lagarde

Lagarde is a surname of French origin and also a toponym used for various places in France. As a habitational surname, it likely derives from a term related to guard posts, gates, or watchtowers, reflecting a location associated with protection or fortification.

Notable people with the surname include Christine Lagarde (born 1956), a French lawyer and politician. She served as France’s Minister of the Economy, Finance and Employment from 2007 to 2011, and then led the International Monetary Fund from 2011 to 2019, becoming the first woman to head the IMF. Since 2019 she has been President of the European Central Bank, again serving as the first woman to hold that post. Lagarde’s career has included roles in law, finance, and international economic policy, making her a prominent figure in global economic governance.

Beyond individuals, Lagarde appears as a toponym in France, where it names several places or parts of place names. The surname and toponym are found in Francophone regions and among communities with French heritage and influence.

In summary, Lagarde is primarily recognized as a French-origin surname associated with significant figures in economics and politics, and as a place-based name used in French geography.