Renee

♀ Girl

Pronounced reh-NAY /rəˈneɪ/High

Meaning: Reborn; French feminine form of René, from Latin renatus (born again)High

In 30 seconds: The French feminine form of René meaning 'reborn,' from the Latin renatus. It was fashionable in the U.S. from the 1940s through the 1980s and carries a quietly chic, Franco-American elegance.

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Origin HighFrench, Latin

MeaningReborn; French feminine form of René, from Latin renatus (born again)

U.S. rank (2025)#1099 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births218 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1962

Total births (all-time)≈ 185,891

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

Renee is the French feminine form of René, derived from the Latin renatus (born again), the past participle of renasci (to be reborn). The name has strong Christian resonance, referring to spiritual rebirth through baptism.

Renee was popular in the U.S. from the 1940s through the 1980s, reaching the top 50 in the 1960s. It has declined since then, ranking #1048 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? René Descartes (1596–1650), the philosopher who gave us 'I think, therefore I am,' bears the masculine form of this name — giving Renee an accidental philosophical pedigree alongside its spiritual meaning of rebirth.

Overall data confidence 96%

Behind the Name — Renee — French/Latin etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

RenéeRenaeRenea

Nicknames

RenRenny

Famous Bearers

★Renée Zellweger (1969–present)
American actress, Academy Award winner for Judy (2019) and Cold Mountain (2003). Uses the accented Renée spelling.

If you like Renee…

Elise— French feminine name with the same crisp, chic Gallic feel

Colette— French classic from the same mid-century era

Brigitte— French feminine name popular in the same 1960s–70s period

Danielle— French -elle feminine name from the same generation

Claire— French one-syllable name with the same understated elegance

Explore names like Renee

By themelatin classic french christian mid-century rebirth

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Renee mean?

Renee means 'reborn,' as the French feminine form of René, from Latin renatus (born again). It has Christian baptismal resonance.

How do you pronounce Renee?

It's said reh-NAY — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Renee a boy or girl name?

Renee is the feminine form; René is masculine.

How popular is Renee?

Renee ranked #1048 for U.S. girls in 2024.