Jeannette is a French feminine given name derived from the medieval French form Jehannette, which itself is a diminutive of the name Jehanne, an Old French variant of the name Johanne or Jehanne. These forms ultimately trace their origins to the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious."

The name Jeannette gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in France and other regions influenced by French culture. It was a common name among the lower classes and the peasantry, likely due to its diminutive form and endearing connotations.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Jeannette can be found in the medieval French epic poem "La Chanson de Roland" (The Song of Roland), which dates back to the late 11th century. The poem mentions a character named Jeannette, although it is unclear whether this was a fictional character or a real person.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Jeannette. One of the earliest examples is Jeannette d'Arras (c. 1285 - c. 1330), a French poet and author of the 14th century, known for her work "Le Roman de la Manekine" (The Romance of the Little Manekine).

Another prominent figure was Jeannette Rankin (1880 - 1973), an American politician and activist who became the first woman elected to the United States Congress in 1916. She was a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement and a pacifist who opposed American involvement in both World Wars.

In the arts, Jeannette MacDonald (1903 - 1965) was an American singer and actress who starred in numerous operettas and musicals during the 1930s and 1940s, including "Naughty Marietta" and "San Francisco."

Jeannette Rankin (1920 - 1986), an American biochemist and academic, made significant contributions to the study of lipoprotein metabolism and the development of effective treatments for heart disease.

Lastly, Jeannette Walls (born 1960) is an American author and journalist, best known for her memoir "The Glass Castle," which detailed her unconventional upbringing in a dysfunctional family and became a bestseller.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Jeannette, a name with deep roots in French culture and a long-standing tradition of use across various contexts.