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

val·iant

[val-yuhnt] Show IPA
adjective 1. boldly courageous; brave; stout-hearted: a valiant soldier.

2. marked by or showing bravery or valor; heroic: to make a valiant effort.

3. worthy; excellent.



Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English valia ( u ) nt < Anglo-French; Middle French vaillant, present participle of valoir to be of worth < Latin val&#275;re; see -ant