"oarsman"
Remi
Pronunciation: [ r-EHM-ee ]
A French saint's name with effortless modern cool
Meaning & Origin
"remedy, cure (folk etymology)"
The Story of Remi
Remi is the French form of the Latin Remigius, derived from 'remex' meaning 'oarsman' or 'one who rows,' connected to the Latin 'remus' (oar). The name gained prominence through Saint Remigius (also known as Saint Remi), the 5th-century Bishop of Reims who baptized Clovis I, the first Frankish king to convert to Christianity — an event that shaped the entire Catholic identity of France.
Remi has been climbing American baby name charts since 2010, riding the wave of French-inspired names that feel cosmopolitan yet approachable. As a boy's name, it sits alongside Hugo, Felix, and Luca as names with European sophistication that work easily in American culture. The Pixar film Ratatouille (2007), featuring the rat chef Rémy, gave the name a significant cultural boost.
In France, the feast day of Saint Remi (October 1) has been celebrated for over 1,500 years, and the name has deep roots in French Catholic culture. The Cathedral of Reims, where French kings were traditionally crowned, takes its name from Saint Remi. The baptism of Clovis by Remi is considered one of the foundational moments of French national identity.
Fun Facts
- Saint Remi baptized Clovis I in 496 CE, converting the Franks to Christianity and fundamentally shaping European history
- Rémy Martin cognac brand, founded in 1724, is named after its founder Rémy Martin — making Remi/Rémy strongly associated with French luxury
- Remi (spelled Rémy) is the name of the aspiring rat chef protagonist in Pixar's Ratatouille (2007), helping popularize the name in English-speaking countries
Remi in Other Languages
Famous People Named Remi
Remi Wolf
Musician
1996
American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for his eclectic genre-blending pop music
Saint Remigius (Remi)
Religious
5th-century Bishop of Reims who baptized Clovis I, first Frankish king to convert to Christianity, shaping the Catholic ...
5th-century Bishop of Reims who baptized Clovis I, first Frankish king to convert to Christianity, shaping the Catholic history of France; feast day October 1
Rémy (Ratatouille) Fictional
Other
The talented young rat who dreams of becoming a chef in Paris in Pixar's beloved 2007 film Ratatouille, voiced by Patton...
The talented young rat who dreams of becoming a chef in Paris in Pixar's beloved 2007 film Ratatouille, voiced by Patton Oswalt
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #808
- Total SSA Count
- 310
- Cultural Origins
- French American Belgian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Remi is also used as a girl name, ranked #146.
View Remi as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Remi
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About the Name Remi
Remi is a boy name with French, American, and Belgian origins . The name means "oarsman" in Latin .
Is Remi a boy or girl name? Remi is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #808 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #146. Remi is more commonly used as a girl name.
Remi is currently ranked #808 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Remi has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-EHM-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Remi include Rem. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Remi include Remington, Remy, Remmy, Remiel . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.