Marne

Meaning of Marne

Marne is a feminine given name of French origin, deriving directly from the Marne River that winds through northeastern France. Its etymology likely traces back to the Latin Matrona or earlier Celtic roots meaning “river mother,” lending the name a quietly elemental resonance. In French it is pronounced /maʁn/, while in English speakers most often render it as /mɑːrn/. Although it never achieved widespread popularity—among California newborn girls it appeared sporadically in the late 1960s and early 1970s (for example, seven births in 1968, rank 305, and peaking at rank 294 with five births in 1972)—Marne retains a distinctive clarity. The name also carries historical weight through its association with the First and Second Battles of the Marne during World War I, offering an understated link to both geography and history.