Renée had her heyday back in the 1960s, but this variant could sound just right in 2009.

Thanks to Photoquilty for suggesting Renata as Name of the Day.

In the nineteenth century, you’d be hard pressed to find any American child wearing any form of the Latin Renatus, despite widespread use throughout Europe.

The français Renée caught on for American girls during the twentieth century. She was already in the Top 100 when The Left Banke scored a hit with “Walk Away Renée” in 1966. The name peaked at #62 the year after the single’s release.

Elsewhere Renata is the common feminine form. In Latin, the name means born again – think renaissance. Adherents of the first century Cult of Mithra used renatus to describe initiated members.

Mithraism faded, but early Christians embraced the meaning and adopted variations of Renatus as a personal name.

Famous bearers include:

  • A pair of saints, the fifth century Renato of Sorrento and René of Angers. Both names were Latinized as Renatus;
  • A handful of royals wear the name, including a sixteenth century Prince of Orange and the seventeenth century Archduchess Cecilia Renata of Austria, who became Queen of Poland;
  • Journalist and writer Renata Adler;
  • Two legendary opera singers, both Italian-born sopranos. Renata Tebaldi in the post-World War II era and Renata Scotto from the 1960s and 70s.

The second operatic Renata might even deserve credit for the name’s brief appearance in the US Top 1000 during the late 1970s. A character in Gabriel García Márquez’ 1967 novel One Hundred Years of Solitude also wore the name.

For a touch of silver screen glamor, variant Renate was worn by German actress Renate Müller. Ms. Müller is remembered as the star of the original Viktor und Viktoria, back in 1933. When the Nazis came calling, she refused to star in their propoganda films. Some say she died of natural causes; others claim her nein led to murder by the Gestapo.

Renate is also the middle name of Heidelberg-born Queen Silvia of Sweden.

Then there’s Renita, usually listed as a variant, despite her slightly different pronunciation. (She’s re NEE tah instead of reh NAH tah.) From 1954 into the early 1980s, she charted in the US Top 1000. My best guess is that Renita is a Spanish diminutive form of Renée, first used in I Love Lucy. She’s one of Ricky’s friends from Cuba, a fellow dancer he knows as Little Renita. But when she arrives for a visit, Little Renita is all grown up.

Renata and Renita also benefit from their similarity to the French reine – queen. File Renata with Regina and Leroy – even if an etymologic connection is lacking.

Renata is also a minor character in the Twilight series. She’s among the Volturi, the mega-powerful Vampires Without Apology. While her character doesn’t command much screen time, Renata might just be reborn through the undead.

Call Renata that rare choice that can appeal to Frasier Crane and Roseanne Barr alike. The sopranos lend her a sophisticated air, while the fictional vampire keeps her current. She could even fly as a sister – or substitution – for Nevaeh.

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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18 Comments

  1. My 83-year-old German grandmother goes by Renate, which is her middle name. Her first name is Ingeborg, which she hated (not super feminine, is it?) so she chose Renate in childhood. Her first husband nicknamed her Renni, but no one else has used nicknames since.

  2. My name is Renatta. I didn’t like my name growing up, but now I can appreciate being different. My great aunt named me. She had a client named Renata. She just added a “t.” I was born in Germany to American parents, so it fits. Respect, to everyone named Renatta!

  3. Hello new name crush!
    I’ve never been a fan of Renee, but Renata has a completely different feel to her. Renata feels elegant, dignified, statuesque, and feminine without being frilly.

  4. I’m with you Ranada. My German mother named me after a famous actress, Renata Muller of Germany, who was killed by Hitler thugs. I wear the name proudly for one who stood up to that Psychopath and I am proud of the name. There aren’t many of us, but when I meet someone that shares the name, I love to shake her hand. Salute!

  5. I LOVE MY NAME…ALTHOUGH MY PARENTS SPELLED IT DIFFERENT….IT IS PRONOUNCED THE SAME, EXCEPT THE TAH IS A DAH. I LIKE THAT I CAN WALK INTO A FULL ROOM AND WHEN SOMEONE CALLS MY NAME 20 PEOPLE DONT TURN AROUND. 🙂