Surname Didier - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Journey of the Didier Lineage through iGENEA DNA Analysis
Engaging with iGENEA DNA analysis led to my in-depth exploration of my family name, Didier, tracing the lines back to both anticipated and surprising origins. Beyond mere genetics, the experience offered an intriguing narrative outlining the history and migrations of the Didier family. The process was simple, making it possible to unlock profound insights into my roots and the broader historical events that shaped my lineage.
X. Didier
read moreDidier: What does the surname Didier mean?
The last name Didier is a French name dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word 'didier', which means "desire". It is also associated with the Latin word 'douos', meaning "two".
The name is most commonly found in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Picardy and Lorraine regions of France. The Didier surname is quite popular in the modern day, holding the 48th rank in terms of frequency in France.
Today the last name Didier is held by many people across the world, including those with French heritage. People bearing the name are widely spread and include characters such as Hippolyte Didier, French poet, mathematician and philosopher; Joseph Didier, French dramatist and Rectorship; as well as Amelie Didier, French writer of children's books.
The popularity of the name has led to many different variations and designations, such as Dedier, Dittér, Diidier, Dedié, and Didié. As well, the phrase 'À Dieu Didier' (to God Didier) has been instituted in some areas of France in remembrance of the name.
In summary, the Didier last name came from the French word 'didier' meaning desire. It is rooted in both Latin and Old French and is believed to signify the number two. Today Didier is widely spread on an international scale and has many significant associations from literature to philosophy.
Order DNA origin analysisDidier: Where does the name Didier come from?
Didier is a French name, and it is most popular in France today. Approximately three thousand people in France are estimated to share this last name. It can also be found in countries in the French Language area such as Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada. Outside France, it is most common in the US, with around seven hundred people sharing this name. In the US, the highest concentration of Didier families is in Louisiana.
Didier is a French occupational name deriving from the Latin term "doctor" and was commonly used to describe a doctor or teacher. Records of this name date back to the early 13th century when a knighted Thomas Didier was mentioned in a poet written in Manceau from Maine.
The Didier name has been spelled numerous ways in the past such as D'Idier, Didé, and Dié, among others. It was used historically mainly by people of noble or bourgeois families, which likely explains why it is concentrated in Louisiana today.
In all, the name Didier is quite popular today in France and its associated countries and is found with an adequate concentration in the US.
Variations of the surname Didier
The surname Didier has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common spellings are: Diederich, Diderich, Diderick, Dyderich, Dydriche, Dytriche, Dedrich, Dedrick, and Dietz.
The variants of this surname include Devidier, Devier, Devis, Django, De Draeck, De Drie, Dedrick, De Drie, Didrych, Devillers, Didericks, Dierckx, Dieter and Dieterich.
The spelling of this surname can change depending on which language is used—Diederich is common in German-speaking countries, while Devis is used in French. The surnames Dedrick, Dedrich, Dedriech and Dietz may also be found in England and Scotland as a result of the waves of immigration from Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Didier surname is derived from the given name Didier, which is a variant of the name Theodoric—both names mean ‘leader of the people’. Today the Didier surname is found in Europe, the United States and other parts of the world and is of various ethnic origins.
Famous people with the name Didier
- Didier Drogba: Former Chelsea striker, currently playing for American side Phoenix Rising. He is a four-time African Player of the Year, eight-time Premier League Player of the Year, and the Ivory Coast's all-time top goalscorer.
- Lionel Didier: French former track and field athlete who competed internationally for Monaco and France. He was the 1979 European Championships gold medalist in the 100m.
- Philippe Didier: Former French international rugby union player from 1970 to 1980. He won 51 caps and scored 7 tries with the French national team.
- Jean-Michel Didier: French former goalkeeper who captained the French U-21 team at the 1984 European U-21 Championship.
- Nicolas Didier: Former French shot putter who won silver medals at the 1998 World Junior Championships and 2004 World Indoor Championships.
- Emilie Didier: French professional beach volleyball player who represented her country at the 2016 Olympics and 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championships, where she won a gold medal.
- Didier Theys: Belgian former professional racing driver who won the 1997 24 Hours of Daytona, the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the 2000 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
- Maxime Didier: Belgian-born British former professional tennis player who reached a career-high ranking of No. 572 in the world.
- Jacques Didier: Canadian former basketball player who played for Laval University from 1978 to 1982. He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2005.
- Jean-Paul Didier: French diplomat and politician who served as French Ambassador to the United Nations from 1977 to 1981 and was the first president of the Conference on Disarmament from 1982 to 1984.