What is the girl‘s name in solitaire?
Hey friend! As a fellow tech geek and data analyst, I‘m always fascinated by the stories and details behind things like character names in novels. So let‘s dive into the name of the main character in Alice Oseman‘s acclaimed YA novel Solitaire!
Her Real Name is Simone Latrelle
The novel reveals that the protagonist‘s given name is Simone Latrelle. She was born in Haiti to French parents and later nicknamed "Solitaire" by the Haitians due to her solitary personality.
Simone is a French feminine name derived from the Roman family name Simo. It means "hearkening" or "attentive."
Latrelle is likely a variation or spin on the French surname Latraille, which referred to someone who came from the region of Latra in France. So Simone Latrelle together means something like "an attentive girl from Latra."
Why the Nickname Solitaire?
In the book, the Haitians give Simone the nickname "Solitaire" because of her seeming disinterest in romantic relationships and preference for being alone.
The word solitaire refers to any single gem or piece of jewelry meant to be worn alone. It also refers to a single player card game. Both meanings evoke solitude and singleness.
So it‘s an very fitting nickname for a character who keeps to herself and eschews dating and intimacy. The name Solitaire connects to major themes in the novel around isolation, mental health struggles, and being your own person.
Popularity of the Name Simone Over Time
The name Simone peaked in popularity in the US in the 1950s and 1960s. Let‘s look at some data:
Simone Use for Girls in the US
| Year | Babies Named Simone | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1,380 | #157 |
| 1970 | 751 | #375 |
| 1980 | 370 | #815 |
| 1990 | 217 | #975 |
| 2000 | 150 | #1,161 |
| 2010 | 211 | #1,039 |
| 2020 | 263 | #895 |
It was most popular during the 1950s, ranking as high as #91 in 1954. Clearly it was a well-liked French name at that time. Usage has declined but remains steady.
Fun fact – the peak popularity coincided with fame of actress/singer Simone Signoret in the 50s and 60s. She likely influenced some baby name choices!
Solitaire Use for Girls
This name has never cracked the US top 1,000. It‘s quite rare, with just 5-20 baby girls named Solitaire in recent years. 2020 saw 12 female births, ranking the name #6,730. Safe to say, it remains an extremely uncommon baby name choice in America.
How Popular is Devyn for Girls?
While Simone Latrelle goes by Solitaire, you also asked about the name Devyn.
Devyn is an uncommon but rising choice for baby girls in the United States. Let‘s look at the numbers:
- 2000: #671 for girls with 212 births
- 2010: #292 for girls with 1,067 births
- 2020: #335 for girls with 1,001 births
So it ranked within the top 400 girl names over the past decade, showing a distinctive upward trend.
The spelling Devin is significantly more popular for both genders. In 2020, Devin ranked #170 for girls and #274 for boys.
Opinion on Devyn for a Girl
I find Devyn a strong and spunky name for a girl. It‘s modern and a bit stylish, with the ‘y‘ adding flair. The meaning relating to poetry and artistry is very cool too.
Devyn Latrelle could be an amazing name! It flows well and sounds creative. The rhyming endings of Devyn and Latrelle add a catchy lyrical quality.
I do think Devin is the more intuitive spelling. But Devyn on a girl has a more artistic vibe. Either spelling would suit the thoughtful and introspective character of Solitaire nicely in my view!
What About You?
So what do you think about Simone "Solitaire" Latrelle and the name Devyn? Do you find the nickname fitting? Which spelling do you prefer overall – Devyn or Devin? Let me know your thoughts! I‘m always down to discuss names and dissect characters.
Either way, I hope this gave you some interesting background and data on the name Devyn and the female lead of the novel Solitaire. Let me know if you have any other book character name questions!