French names that end in 'ette'

In French, the suffix “-ette” creates words referring to a smaller version of the original concept. For instance, this suffix turns “fille” (girl) into “fillette” (little girl), and “maison” (house) into “maisonnette” (small house or cottage). When applied to names, this suffix can give an affectionate, delicate, and endearing feel.

An “ette” ending indicates that a French name is female. These names can be classified into two categories. The first group consists of those derived from a male name. For example, Bernadette is derived from Bernard. In these cases, the “ette” ending serves to produce a female equivalent of a male name.

The second category consists of those formed from existing female names. For example, Lucette originates from the female name Lucie, and Sylvette is derived from Sylvie. In these cases, the “ette” ending gives the name a delicate and affectionate feel.

List of French names that end in “ette”

• Paulette: In French, Paule is the simplest feminine form of the male name Paul. However, this name is relatively rare, possibly because it sounds like the male version. More frequently, you'll encounter names formed by adding diminutive suffixes. For instance, “-ine” results in Pauline, and “-ette” leads to Paulette.
• Yvette: Yvette is a feminine name derived by adding the “-ette” ending to Yves, a male name that in France can bring to mind Yves Saint Laurent, a renowned French fashion designer.
• Odette: Odette is formed by adding the “-ette” suffix to Odet, a male name that has fallen out of use. Odette is the name of the white Swan character in Tchaikovsky’s ballet, Swan Lake.
• Ginette: Derived from the more elaborate female name Geneviève, Ginette is a much simpler version. Interestingly, Geneviève is the name of the Patron Saint of Paris.
• Josette: Josèphe is the simplest adaption of the male name Joseph into a female version. But it has the same pronunciation. The “-ette” ending of Josette and the “-ine” ending of Josephine make these derived names more distinctly feminine.
• Colette: Colette is a charming French female name formed by adding the suffix “-ette” to Colas, a male name that has fallen out of use.
• Georgette: Georgette is derived from Georges, the French version of the English name George.
• Bernadette: Bernadette is a female name derived from the male name Bernard. In France, a well-known person with this name is Bernadette Chirac, the wife of former French President Jacques Chirac.
• Henriette: Harriet, an Anglicized form of the French name Henriette, was popular during the Victorian era in England, and a character in Jane Austen’s novel Emma has that name.
• Huguette: The French male name Hugues, and its English equivalent Hugh are names of Germanic origin. But, when you add the “ette” ending to create the female name Huguette, it takes on a delicate French charm.
• Arlette
• Juliette: In its written form, the “ette” ending gives the name Juliette a distinct French charm, yet it also corresponds to the English name Juliet. This association becomes clear in William Shakespeare's play “Romeo and Juliet” which is translated into French as “Roméo et Juliette”.
• Pierrette: Pierre is a classic French name, equivalent to Peter in English. Its feminine counterpart, Pierrette, is created by adding the “ette” ending, while the male diminutive form, Pierrot, is formed by adding the “ot” ending. In France, Pierrette is more commonly used as a name than Pierrot, likely because Pierrot is also associated with a character in French pantomime.
• Lucette: Lucette is derived from the French name Lucie, a name that originates from a Latin word meaning “light” (as in “luminous”). The “ette” ending gives the name Lucette an endearing feel.
• Claudette: Claude is one of the rare French names used for both boys and girls. However, when you add the “ette” ending, it turns into Claudette, a name that is distinctly and unmistakably feminine.
• Antoinette: Antoinette is the feminine counterpart of the French name Antoine, the equivalent of Anthony in English.
• Mauricette: Mauricette is derived from the male name Maurice, which has Latin origins and corresponds to Morris in English. Mauricette and Morissette have the same pronunciation, but the latter is typically a surname.
• Annette
• Sylvette: Sylvette is derived from Sylvie; both names originate from the Latin word “silva” meaning “forest”.
• Jeannette: Jeannette is formed by adding the “-ette” ending to the French female name Jeanne, much like how the English name Janet is created from Jane and the “-et” suffix.
• Marinette
• Louisette
• Violette: This name has a floral connection, as the word “violette” in French refers to a type of flower with purple petals.
• Francette: In French, there's a female name “France”, which is identical to the country's name. This can be confusing. But the addition of the “ette” ending offers a solution, resulting in the less ambiguous name, Francette.
• Joffrette
• Marie-Bernadette
• Muguette: Muguette is a rather rare French name. The “ette” ending distinguishes it from the French word “muguet” which refers to a type of flower known in English as “lily of the valley”. There is a French tradition associated with this flower: On May 1st, it is a common practice for people in France to give small bouquets of muguet to friends and family members.
• Suzette

Very rare French names that end in “ette”

• Étiennette: In France, you'll often come across the male name Étienne, but its female form, Étiennette, is quite uncommon.
• Mariette: While Marie is a common French female name, its diminutive version ending in “ette”, Mariette, is rarely encountered.
• Laurette: Laurette is formed by adding the “ette” ending to Laure, a French female name that originates from the Latin term “laurus”, which refers to the laurel tree. The English word “laureate” shares the same origin. In ancient Greece and Rome, the laurel tree was associated with honor and victory.
• Marie-Antoinette: In French history, Marie-Antoinette was the name of the French Queen at the time of the revolution. The contemporary use of this name is very rare.
• Eliette
• Rosette
• Lisette
• Aliette
• Charlette
• Lorette
• Gillette: While Gilles is a common French boy’s name, its female counterpart, Gillette, is seldom used. Note that Gillette is also a famous brand of razors and shaving products.
• Guillemette
• Pâquerette: Pâquerette and Marguerite are two French female names that correspond to flower names as well. Both are translated to English as “Daisy”. While Marguerite is a more frequently given name, it lacks the “ette” ending found in Pâquerette.
• Cosette: Cosette is a name that has been featured in French literature. Cosette is the nickname of a character in Victor Hugo's novel, Les Misérables.
• Moisette
• Linette
• Marie-Josette
• Clairette
• Guillaumette
• Marie-Henriette
• Ivette
• Fanette
• Monette
• Bleuette
• Marie-Colette
• Anicette
• Marysette
• Heliette
• Nicolette
• Mirette
• Olivette