Genevieve

Geneviѐve is a French name with either Germanic or Celtic roots. An earlier version of the name, Genovefa, is said to come from the Germanic elements “keno” meaning ‘kin’ and “wefa” meaning ‘wife’. Alternatively, Geneviѐve is probably a heavily mutated word from the Gaulish (early variety of Celtic) language elements meaning ‘people, tribe’ and ‘woman’. Her name has been time-honored in France thanks to St. Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, whose story begins in the 5th century. Geneviѐve was born into a Gallo-Roman family of means in a town (Nanterre) about eight miles west of Paris. In her early youth she dedicated herself to Christianity, became a nun and moved to Paris. She did much to protect the well-being of the Parisian people. During the occupation by the Franks under King Childeric (a pagan), Geneviѐve was instrumental in persuading the king to grant clemency to prisoners and provide provisions to her people. When it was learned that Attila the Hun and his army were marching toward Paris, the city prepared for evacuation. Geneviѐve convinced the Parisians to stay through her pious example of fasting and prayer, assuring the people of God’s protection and deliverance. Apparently it worked because the Huns abruptly changed their course and headed instead for Orléans. Geneviѐve is therefore credited with saving Paris. The English did not pick up the name until the 19th century and today it’s ranked higher in the United States than it is France.