Gaétan

Gaëtan is a French masculine given name. It is the French form of the Italian name Gaetano, which derives from the Latin Gaetanus and means “from Gaeta,” a city in central Italy. The name is associated with Saint Cajetan (Gaetano da Thiene) in Catholic tradition, a factor that has helped sustain its use in Francophone communities. The feminine form Gaëtane also exists and is used in French.

Usage and distribution patterns show Gaëtan as most common in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada (notably Quebec). It has medieval roots but experienced renewed popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries; it remains in use today, though it is less common among new-borns in some regions.

Pronunciation in French is roughly ge-tan, with the final vowel nasalized: [ɡe.tɑ̃]. Variants exist in other languages, such as Gaetano in Italian. The feminine form Gaëtane is used for girls in French-speaking communities.

Notable bearers include Gaëtan Roussel, a French singer and musician known for leading the rock band Louise Attaque. The name appears across various fields in Francophone countries, including arts, sports, and public life, reflecting its enduring presence in French naming traditions.