Constance

Constance is a female given name of Latin origin, derived from Constantia, meaning steadfastness or constancy. The form Constance is common in English, while variants include Constanza (Spanish, Portuguese, Italian), Constanze (German), Constantia (Latin) and Konstanze (German transliteration). The name has appeared in Christian traditions, with saints named Constantia in early hagiography.

In literature and culture, Constance appears as a given name for various characters and figures. Notably, Constance is a character in Shakespeare’s King John, where she is the mother of Arthur. The name has remained in use across different cultures and continues to be given to girls in modern times, sometimes reflecting family or cultural heritage.

Geographically, Constance is associated with Lake Constance, also known as Bodensee, the large freshwater lake bordered by Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The German city of Konstanz lies on the lake’s northern shore, and the English-name lake derives from that city’s name. The term Constance appears in placenames and historical references connected to this region.

Overall, Constance is primarily recognized as a given name with historical, literary and geographic associations. Its variants reflect a broad linguistic footprint, and its meanings center on constancy and steadiness.