The nameColette
Colette is a French girl's name, a short form of Nicolette. It carries the charm of the novelist Colette.
- Girl's name
- French
Meaning
Colette is a diminutive of Nicole, the feminine of Nicolas, from the Greek nike, "victory", and laos, "people".
Origin
French, from Greek.
History
Saint Colette of Corbie reformed the Poor Clares in the 15th century. The writer Colette made the name famous worldwide. In the United States it is now around 400th.
Did you know?
- In 1954 the writer Colette became the first woman to be given a state funeral in France.
- She was also the first woman to preside over the Académie Goncourt, in 1949.
Famous people named Colette
- Colette, novelist
- Saint Colette of Corbie
- Colette Besson, athlete
Popularity of the name Colette
Colette in the United States
Colette was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 4,997 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Colette. Its rise began around 1933, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Colette in the United States were born before 1978, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 688 births a year.
Colette in the United Kingdom
Colette was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 195 births over the decade, 30% of all recorded babies named Colette. Half of all babies named Colette in the United Kingdom were born before 2006, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 21 births a year on average, against 18 in the five years before.
Colette in Ireland
Colette in France
Colette in Belgium
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Colette
Names from the same generation as Colette, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Colette? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Colette with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Colette side by side with the name of your choice.
Colette in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Colette mean?
Colette is a diminutive of Nicole, the feminine of Nicolas, from the Greek nike, "victory", and laos, "people".
What is the origin of the name Colette?
French, from Greek.
Is Colette a girl's or a boy's name?
Colette is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Colette?
In 2024, Colette was the 400th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 789 births.
What are the variants of the name Colette?
Variants and related names of Colette include Nicolas and Nicole.
What are good sibling names for Colette?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Estelle, Matilda, Noelle and Mae for a sister, Sullivan, Lionel, Muhammad and Samson for a brother.
Who are famous people named Colette?
Colette, novelist; Saint Colette of Corbie; Colette Besson, athlete.