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In the 19th century novel "The Awakening", by Kate Chopin, there's a man named Alcee. I think he's of French creole descent. Does anyone know what the name means? TIA.
BTW, I looked up Alcee on google, and numerous baby name sites say it's an Italian feminine name, short for Alcine. I doubt that's where the male name came from, though.
BTW, I looked up Alcee on google, and numerous baby name sites say it's an Italian feminine name, short for Alcine. I doubt that's where the male name came from, though.
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Replies
In France and French Colonial America the correct spelling of the name is Alcée. Probably the most famous example is Alcée Fortier (1856-1914), a renowned professor of Romance Languages at Tulane University. He was of Louisiana Creole origin (not Cajun) and wrote books on Louisiana history, Creole Culture and folklore. See the Wikipedia article under his name.
Kate Chopin wrote many stories and novels set in New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou country, but she was from St. Louis and writing for an English speaking audience, so perhaps didn't always use the French spellings. But according to the Wikipedia article on The Awakening (Chopin Novel) the main character Edna "begins a dalliance with Alcée Arobin".
In answer to your question the name derives from the Ancient Greek "alke (ἀλκὴ) Alkaíos (Αλκαίος)”, meaning “strength, courage, protection".
To see the whole story go to www.name-doctor.com and type Alcee in the search window (don't need the accent marks) and it brings up
Alcée, Male, French
and click on the name.
Kate Chopin wrote many stories and novels set in New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou country, but she was from St. Louis and writing for an English speaking audience, so perhaps didn't always use the French spellings. But according to the Wikipedia article on The Awakening (Chopin Novel) the main character Edna "begins a dalliance with Alcée Arobin".
In answer to your question the name derives from the Ancient Greek "alke (ἀλκὴ) Alkaíos (Αλκαίος)”, meaning “strength, courage, protection".
To see the whole story go to www.name-doctor.com and type Alcee in the search window (don't need the accent marks) and it brings up
Alcée, Male, French
and click on the name.
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