The Baby Name Wizard

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Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Chantal!

Comments and insights on the name Chantal: | Edit

I named my daughter CHANTAL because I am a French teacher and always thought it was the most beautiful name to say, hear and see. Most Americans do not know how to properly pronounce it, but she has accepted it. Her/our biggest problem is that people want to 'Americanize" its spelling and make it -el or -elle at the end. We are working on accepting that, but it's going to be harder!!!

My name is Chantal. I get a lot of comments on my name, some surprise me and some dont. I get a lot of people that are confused by the sound, origin, and spelling of my name. I've had people come right up to me and tell me that it's a black name, a latino name, and of course a French name. I'm Caucasian and from New England, so I think it's interesting the mispronunciations and spellings of Chantal. I've been called everything from Chaniqua, Chantine, Chanel, Michelle, and even Show-and-tell. It used to frustrate me but now I just think it's funny. I think that because people have been so careless with what they call me I try hard to make sure I call people by their names and not "what I think I heard".

Personal experiences with the name Chantal: | Edit

My name is spelt Shantal. My mom loved the name, but seeing as we are not french, my dad changed the spelling. I haven't found anyone else with it spelt this way. I hate when its misprounounced Shawn-tell is not my name.

Nicknames for Chantal: | Edit

Shan, Shanty, Chany, Chay

Meanings and history of the name Chantal: | Edit

Derived from the word "song" in French.
The surname of a French Saint Jeanne-Françoise de Chantal (17th-century) of great piety who adopted a strict religious life and founded an order of nuns, the Vistandines.

Famous real-life people named Chantal: | Edit

Tessa Dahl, daughter of author Roald Dahl and actress Patricia Neal, was originally named Chantel until her parents noticed that "Chantal Dahl" rhymed.
St Jane Frances de Chantal, French saint and founder of the Visitation order of nuns.
Chantal Chawaf, French writer
Chantal Goya, French singer and actress
Chantal Groot, Dutch butterfly and freestyle swimmer
Chantal Kreviazuk, Canadian singer
Chantal Mouffe, Belgian political theorist
Chantal Quesnel, Canadian actress

Chantal in song, story & screen: | Edit

Johnny Depp's wife and Actress: Vanessa Chantal Paradis
Chantel O'Hurley: main character in Skin Deep by Nora Roberts