---
title: "Yes, writing "Canadiens" with an "e" goes beyond simple spelling: it's a question of national identity."
date: 2026-10-19
tags:
  - "converted"
---


![Illustration](de9456a0e354.png)

<aside class="ai-prompt"><p><span>
<strong><span>“Is 'Canadiens' spelled with an 'e' in both English and French when referring to the hockey team?”</span></strong><br></span></p></aside>

### Yes, the spelling “Canadiens” with an “e” is used in both English and French when referring to the NHL hockey team, though for different reasons.

### 🇫🇷 In French

It is simply the correct French spelling of the word for “Canadians.” The team's official French name is **le Club de hockey Canadien**, and they are commonly referred to as **les Canadiens de Montréal** . In French, the name is pronounced roughly as *Cah-nah-diyen* .[https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2014/05/01/why_is_montreal_canadiens_spelled_with_an_e/](https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2014/05/01/why_is_montreal_canadiens_spelled_with_an_e/)[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-why-the-montreal-canadiens-are-now-canadas-team/#1](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-why-the-montreal-canadiens-are-now-canadas-team/#1)

### 🇬🇧 In English

In English, “Canadiens” is used **only as the official proper name of the team**, not as a translation of the word “Canadians.” The Government of Canada's language portal notes that while “Canadian” is the correct English spelling for the noun and adjective, “Canadiens” is used in English specifically to refer to the Montreal hockey team .[https://our-languages.canada.ca/en/comment/reply/node/69561/comment/5661](https://our-languages.canada.ca/en/comment/reply/node/69561/comment/5661)

English speakers typically pronounce it like the English word “Canadians” (kuh-NAY-dee-enz), even though the spelling retains the French “e” . This makes the team name a rare case where a French spelling is preserved in English usage as a proper noun.

🇫🇷 In French
  
It is simply the correct French spelling of the word for “Canadians.” The team's official French name is le Club de hockey Canadien, and they are commonly referred to as les Canadiens de Montréal . In French, the name is pronounced roughly as Cah-nah-diyen .

🇬🇧 In English
  
In English, “Canadiens” is used only as the official proper name of the team, not as a translation of the word “Canadians.” The Government of Canada's language portal notes that while “Canadian” is the correct English spelling for the noun and adjective, “Canadiens” is used in English specifically to refer to the Montreal hockey team .

English speakers typically pronounce it like the English word “Canadians” (kuh-NAY-dee-enz), even though the spelling retains the French “e” . This makes the team name a rare case where a French spelling is preserved in English usage as a proper noun.