Among the most given first names in 2024, a new addition should greatly appeal to young parents. This is a mythical hero name, very famous and trendy a century ago.
In 2024, the trend is towards old first names. More and more parents are indeed seduced by the charm and character of certain totally outdated names. Back in the spotlight when we thought they were out of fashion, they are a hit in France! For girls and boys, retro is definitely in order, as confirmed by the popularity of this grandmother’s first name and this grandfather’s first name, very trendy in the 1900s, but also of this old queen’s first name, this original first name taken from the Old Testament or even this old romantic first name.
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The latter, another very old first name, worn by a mythical demigod, has once again become very popular with young parents. As revealed The Official First Names, it is already part of the top 100 most given male first names in France and could still skyrocket in the ranking. This is Achilles. Growing strongly, it should be worn by more than 11,000 boys in 2024 and could soon end up on the podium of the most given male names in France.
What is the origin of the first name Achille?
Achilles comes from the Greek Achileos, which means “who has beautiful lips”. It takes its origin from the demigod of the same name, very famous in Greek mythology. Son of Peleus, king of Phthia in Thessaly, and of Thetis, a Nereid (sea nymph), he is the legendary hero of The Iliad, by Homer. He would have been immersed by his mother in the Styx, the river of the gods, in order to make him immortal and invintable. His entire body was bathed there, with the exception of his heel, by which Thetis held him.
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During the Trojan War, his heel, the only vulnerable part of his body, was pierced by an arrow which was fatal. It is from this myth that the famous expression “Achilles heel” comes from, known and used to designate a person’s weak point.
Is the first name Achille common?
The first name Achille has been given to a large number of famous people throughout history, from Antiquity to the 20th century, such as the king of Argos Achille, the writer Achille Tatius, the poet Achille Chavée, the clown, trumpeter and actor Achille Zavatta and the botanist Achille Richard.
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In Europe, it enjoyed great success at the beginning of the 20th century. It was particularly widespread in France in the 1900s. After the Second World War, the popularity of this first name diminished before starting to rise again, little by little, since the 1990s. But it really started in 2010. that the resurgence of popularity is confirmed, with a strong acceleration in 2017 and a peak in attribution in 2022.
What is the character of the first name Achille?
Achilles are generally strong and persevering people, endowed with courage and daring. They are not afraid of challenges and know how to keep their cool in all circumstances. Ambitious and insightful, they know how to take risks and find solutions quickly. They are also loyal and faithful individuals, who will never betray those close to them.
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Behind their armor, the Achilles are also great sentimentalists. With a highly developed sense of responsibility and justice, they are trustworthy and respectful. They are capable of achieving great things and fighting, especially for the people they love. Family and friends, to whom they provide unfailing devotion, are extremely important to them.
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