Hortense

Hortense is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the Latin name Hortensius or from the Latin adjective hortensis, meaning “of the garden.” The name has appeared in various European languages and has historical associations in French-speaking regions.

Notable bearers include Hortense Mancini (1646–1699), a member of the Mancini sisters who rose to prominence at the court of Charles II of England and supported the arts, and Hortense de Beauharnais (1783–1837), wife of Louis Bonaparte, king of Holland, and mother of Napoleon III.

Geography also bears the name: Hortense, Georgia, is a small city in Brantley County, United States.

Variations of the name include Hortensia, used in Latin and several Romance languages. In contemporary usage, Hortense is relatively uncommon, but it appears in historical records, literature, and as a place name in the United States.