French singer-songwriter Vianney has opened up about the personal significance behind the name he chose for his second child, a daughter named Rita. In a recent interview with Bel RTL, the 35-year-old artist discussed the contrasting processes he and his wife, cellist Catherine Robert, went through when naming their two sons and daughters. While the name Edgar, given to their first son born in October 2021, came naturally to the couple, the selection of Rita, who was born on September 14, 2026, involved a journey from initial hesitation to profound recognition of its symbolic weight. [2] [6] [5]
Vianney described the choice of Edgar as straightforward and intuitive. Recalling the period before Edgar’s birth, when the couple did not yet know the gender of the baby, he noted that they had many options but zeroed in on one name that felt like an obvious choice. He humorously remarked that sometimes couples just agree on a name directly, and Edgar represented that moment of clarity and fun. However, the decision for their second child proved more complex. The couple also includes a teenage daughter from Catherine Robert’s previous relationship, whom Vianney refers to as his stepdaughter. He is an avid stepfather, a role that inspired songs such as 'Beau-papa' and 'Écoute-toi,' although he chose not to disclose her name publicly. [2] [4] [3]
The narrative around Rita’s name began with a candid conversation Vianney had with his producer shortly before her birth. During a dinner, the producer asked if they had decided on a name for the upcoming addition to the family. Vianney revealed that his wife adored the name Rita, but he initially dismissed it, describing it to his producer as 'horrible.' He stated, 'I tell you because I find it horrible; it’s Rita.' It was only by uttering the name aloud that his perspective shifted. 'In fact, saying it, I told myself: this name is too good,' he explained, laughing under the amusement of the radio audience. The experience reinforced a lesson he summed up with a smile: 'You always have to listen to your wife.' [2] [6] [5]
Beyond its sound, the name Rita carried a profound spiritual and emotional resonance for Catherine Robert. Vianney clarified that the choice was not arbitrary but deeply tied to recent events in the couple’s lives. 'There were twists and turns in the last few years,' Vianney said, referring to what he termed 'rebondissements'—difficult circumstances or challenges they had navigated. For his wife, the name Saint Rita held significant connotations. Saint Rita of Cascia, a fifteenth-century Italian nun, is widely recognized in Catholic tradition as the patron saint of hopeless cases and impossible situations. She is invoked by those facing severe trials and symbolizes faith, hope, and perseverance. [6] [4] [5]
Vianney acknowledged that while the name Rita was less obvious 'musically' or aesthetically at first glance, its meaning was incredibly strong. 'Saint Rita has a very strong connotation; it resonated well with our story, particularly my wife’s,' he explained. He chose to keep the specific details of their private struggles discreet, respecting Catherine Robert’s reserved nature. 'I won’t go into details because my wife is discreet,' he added. The name thus serves as a testament to their resilience and faith, transforming a name Vianney initially rejected into one that perfectly encapsulates their shared journey. The announcement comes as Vianney promotes his fifth studio album, 'Les Évadés' (The Escapees), released on November 6, 2026, an album he recorded in a cabin he built himself in the forest, marking a period of both artistic and personal evolution. [2] [6] [4]
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- Femme Actuelle "Je n’oublierai jamais" : Vianney fait de rares confidences sur l'une de ses ruptures, "un genre de ghosting"
- Femme Actuelle "Faut toujours écouter sa femme" : Vianney dévoile les coulisses du choix des prénoms de ses enfants
- public.fr "Je le trouve horrible" : Vianney, papa de trois enfants, ne mâche pas ses mots sur le prénom de sa petite Rita
- purepeople.com "Il y a eu des rebondissements" Vianney et sa femme Catherine : le prénom Rita, choisi pour leur fille, a une connotation très forte
- parents.fr « C'était très fort » : Vianney dévoile la signification très personnelle du prénom de sa fille
- Journal des Femmes Vianney père de trois enfants : le prénom "horrible" de sa fille lui a finalement paru "trop bien" après coup, sa femme avait raison...
