MARIE EUGENE

(French) form of Maria. When first introduced to England in the Middle Ages, it was Anglicized in pronunciation and respelled Mary. This French form was reintroduced into the English-speaking world as a separate name in the 19th century, and is still pronounced more or less in the French manner, although sometimes with the stress on the first syllable. It is now often used in combination with other names such as Ellie, Chloe, and Lisa.

French (Eugène): from the personal name Eugène (Latin Eugenius, from Greek Eugenios meaning ‘well-born’, ‘noble’). This was borne by a 3rd-century bishop and martyr, who gave the personal name some currency during the Middle Ages. In some cases it may also represent an Americanized form of a Greek patronymic family name of this origin, for example Eugeniadis or Eugenidis.