Blanche

Meaning of Blanche

With roots in the Old French adjective blanche—“white” or “fair”—the name Blanche first entered English usage during the medieval period, favored by Anglo-Norman nobility. Its crisp articulation (/blæntʃ/) carries echoes of continental refinement, even as its popularity has gradually declined since the early twentieth century. Though few newborn Blanches now share a classroom bench, the name still conveys a vintage elegance and quiet resilience. Literary bearers such as Tennessee Williams’s fragile yet unforgettable Blanche DuBois lend it a hint of dramatic resonance, while its core meaning evokes purity and clarity. Today, Blanche appeals to parents seeking a moniker with historical gravitas and refined simplicity.