"fountain, spring of water"
Origin: French
Language: French
Fontaine
Pronunciation: [ f-awnt-AYN ]
Does Fontaine flow with your last name?
A flowing French name with literary legacy
French
English
American
Sophisticated
Elegant
Literary
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Fontaine
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"source, wellspring"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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The Story of Fontaine
Fontaine comes from the Old French word 'fontaine' and Latin 'fontana,' meaning a spring or fountain. It was a topographic surname in medieval France given to people who lived near a spring or fountain, and over centuries transitioned into use as both a surname and first name in French and English-speaking cultures.
Fontaine as a given name has always been rare, carried primarily as a family surname passed down as a first name. It gained some literary cachet through the 17th century French fabulist Jean de La Fontaine, whose famous fables are still studied in French schools.
In French culture, La Fontaine refers almost immediately to Jean de La Fontaine, the beloved poet and fabulist who wrote iconic retellings of Aesop's fables. The name carries an air of French intellectual heritage.
Historical Record
Fontaine first appeared in US Social Security records in 1952.
Over 169 babies have been named Fontaine in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Fontaine is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #16,587 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) is one of the most celebrated French poets, known for his Fables
- Fontaine is both a French surname and a common place name across France and French-speaking regions
Fontaine in Other Languages
French
Fontaine
German
Fontaine
Italian
Fontana
Spanish
Fuente
Portuguese
Fontaine
Popularity Over Time
#16,587
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Fontaine
F
Frank Fontaine
Entertainer
1920
American comedian and singer known for the Jackie Gleason Show
J
Jean de La Fontaine
Writer
1621
French poet famous for his Fables, witty verse retellings of Aesop that remain classics of French literature
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Compare Fontaine with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #16,587
- Total SSA Count
- 7
- Cultural Origins
- French English American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Fonty
Fon
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Fontaine
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Fontaine is also used as a girl name, ranked #67754.
View Fontaine as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (French)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Fontaine
What does the name Fontaine mean?
"fountain, spring of water" (from French). "source, wellspring" (from Latin). Fontaine comes from the Old French word 'fontaine' and Latin 'fontana,' meaning a spring or fountain. It was a topographic surname in medieval France given to people who lived near a spring or fountain, and over centuries transitioned into use as both a surname and first name in French and English-speaking cultures.
What is the origin of the name Fontaine?
Fontaine has French, Latin, English, and American origins. In French, it means "fountain, spring of water". In Latin, it means "source, wellspring".
Is Fontaine a boy or girl name?
Fontaine is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #16587. As a girl name, it is ranked #67754. Fontaine is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Fontaine?
Fontaine is pronounced f-awnt-AYN.
How popular is the name Fontaine?
Fontaine is currently ranked #16587 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Fontaine?
Common nicknames for Fontaine include Fonty and Fon.
What are good middle names for Fontaine?
Popular middle name pairings include Fontaine James, Fontaine Louis, Fontaine Pierre, Fontaine Henri, Fontaine Charles, Fontaine Martin, and Fontaine Rene.
What are good sibling names for Fontaine?
Names that pair well with Fontaine as siblings include Beaumont, Montague, Celeste, Isabelle, Laurent, Colette, and Remy.
How many syllables does Fontaine have?
Fontaine has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Fontaine a common or rare name?
Fontaine is an uncommon name, ranked #16587 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Fontaine
Fontaine is a boy name with French, English, and American origins . The name means "fountain, spring of water" in French .
Is Fontaine a boy or girl name? Fontaine is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #16,587 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #67,754. Fontaine is more commonly used as a boy name.
Fontaine is currently ranked #16,587 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Fontaine has 2 syllables and is pronounced f-awnt-AYN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Fontaine include Fonty and Fon. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis