Find out how popular the first name Arnette has been for the last 25 years (from 1974 to 1998) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Arnette by gender

Based on the last 25 years of data, Arnette is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1998, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Arnette.

The history of the first name Arnette

The name Arnette has its origins in the medieval French language and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is a feminine diminutive form of the Old French name Arnaud, which is derived from the Germanic elements "arn" meaning "eagle" and "wald" meaning "rule" or "power." The name Arnette, therefore, carries the meaning of "little eagle ruler" or "little powerful eagle."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Arnette can be found in the annals of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Gilles in southern France, where an Arnette de Montpellier is mentioned as a benefactor of the abbey in the late 12th century. It is believed that this Arnette was a noblewoman from the region of Montpellier, which was a prominent center of medieval French culture and literature.

In the 13th century, the name Arnette appeared in the literary work "Roman de la Rose" by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun, one of the most influential works of medieval French literature. The character of Arnette is described as a beautiful and virtuous maiden, suggesting that the name carried positive connotations during this period.

As the name spread throughout Europe, it gained popularity in various regions and cultures. In the 14th century, an Arnette von Bocksdorf is recorded as a prominent landowner in the region of Saxony, in what is now modern-day Germany. This indicates that the name had been adopted and adapted by Germanic cultures as well.

During the Renaissance period, the name Arnette was borne by several notable figures, including Arnette de Baulieu (1480-1558), a French noblewoman and patron of the arts, and Arnette Petit (1522-1587), a French printer and publisher who played a significant role in the dissemination of Protestant literature during the Reformation.

In the 17th century, Arnette Bellingan (1610-1672) was a Dutch painter and engraver known for her portraiture and still-life works, while Arnette de Hauterive (1638-1712) was a French playwright and poet whose works were widely acclaimed in her time.

The name Arnette continued to be used throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, with Arnette Désirée Clary (1777-1860), the wife of French military leader Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, being one of the most notable bearers of the name during this period.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Arnette was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Arnette, please contact us.

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