The name French name Fabienne debuted in the U.S. baby name data in 1949. The very next year, it saw its highest-ever usage, and the similar names Fabiene and Fabian (typically a male name) both popped up in the girls’ data.
- 1951: 17 baby girls named Fabienne
- 1950: 36 baby girls named Fabienne [peak]
- 1949: 5 baby girls named Fabienne [debut]
- 1948: unlisted
- 1947: unlisted
What caused this sudden interest in Fabienne?
The movie The Doctor and the Girl, released in September of 1949. The central characters in the drama were father and son Dr. John Corday and Dr. Michael Corday, but Michael’s sisters Fabienne (played by Gloria De Haven) and Mariette (played by Nancy Davis, later Nancy Reagan) were featured as well.
The baby name Mariette also saw peak usage in 1950.
Which of the two sister names do you like more, Fabienne or Mariette?
Source: The Doctor and the Girl – TCM