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Thibault

Thibault is a masculine and of origin, representing a medieval variant of the , formed from the elements *þeudą ("people" or "folk") and *balþaz ("bold" or "brave"), thus connoting "bold people" or "courageous ruler of the people." Historically, the name appears in medieval , particularly in -speaking regions, with variants such as Thibaud and Thibaut reflecting phonetic adaptations over time. As a , it traces back to bearers documented in early colonial records, including migrations to . In contemporary usage, Thibault remains moderately common in and French-influenced areas, often associated with individuals in diverse professions, from physicists like Thibault Damour, who contributed to research confirming general relativity's predictions, to actors such as , recognized for roles in international films. The name's enduring presence underscores its roots in feudal , where such compounds emphasized and valor, though modern bearers exhibit no unified defining characteristics beyond this etymological foundation.

Etymology

Origins and Meaning

The name Thibault derives from the medieval French adaptation of the Germanic personal name , itself originating in as Theudobald. This compound name combines the elements theud (or theod), signifying "people" or "folk," with bald, denoting "bold," "brave," or "courageous." The resulting semantic interpretation translates to "bold people," "brave ruler," or "courageous folk," evoking connotations of and valor rooted in tribal or communal strength. Linguistically, the name's evolution reflects the phonetic shifts from Proto-Germanic to during the early medieval period, as Germanic names were Latinized and integrated into Frankish and later nomenclature following the Carolingian era. The initial Th- prefix preserves the aspirated Germanic þ sound, while the suffix adapts bald into the softer ault, distinguishing it from Anglo-Saxon variants like . Common orthographic variants in include Thibaud and Thibaut, which maintain the core etymological structure while accommodating regional spelling preferences. This derivation underscores Thibault's historical ties to Germanic prevalent among Frankish from the onward, where such compounds emphasized martial and societal qualities essential for rulership. The name's persistence in contexts highlights its into usage by the , without altering the underlying Proto-Germanic roots.

As a Given Name

Usage and Popularity

Thibault is predominantly a masculine in French-speaking countries, with roots in medieval where it appeared among nobility and religious figures, including Saint Thibault of Marly (c. 1120–1247), a Cistercian abbot whose in 1226 contributed to its early dissemination in . The name's usage surged in the post-World War II era, reflecting a revival of traditional Germanic-derived names in . According to data aggregated from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), Thibault was conferred upon 55,745 male newborns between 1949 and 2024, achieving peak popularity in 1992 with 2,315 attributions, when it ranked among the top 100 boys' names. By 2010, it held the 76th position with 941 births, but usage has since moderated, dropping to 483 in 2019 and ranking 332nd (0.050% incidence) in 2024. This trajectory aligns with broader trends favoring shorter or more international names, though it remains moderately common in regions like , where variant spellings such as Thibaut also persist. In English-speaking countries, Thibault remains rare, often encountered via cultural influence or expatriate communities rather than native adoption. Social Security Administration records show a modest peak of 8 attributions per million births in 1998, followed by zero in 2021, indicating negligible domestic traction. Its cultural resonance evokes boldness and people-rule from etymological origins in the Germanic ("bold people"), appealing in multicultural naming but limited by challenges (typically /tiˈbo/ in ).

Notable Individuals

(born January 12, 1975) is a retired Canadian who competed in the National Hockey League for 14 seasons from 1993 to 2007, appearing in 466 games across teams including the /, , and , with a career goals-against average of 2.73 and 28 shutouts. Drafted tenth overall in the , he earned recognition for key playoff performances, including starting for the Canadiens in the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals. Gérard Thibault d'Anvers (c. 1574–1627) was a fencing instructor based in who developed a systematic approach to combat, detailed in his 1628 Academie de l'Espée. The work emphasized geometric constructions, such as a central circle for optimal guard positions and measured steps, influencing 17th-century European swordsmanship through its integration of mathematics and martial technique. Eric Thibault (born August 22, 1987) is an American basketball coach currently serving as associate for the of the , a role he assumed in November 2024 following two seasons as of the (2023–2024). Previously an assistant with the Mystics for a decade, including their 2019 championship season, he compiled a 25–37 regular-season record as amid team rebuilding efforts.

As a Surname

Usage and Distribution

Thibault is a surname of origin, with its earliest recorded concentrations in the medieval regions of and , where it emerged from the personal name during the feudal period. Historical migration patterns trace its spread from these areas to , primarily through French colonization efforts in the , leading to early in , particularly . This migration contributed to variant forms among Acadian descendants, such as Thibodeau, derived from Thibault lineages in Quebec and . Globally, the surname Thibault is borne by approximately 47,876 individuals, it as the 11,729th most common worldwide. It exhibits the highest incidence in , with 19,152 bearers (1 in 1,925 people), of which 82% reside in , reflecting sustained -Canadian demographic continuity. follows with 13,009 bearers (1 in 5,102), concentrated in historical heartlands, while the records 6,549 instances (1 in 55,362), largely among descendants of immigrants in northern states. Smaller populations appear in , , and other Francophone areas, with overall distribution skewed toward regions of historical influence. In , Thibault ranks as the 31st most popular surname, underscoring its prominence in French-Canadian , supported by extensive vital records from the colonial era onward. U.S. data from 2010 indicate 5,870 individuals, predominantly of European descent (94.87% White), with concentrations in states like and tied to 19th- and 20th-century waves. These patterns highlight causal links to rather than recent global diffusion, with limited presence outside communities.

