rene

Rene is a masculine given name used in several languages, most notably in French where the form René is standard. It derives from the Latin Renatus, meaning reborn or rebirth, and has been in use since the Middle Ages. The name spread across Europe and the Americas through various naming traditions. Variants include Renatus, René (the accented French form), and Rene or Renee in other language contexts. In Dutch and German contexts, Rene without an accent is common for men; in English-speaking settings, Renee is typically a female form while Rene may be used as a male or gender-neutral form depending on spelling and local custom.

Usage and notable bearers: In Francophone regions, René remains a fairly common given name and has been borne by many public figures. Notable bearers include René Descartes (1596–1650), the French philosopher whose methodological doubt shaped modern thought; René Magritte (1898–1967), the Belgian surrealist painter; René Lacoste (1904–1996), French tennis player and founder of the Lacoste clothing brand; and René Lévesque (1922–1987), Canadian journalist and premier of Quebec.

Variants and reception: The female form Renée is widely used in French and remains common in other French-speaking contexts. In other languages, names with similar roots appear as Renatus in Latin studies and Renata or Renée-like forms in various cultures. The spelling and gender association of René/Rene/Renée can vary by country and tradition.