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“Dit” Names in French Canada

This tradition of “dit” names started in France with the military. New recruits would often be given nicknames or noms de guerre (literally translated as “war names”). They would be identified via their first name, surname and nom de guerre. The recruit sometimes chose their own name and sometimes it was assigned to him by his captain. This tradition continued with the French troops that came to New France, many of whom eventually settled here. To learn more about the military roots of French “dit” names, click here to read an article by military historian Luc Lépine, PhD. A “dit” name could also be used by a person simply to differentiate themselves, or their family, from someone else with the same name.

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