Founded in 1864, its original name was Société Générale pour favoriser le développement du commerce et de l'industrie en France (English: General Company to Support the Development of Commerce and Industry in France).
Tên gọi ban đầu của nó là Société Générale pour favoriser le développement du commerce et de l'industrie en France (tiếng Anh: General Company for the Support of the Development of Commerce and Industry in France).