It means "white" in French, derived from the Late Latin word "blancus".

[1][2] It possibly originated as a nickname or descriptive name for a girl with blonde hair or extremely fair skin.

It has been in use since the medieval era, influenced by Blanche of Navarre and her descendants who married into European royal houses.

It was also among the 1,000 most popular names for American boys at different points between 1887 and 1908.

It was also among the top 100 names for girls in England and Wales in 1904.