Molière is the stage name adopted by the French playwright and actor Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (1622–1673), the author of Tartuffe and other classic comedies. He probably borrowed the name from one of the many French towns called Meulière or Molière, rather than from any family tradition.
Etymology
The surname Molière is a toponymic derived from several French hamlets and communes. The spelling Meulière also occurs, and the roots probably refer to a mill or millstone (Latin mola) or to wet, swampy land (Old French moillier). There is no evidence that the name was used in the Poquelin family before Jean‑Baptiste adopted it.
Cultural Significance
Molière is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and world literature. His extant works include comedies, farces, tragicomedies, and comédie‑ballets. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed at the Comédie‑Française more often than those of any other playwright. His influence is such that French is often referred to as the “language of Molière.” Born into a prosperous family and educated at the Collège de Clermont (now Lycée Louis‑le‑Grand), Molière spent thirteen years as an itinerant actor before returning to Paris, where his troupe gained the patronage of Louis XIV. He died on 17 February 1673, collapsing during a performance of The Imaginary Invalid.
- Meaning: Toponymic from French towns named Meulière or Molière
- Origin: French
- Type: Stage name / pseudonym
- Usage Regions: Primarily associated with France and world theatre
Sources: Wikipedia — Molière