Antoine

The name Antoine is the French form of the Roman family name Antonius, which is derived from the Latin word 'ante', meaning 'before' or 'ahead'. It is believed to have originally been a nickname meaning 'priceless one' or 'invaluable'.

In Ancient Rome, the name Antonius was famously borne by Mark Antony, a Roman politician and military leader who was a member of the Second Triumvirate alongside Octavian and Lepidus. Mark Antony was known for his romantic relationship with Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt.

The name Antoine has been widely used in France since the Middle Ages and has been borne by several French kings, including Antoine de Bourbon, King of Navarre in the 16th century.

Today, Antoine remains a popular name in France and other French-speaking regions, as well as in parts of Europe and North America with French cultural influences.