Amédée is a French given name of Latin origin. It comes from the Roman family name Aemilius, which was derived from the Latin word "aemulus," meaning "rival" or "equal." The name Amédée was popular among the French nobility during the Middle Ages and was often associated with high social status.
The name Amédée has been worn by several notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous was Amédée de Beauharnais, who served as a French general during the Napoleonic Wars and later became the Duke of Leuchtenberg after marrying Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia. Another notable figure was Amédée II de Savoie, the Duke of Savoy from 1849 to 1852.
In literature, Amédée is the protagonist of "The Metamorphosis of Amédée" by French writer René Magritte. The story follows a man who discovers that his body is slowly turning into furniture.
Today, Amédée remains a relatively rare given name in France and other French-speaking countries, but it continues to be associated with refinement and elegance due to its historic roots among the French nobility. It is often shortened to the nickname "Médi" or "Amé.
The name Amedee experienced periodic popularity throughout the 20th century, with peaks occurring around the years 1914, 1916, and 1923, each registering 8 births. However, it's interesting to note a significant gap in usage between 1926 and 1981 before reappearing again in 1990, suggesting a potential resurgence of interest in the name during the late 20th century. Overall, there were 70 recorded births with the name Amedee from 1902 to 1990.