Diane

Meaning

Diane is the French form of Diana. In the excerpted naming tradition, it is treated as the name of the classical goddess Diana, so its core sense is mythological rather than descriptive: the name points to the Roman goddess associated with the hunt and moon. The excerpt also notes that Diane became fashionable in France before spreading into English use.

Origin

Fun fact

The excerpt ties Diane’s popularity in France to Diane de Poitiers, which helped the name spread into English court fashion too.