"belonging to the Lord, of God"
Origin: Latin (Dominicus)
Language: English
Dominique
Pronunciation: [ d-awm-ihn-EEK ]
Boy Name
#1,486 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
A French classic born from saints and basketball courts
French
Belgian
Haitian
African-American
Francophone African
Sophisticated
Classic
Elegant
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"of the Sabbath, Sunday child"
Origin: Latin (Dominica = Sunday)
Language: French
The Story of Dominique
Dominique is the French form of Dominic, derived from the Latin 'Dominicus' meaning 'belonging to the Lord' or 'of God' — from 'Dominus,' the Latin word for Lord or Master. The name was popularized by Saint Dominic (1170-1221), the Spanish founder of the Dominican Order of friars. In French tradition, Dominique is used for both males and females, making it one of the most common gender-neutral names in the French-speaking world.
Dominique has been popular in France and francophone countries for centuries, particularly after Saint Dominic's canonization in 1234. In the US, it gained visibility through Haitian and French-Caribbean communities and through prominent athletes like Dominique Wilkins. The 1963 Belgian song 'Dominique' by Sœur Sourire (the Singing Nun) became an international hit, spreading the name globally.
Saint Dominic founded the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), one of the Catholic Church's most influential religious orders. The name has particular resonance in France, Haiti, and francophone Africa. The 1963 song 'Dominique' by a Belgian nun reached #1 in the US — one of the few foreign-language songs to top American charts — introducing the name to millions of American families.
Fun Facts
- 'Dominique' by Sœur Sourire (the Singing Nun) hit #1 in the US in 1963, becoming one of the few non-English songs to top American charts
- Dominique is genuinely gender-neutral in French — Saint Dominic's feast day (August 8) is celebrated by both men and women named Dominique
Dominique in Other Languages
Latin
Dominicus
German
Dominik
English
Dominic
Italian
Domenico
Spanish
Domingo
Portuguese
Domingos
Famous People Named Dominique
D
Dominique Wilkins
Athlete
1960
American NBA Hall of Famer known as 'The Human Highlight Film,' nine-time All-Star with the Atlanta Hawks
D
Dominique Strauss-Kahn
Politician
1949
French politician and former Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund
S
Saint Dominic
Religious
1170
Spanish Catholic priest who founded the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) in 1216
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,486
- Total SSA Count
- 122
- Cultural Origins
- French Belgian Haitian African-American Francophone African
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Dom
Nic
Nique
Pairs Well With
Dominique Andre
Dominique Jean
Dominique Louis
Dominique Pierre
Dominique Michel
Dominique Alexander
Dominique James
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Dominique is also used as a girl name, ranked #2541.
View Dominique as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Some Teasing Potential
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dominique
What does the name Dominique mean?
"belonging to the Lord, of God" (from Latin (Dominicus)). "of the Sabbath, Sunday child" (from Latin (Dominica = Sunday)). Dominique is the French form of Dominic, derived from the Latin 'Dominicus' meaning 'belonging to the Lord' or 'of God' — from 'Dominus,' the Latin word for Lord or Master. The name was popularized by Saint Dominic (1170-1221), the Spanish founder of the Dominican Order of friars. In French tradition, Dominique is used for both males and females, making it one of the most common gender-neutral names in the French-speaking world.
What is the origin of the name Dominique?
Dominique has Latin (Dominicus), Latin (Dominica = Sunday), French, Belgian, Haitian, African-American, and Francophone African origins. In Latin (Dominicus), it means "belonging to the Lord, of God". In Latin (Dominica = Sunday), it means "of the Sabbath, Sunday child".
Is Dominique a boy or girl name?
Dominique is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1486. As a girl name, it is ranked #2541. Dominique is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Dominique?
Dominique is pronounced d-awm-ihn-EEK.
How popular is the name Dominique?
Dominique is currently ranked #1486 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dominique?
Common nicknames for Dominique include Dom, Nic, and Nique.
What are good middle names for Dominique?
Popular middle name pairings include Dominique Andre, Dominique Jean, Dominique Louis, Dominique Pierre, Dominique Michel, Dominique Alexander, and Dominique James.
What are good sibling names for Dominique?
Names that pair well with Dominique as siblings include Laurent, Gabrielle, Thierry, Isabelle, Antoine, Nathalie, and Christophe.
How many syllables does Dominique have?
Dominique has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Dominique a common or rare name?
Dominique is an uncommon name, ranked #1486 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Dominique
Dominique is a boy name with French, Belgian, Haitian, African-American, and Francophone African origins . The name means "belonging to the Lord, of God" in Latin (Dominicus) .
Is Dominique a boy or girl name? Dominique is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,486 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,541. Dominique is more commonly used as a boy name.
Dominique is currently ranked #1,486 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Dominique has 3 syllables and is pronounced d-awm-ihn-EEK, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Dominique include Dom, Nic, and Nique. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dominique include Dominic, Dominick, Dominik, Domingo . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.