So did the Plymouth Valiant name come from a french cartoon character?

When the Valiant was introduced in 1960 it was sold as a stand alone brand. Back then compact cars were the kiss of death and I suppose Chrysler didn't want the other divisions to get a black mark in the public eye if it wasn't a success, especially after the Edsel debacle in '58. Fortunately the Valiant didn't flop and in '61 it officially became a Plymouth and Dodge got a version called the Lancer. Since it was competing against the Corvair and the Falcon this shouldn't have been a surprise. I doubt the French connection to naming the car since anything connected to France at the time was beneath contempt. Something to do with their perceived cowardice during the recent European unpleasantness (WWII). I always heard they were called Valiants because they were a valiant attempt at a car.....