'on-DEEN').
In the U.S. it appears only very rarely. Very rare, literary, and watery.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Ondine mean?
Ondine means 'little wave', from the Latin unda. It is the French form of Undine, the water-nymph of European folklore; her story is a tragic one, which we note.
How do you pronounce Ondine?
It's said on-DEEN /ɒnˈdiːn/ — two syllables, stress on the second.
Is Ondine a boy or girl name?
Ondine is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Ondine?
Ondine is a very rare name for girls in the U.S.