Meaning of the first name Moiselle

French

Young Lady or Miss

The term moiselle is derived from the French word mademoiselle, which translates to young lady or miss. It is often used as a polite form of address for an unmarried woman. The term implies youth, respect, and a recognition of the individual's unmarried status, differentiating it from madame, which refers to a married woman. The diminutive form underscores the connotation of youthfulness and femininity that the title carries.

Historically, mademoiselle has its roots in the feudal system of France, where it was commonly used to denote social status. The term gained prominence during the Middle Ages and was part of the formal address within the aristocratic class. Over the centuries, it became a standard form of address for young unmarried women across various French-speaking regions. However, by the late 20th century, the term began to face criticism and was seen by some as reinforcing gender stereotypes and class distinctions. This social evolution led to a decline in its usage in formal contexts, particularly in official government documents.

In contemporary usage, the term moiselle is less prevalent in formal communication and is often substituted with neutral alternatives. Some French-speaking regions have adopted mademoiselle in informal settings to convey charm and politeness, while in more progressive circles, the emphasis on gender neutrality has led to the use of personne or simply using the individual's name. In certain contexts, particularly in the hospitality industry, mademoiselle may still be used as a mark of respect, but there is a growing movement advocating for the elimination of the distinction between “mademoiselle” and “madame” to promote equality and inclusivity.

Based on our records...

Dale

This is the most common surname associated with Moiselle.

Jonathan

This is the most common name of those married to a Moiselle.

David

This is the most common name for a child of a Moiselle.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

What are you curious about?

Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.

Start a free trial

Order AncestryDNA

Based on our records...

Did you know?

1901 is when there were the most people born with the first name Moiselle.

Meaning of the first name Moiselle

Origin

Meaning

Variations

Based on our records...

Dale

Jonathan

David

What are you curious about?

Did you know?

Explore the origins of another name.

Meaning of the first name Moiselle

Origin

Meaning

Variations

Based on our records...

Dale

Jonathan

David

What are you curious about?

Did you know?

Explore the origins of another name.