Find out how popular the first name Collette has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Collette by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Collette is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 68 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Collette.

The history of the first name Collette

The name Collette originates from the French language. It is a feminine diminutive form of the name Nicole, which is derived from the Greek word "Nikolaos" meaning "victory of the people." The name Collette first emerged in the Middle Ages, around the 12th century, in France.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Collette can be found in the 14th century literary work "Le Roman de la Rose" by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun. The name was also popular in medieval France and was borne by several notable individuals.

Collette of Corbie (1381-1447) was a French nun and the founder of the Colettine Poor Clares, a reformed branch of the Poor Clares religious order. She was canonized by Pope Pius VII in 1807.

Collette Baudoche (1804-1891) was a French author and journalist known for her works focused on social issues and women's rights. She was a prominent figure in the French literary circles of the 19th century.

Collette (Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette) (1873-1954) was a renowned French novelist and performer. She is best known for her novels such as "Gigi" and "Chéri," which explored themes of love, sexuality, and gender roles.

Collette Wolff (1913-1987) was a French actress and director. She appeared in numerous films and television productions throughout her career and was a prominent figure in French cinema.

Collette Stevenson (1908-1996) was a Scottish botanist and plant ecologist. She made significant contributions to the understanding of plant communities and their interactions with the environment.

The name Collette has a rich history, rooted in the French culture and language. It has been borne by notable figures across various fields, including religion, literature, performing arts, and science. The name's enduring popularity can be attributed to its melodic sound and its association with strength and victory, derived from its Greek origins.

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 Collette was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!