Manon

Meaning of Manon

Manon originates as a French diminutive of Marie, itself descended from the Latin Maria and ultimately the Hebrew Miriam, and has long been embraced within Francophone cultures for its concise elegance and intimate resonance. As a feminine given name, it carries associations with Marcel Pagnol’s celebrated novel and film Manon des Sources, as well as with the eponymous heroine of Jules Massenet’s opera, both of which have contributed to its literary and artistic cachet. Phonetically rendered mah-NOHN (/ma.nɔ̃/), it conveys in French a nasalized vowel quality that is both distinct and refined. In the United States, Manon has maintained a consistently modest presence, registering six to ten births annually from 2020 through 2024 and fluctuating within the 934th to 950th rank, thereby reflecting a measured but enduring appeal among parents seeking a name of cultured specificity.