Arsène

Arsène is a masculine given name of French origin. It is the French form of Arsenius, which in turn derives from the Greek Arsenios, meaning “manly” or “virile.” The name has appeared since the Middle Ages and remains in use in French-speaking regions, often in literary, religious, or historical contexts.

Etymologically, Arsène comes from the Greek root associated with masculinity and strength, and it has been transmitted through Latin and Christian naming traditions. In modern French, the pronunciation is typically roughly followed by French phonology, and the name has produced occasional diminutives and variants in related languages, such as Arsenio in Spanish and Italian contexts.

The name Arsène has been borne by a number of notable individuals and characters. Arsène Wenger, born in 1949, is a French football manager best known for his long tenure with Arsenal Football Club. Arsène Lupin is a fictional character, a gentleman thief created by Maurice Leblanc, who first appeared in 1905 and has since become a staple of French popular culture. Arsène Tchakarian (1913–2011) was a French resistance fighter of Armenian descent and a member of the FTP-MOI. Arsène Houssaye (1815–1896) was a French writer, poet, and painter associated with 19th-century literature.

Today, Arsène remains a recognized though not overly common given name in French-speaking communities and sometimes appears in cultural works, literature, and media as a classic or historical-name reference.