Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Clementine

Clémentine is a French female name derived from the Latin “clemens” meaning “mild, placid, gentle, calm, merciful” (from where the English language gets the word “clemency” – i.e., showing mercy or forgiveness). Clémentine is the female equivalent of the French Clément, and Clementine without the accent is the English version. The French pronounce the name as klə-mawn-TEEN while the English say KLEHM-әn-tiyn. It was the Norman-French who introduced the name to Anglo-Saxons after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Both Clement (Clemens) and Clementine were already common names throughout medieval Christianized Europe, as evidenced by fourteen different popes who bore the name. The popes all fashioned themselves after Pope Clements I who was the fourth pope to serve the Church in the first century B.C. (only about 60 years after the death of Christ). This was also centuries before the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as its state religion. Clements I is also one of the five Apostolic Fathers of the Church, so it’s no wonder so many subsequent popes took his name (the only names that claim more popes are John, Benedict and Gregory). In other words, Clement and Clementine are not only ancient names, but they are hugely significant for Roman Catholics. It is therefore not surprising that Clementine ceased being used in England after the Protestant Reformation (when Christian reformers became highly dissatisfied with the Catholic Church). Today Clementine is almost a Top 100 favorite in France, and it does moderately well in England and Australia, too.

All About the Baby Name – Clementine

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME CLEMENTINE

The number one personality is a leader - strong and competitive. They are willing to initiate action and take risks. One personalities work hard toward their endeavors and have the ability to apply their creative and innovative thinking skills with strong determination. They believe in their ability to succeed and are too stubborn to be hindered by obstacles. Ones meet obstacles head-on with such mental vigor and energy that you better step aside. They resent taking orders, so don't try telling them what to do either. This is an intensely active personality, but they are also known as starters rather than finishers. They have a propensity to become bored and will move quickly to the next project if not properly challenged.  They are the ones to think up and put into action new and brilliant ideas, but they are not the ones to stick around and manage them. This personality has an enthusiastic and pioneering spirit. They are distinctly original.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME CLEMENTINE

Oh my darlin’, oh my darlin’, oh my DARRRRlin’ this name is cute. Clementine does have a history of usage in the United States dating back to the 19th century, although it was never a high ranking choice. In fact, 1953 marks the last year this name would claim Top 1000 status. Today Clementine is given to about 200 baby girls per year, which means it’s generally off the American radar, despite the fact that several celebrities have chosen this delightful name for their own daughters: Claudia Schiffer, Ethan Hawke and Rachel Griffiths, for instance. Whenever people hear this name, one thing immediately comes to mind: the California Gold Rush folk song “Oh My Darling, Clementine” (believed to have been written by Percy Montrose in 1884). A silly, little ditty with a catchy tune, the song’s chores repeats: “Oh my darling, oh my darling, / Oh my darling, Clementine! / Thou art lost and gone forever / Dreadful sorry, Clementine.” For Americans at least, the name Clementine is indelibly linked to “my darlin’” (and what exactly is wrong with that?!?). It was also the name of a free-spirited character in the 2004 film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”. Like the character played by Kate Winslet, Clementine is a true original. Clem or Clemmy are common nicknames.

Quick Facts

ON CLEMENTINE

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

French

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

N/A

PRONUNCIATION:

KLEHM-әn-tiyn

SIMPLE MEANING:

Gentle, merciful

Characteristics

OF CLEMENTINE

Independent

Individualistic

Ambitious

Strong-willed

Inventive

Successful

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Clementine

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME CLEMENTINE

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Clementine

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME CLEMENTINE

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Clementine


Popular Songs

ON CLEMENTINE

Clementine
a song by Jan and Dean

Oh My Darling Clementine
a classic American folk song

Famous People

NAMED CLEMENTINE

Clementine Hunter (African-American artist)
Clementine Churchill (wife of Winston Churchill)
Clémentine Célarié (French actress)
Clementine Ford (actress)
Princess Clémentine of Orléans (19th century royalty)

Children of Famous People

NAMED CLEMENTINE

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Clementine

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME CLEMENTINE

Clementine Hunter was an important African-American folk artist/painter. Born in Louisiana just a couple decades after the Civil War, Clementine Hunter was the granddaughter of slaves. She grew up living and working on a plantation herself (Melrose Plantation), at first picking cotton before being called up to “The Big House” to do domestic chores. The plantation owner offered the main house to artists from New Orleans as a retreat. It was from these artists where Hunter found her inspiration (and her tools). Illiterate and uneducated, Clementine Hunter had a god-given, self-taught talent. She would take the discarded paints and brushes left by the visiting artists and “mark” her first picture on a window shade in her tiny cabin. Her works depicted early 20th century plantation life; the community of African-Americans who worked and lived together picking cotton, going to church, attending baptisms and such. Over 5,000 pieces have been attributed to her.