Odette

French, from German
"wealthy"

Odette Origin and Meaning

The name Odette is a girl's name of French origin meaning "wealthy".

Odette is the good swan in Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake, a role for which Natalie Portman won an Oscar ---and it would make a particularly soigne, sophisticated yet upbeat choice, unlike some of the more dated other 'ette'-ending names.

Odette de Crecy, is the flamboyant wife of Charles Swann in Proust's A la Recherche du Temps Perdu.

The name became publicized during World War II via the courageous French Resistance heroine Odette Brailly, who risked her life to supply information to the Allies, was captured by the Germans, and wrote her story which was retold in an eponymous film.

Actor Mark Ruffalo chose Odette for his daughter.

Variant Odetta is associated with the folksinger who was one of the first to go by a single name.

Odile, who is Odette's evil Swan Lake twin, gives her name a sinuous, sensuous appeal.

# 843 in the US

Odette Rank in US Top 1000

# 96 on Nameberry

Odette Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Odette Popularity

Famous People Named Odette

  • Odette Juliette Annable
    American actress
  • Odette Hallowes
    French WWII heroine
  • Odette Myrtil
    French,American actress and violinist
  • Odette Joyeux
    French actress
  • Odette Laure
    French actress
  • Odette Ruffalo
    daughter of American actor Mark Ruffalo
  • Odette Mercer
    daughter of American singer James Mercer of The Shins
  • Odette Giuffrida
    Italian judoka
  • Odette Elliott Padalecki (b. 2017)
    daughter of actors Jared and Genevieve Padalecki

Odette in Pop Culture

  • Odette
    character in animated movie "The Swan Princess"
  • Odette
    the good swan in the ballet "Swan Lake"
  • Odette de Crecy
    character in Marcel Proust's "Remembrance of Things Past"
  • Odette
    character in the animated movie "Leap!"
  • Odette
    character on TV's 'The Handmaid's Tale'