Names ending in ette

Juliette

French diminutive of Julia, Latin

"youthful or sky father"

Juliette, pronounced with the emphasis on the last syllable, adds a little something extra to Juliet. In the past years it has been rising up the chart. Juliet originated in the Middle Ages as a…

Colette

French, short form of Nicole, feminine variation of Nicholas, Greek

"people of victory"

Like the French author with whom the name is most closely associated, Colette is a chic and charming name, sharp, stylish, and feminine but without the frills of Nicolette. After disappearing from…

Arlette

French

"noble, honor"

Arlette is a French form of the Germanic name Herleva, which was the name of the mother of William the Conqueror. It peaked in France in the mid-1930s, but you might be surprised to learn that in the…

Josette

French,pet form of Josephine, feminine of Joseph, Hebrew

"Jehovah increases"

One of the group of French 'ette'-ending names that emigrated to this country in the last century, though never as popular as some others, such as Claudette and Paulette--it did have a little…

Babette

French diminutive of Barbara, Greek

"stranger"

A less common relic of the Claudette-Paulette-Annette era. Babette's Feast is a 1987 Danish film based on a Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) story about a cook who wins the lottery and prepares an…

Claudette

French, feminine variation of Claude

"lame; enclosure"

Once seen as a dated French Claudette-Colbert feminization, along with Annette and Paulette, we can see Claudette moving into a more plausible Colette-Cosette arena. While some may be put off by the…

Nannette

Nannette is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Anne, ultimately derived from the Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace.' This charming variation emerged in medieval France, where adding…

Nicolette

French, diminutive of Nicole, feminine variation of Nicholas, Greek

"people of victory"

Frilly and feminine, Nicolette is the name of an enchanting princess in the medieval French romance, Aucassin et Nicolette , but really got its publicity from the heyday of Desperate Housewives and…

Annette

French

"grace"

Annette is a French diminutive of Ann which was among the first wave of widely-used girls' names from France, now neglected for so long that it's almost starting to feel stylish again.

Lizette

French, diminutive of Elizabeth

"pledged to God"

Whether you spell it Lisette or Lizette, a somewhat dated diminutive that nevertheless retains some charm.

Linette

Linette is a feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive of Line or Lina, which themselves derive from names ending in -line or -lina, such as Caroline, Emmeline, or Angelina. The…

Odette

French, from German

"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 sophisticated yet upbeat choice. In fact, it charted in…

Bernadette

German

"brave as a bear"

Although feminizations ending in "ette" are not particularly popular now, Bernadette is a pleasant, feminine, but strong name that doesn't feel prohibitively dated. And though strongly associated…

Violette

French

"purple"

Now that Violet is becoming more popular, parents are starting to explore same-but-different options such as the French Violette, which would properly be pronounced with a long e sound in the first…

Yvette

French, feminine of Yves

"yew tree"

This French name has the elegance of other '-ette' names such as Colette and is a botanical name without being too obvious about it.

Joette

Joette is a feminine name that emerged as a diminutive form of Jo or Josephine, with the feminine French suffix "-ette" added for a more delicate quality. The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew…

Jennette

Jennette is a feminine diminutive form of Jean or Jane, which ultimately derive from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." This charming variation emerged in medieval times and gained…

Lynnette

Lynnette is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Lynn or Linda. It has French and English roots, with Lynn deriving from the Welsh word 'llyn' meaning 'lake' or possibly from the…

Janette

Janette is a feminine name derived from Jane, which ultimately comes from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning "God is gracious." This French diminutive form adds refinement and elegance to the simpler…