Chantelle

Meaning of Chantelle

Chantelle, pronounced /ʃænˈtɛl/, is a feminine given name of French derivation that emerged as a variant of Chantal—a toponymic surname rooted in the Old Occitan cantal, denoting a rocky outcrop—and further refined by the diminutive suffix -elle, which in French morphological systems reinforces feminine identity while imparting a subtle lyrical quality. Although its foundational semantics reference terrain, folk etymology has long associated it with the Latin cantare (‘to sing’), endowing the name with melodic undertones and an air of refined elegance. Statistical analysis of United States naming patterns reveals that Chantelle has sustained a stable yet modest usage profile over the past decade, consistently ranking between 900 and 950 and recording 21 occurrences in 2024—a pattern that highlights its specialized appeal and enduring Anglo-American familiarity.