Notable Individuals

Jocelyn Thibault (born January 12, 1975) is a retired Canadian who competed in the National Hockey League for 14 seasons from 1993 to 2007, appearing in 466 games across teams including the /, , and , with a career goals-against average of 2.73 and 28 shutouts. Drafted tenth overall in the , he earned recognition for key playoff performances, including starting for the Canadiens in the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals. Gérard Thibault d'Anvers (c. 1574–1627) was a fencing instructor based in who developed a systematic approach to combat, detailed in his 1628 Academie de l'Espée. The work emphasized geometric constructions, such as a central circle for optimal guard positions and measured steps, influencing 17th-century European swordsmanship through its integration of and technique. Eric Thibault (born August 22, 1987) is an American basketball coach currently serving as associate for the of the , a role he assumed in November 2024 following two seasons as of the (2023–2024). Previously an assistant with the Mystics for a decade, including their 2019 championship season, he compiled a 25–37 regular-season record as amid team rebuilding efforts.

Geographical Locations

In France

Saint-Thibault-des-Vignes is a commune in the department of the region, with a population of 6,793 inhabitants as of 2022 according to INSEE data. The locality's name derives from the 11th-century hermit (1033–1066), a noble-born and recluse from the region whose cult spread widely in northern after his in 1073; its "des-Vignes" suffix reflects longstanding viticultural activity in the area, part of the broader wine tradition. The commune features historical ties to religious foundations honoring the saint, including remnants of abbeys and priories established in his name during the medieval period. Saint-Thibault-sur-Loire, a faubourg of the commune of Saint-Satur in the Cher department along the Loire River, functioned as a medieval port critical for the embarkation and transport of Sancerre wines downstream, leveraging the river's navigability for regional trade from at least the 12th century. Named after the same patron saint Thibaut, whose relics and devotion influenced toponymy in Loire Valley settlements, the site benefited from 19th-century infrastructure like the 1834 suspension bridge and the Canal Latéral à la Loire, enhancing its role in fluvial commerce until silting and rail competition diminished river traffic by the early 20th century. Additional smaller communes bearing the name Saint-Thibault, often under 1,000 residents and administered as rural entities, include those in the , (163 inhabitants), and departments; these trace their origins to feudal lords or dedications to Saint Thibaut, with parish churches serving as focal points for local devotion and community administration since the .

In Other Countries

Thibault Island is a small island located in , within the Unorganized West Manitoulin area of , , , at coordinates approximately 45° 45' 59" N, 82° 51' 29" W. It forms part of the Duck Islands group extending from the southern shore of , reflecting historical French naming influences in regions settled by explorers and fur traders from . Thibault is an unincorporated rural community in Restigouche County, , , classified as a dispersed rural community at 47° 36′ 32″ N, 67° 20′ 38″ W, near the town of Kedgwick. This locale ties into broader patterns of French Acadian and Canadian settlement in , where place names often derive from early colonial families migrating from during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Other Uses

Fictional Characters

Thibault is a minor character in the Peanuts comic strip created by , debuting on June 4, 1970, as a short boy with a mullet-like haircut, sideburns, and a perpetual angry expression. He exhibits argumentative and pugnacious traits, refusing to return a baseball glove to and challenging him to a fight in his initial appearance, while later criticizing female teammate Marcie's presence on Peppermint Patty's baseball team, leading to her slapping him after repeated insults. These two primary storylines portray him as brash, unpleasant, and antagonistic toward peers. In Nicholas Sparks' 2008 novel The Lucky One, Logan Thibault serves as the protagonist, a U.S. Marine sergeant who survives multiple Iraq deployments and attributes his fortune to a found photograph of an unknown woman, prompting a search that leads him to her North Carolina hometown. The character remains static, demonstrating care for those around him amid themes of fate and romance, with the story adapted into a 2012 film where he is played by Zac Efron. The Thibaults (Les Thibault), an eight-volume novel cycle by published between 1922 and 1940, centers on the fictional Thibault family, including brothers Antoine and Jacques. Antoine Thibault, a physician fully immersed in his medical career, rejects his father's rigid framework in favor of and engages in an extramarital affair. Jacques Thibault, the younger and more rebellious son, flees his bourgeois home, faces reformatory hardships, and develops pacifist leanings influenced by figures like , culminating in personal tragedy amid events. Their strict father, Monsieur Thibault, embodies Catholic social principles but neglects family emotional needs, driving much of the narrative conflict. The work, which earned Martin du Gard the 1937 , has been adapted into television miniseries in 1972–1973 and 2003.

Brands and Organizations

Thibaut Design, established in 1886 by Richard E. Thibaut in , operates as the oldest continuously running wallpaper manufacturer in the United States. Originally focused on door-to-door sales of wallpapers imported from , the firm expanded into domestic production and broadened its offerings to include fabrics, trims, and furniture by the mid-20th century. Today, it serves interior designers and architects with over 20,000 patterns, emphasizing bold colors and exclusive prints sourced from global archives. Importations Thibault Ltée, based in , , , functions as a wholesale specializing in powersports , apparel, and related merchandise. Founded prior to its documented expansion into exclusive Canadian distribution agreements, the company secured rights to distribute Atturo UTV tires across all provinces in August 2024, providing dealers with access to components. Its operations prioritize through a dedicated team, handling imports of tires, parts, and accessories for recreational vehicles. Thibault is an indie-pop band from , , formed by singer-songwriter , formerly of Minimum Chips. Active since around 2019, the group produces dreamy, lounge-style tracks blending space-age pop with groove-heavy elements, as featured on their 2020 album Or Not Thibault. The band has performed at venues like Vic on the Park in and collaborated with acts such as Panel of Judges, maintaining an underground presence in the local music scene.

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