Comments for EPONINE:

According to my research, Eponine is the French form of the name of the wife of Julius Sabinus, the Roman emperor in Gaul in the first half of 70. Her story is related by the Greek philosopher Plutarch of Chaeronea in his collection of love stories, the Eroticus.

"Her Gaulish name was Empona, which may be translated into Greek as 'Heroine'. "

The Italians refer to her as Epponina which translates into French as Eponine.

Victor Hugo, in naming one of his central heroines of Les Miserables after Saint Eponine was likely invoking this obscure love story from Plutarch about the wife who gives up everything and eventually sacrifices her own life out of love and devotion to her husband.

Here are my key references:
French First Name Site (Sainte Eponine)
http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saints_8794.html?PHPSESSID=77651336bb705d82d0deb55116d2bce9

History of Epponina wife of Julius Sabinus
http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=church&book=roman&story=epponina&PHPSESSID=a641040e0da1b14e410a3536b5658834

History of Empona wife of Julius Sabinus http://www.livius.org/jo-jz/julius/sabinus.html

-- troydarling  1/9/2006

Could also be related to Epona, the name of the Celtic goddess of horses, which means "horse" from Gaulish "epos."

-- SeaHorse15  4/17/2006

Eponine is probably the most popular Les Misérables character (and my favourite). That's so interesting that there's a Saint Eponine.

-- eponine_pontmercy  6/26/2006

I've read that "Eponine" also means "love", which would explain the romance novel connotation in Victor Hugo's novel. (Eponine was my absolute favorite character.)

-- sariamew456  8/21/2006

This is one of my absolute favorite names. I think it sounds beautiful. :) This is also my favorite character from "Les Miserables".

-- Anonymous User  10/21/2006

Pronounced Ep-O-Nee, Ep-O-Neen.

-- Anonymous User  10/24/2006

Pronounced EP-oh-neen: stress on the first syllable, "EP-" as in Pepper, "-oh-" as in Oh, No! and "-neen" that rhymes with teen.

-- VictoriaCalledTori  4/22/2007

This name sounds beautiful and has a nice history around it. If I ever have a daughter I will name her this because Eponine is one of my all time favorite characters and a great role model for women and young girls. This would do as either a middle name or a first name.

-- LittleGavroche  3/30/2008

I simply ADORE this name! Eponine is so beautiful and feminine. It flows so nicely. Eponine also happens to be my favorite character from Les Miserables.

-- _clippit_  7/20/2008

French variant of Epona, the Greek goddess of horses.

-- Anonymous User  9/11/2009

Key: Meaning/History Usage Pronunciation Famous Bearer Personal Impression Other

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