This mixed first name is growing rapidly among future parents (it ranks No. 1 among girls)

According to the authors of the book L’Officiel des Prénoms (First Editions), more parents today are choosing mixed first names for their children. In “Sociology of first names”, sociologist Baptiste Coulmont confirms this trend. He also emphasizes that the number of men with these first names is close to that of women. A great example of parity!

Discover the first name that ranks No. 1 among mixed first names for girls.

Eden, a first name steeped in history

The etymology of the first name Eden is not unanimous. It could mean “delights” in Hebrew, “fruitful” in Aramaic, and “plain” or “steppe” in Akkadian. But in Genesis, the Garden of Eden is unequivocally the Garden of Delights. A place planted by God himself, in which Adam and Eve, the first couple of humanity, lived. This marvelous garden evokes the notion of an earthly paradise.

Used by English Puritans in the 17th century, Eden appeared for the first time in France in 1977. This first name was then exclusively masculine, but it very quickly changed gender, to the point that 85% of children born under this name in 2002 were girls. This does not prevent it from surprising us again, in 2011, in the midst of a growth spurt, the male form regains the advantage and propels Éden towards the top 20 nationally. One might wonder how long this first name will remain mixed. In the meantime, it remains a very popular first name.

Outside of France, Éden has made a breakthrough in the Swiss and Walloon men’s tables. It is in the feminine that it quivers in English-speaking countries. Eden is the title of a manga by Hiroki Endo and a comic strip by Maret and Cabrera, works published in the 2000s. In 1999, Vince also published a comic strip with this title. In another register, Éden is the name chosen by Étienne Daho to title his album released in 1996 (idea taken up by the group Fawn in 2011). In the 1950s, East of Edenthe novel by John Steinbeck from which Elia Kazan made a film, ensured literary posterity for this first name.

A rapidly growing first name

Eden is the 71st most given male first name in France since 2000. It is given to nearly one in 140 boys today. For women, Éden should name one girl in 1,030 this year. In 2024, Éden should be listed as masculine in 91% of its responsibilities in France.

Would characterology be part of the success of this first name? Indeed, we attribute to the little Edens innovation, energy, autonomy, ambition and authority. Children who don’t give up their place and who know how to lead their boat! We celebrate Eden on November 1st.

Slide: Mixed first names