Find out how popular the first name Jette has been for the last 21 years (from 2003 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jette by gender

Based on the last 21 years of data, Jette is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 95% of people named Jette being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jette.

The history of the first name Jette

The name Jette originated from the Germanic languages spoken in Northern Europe, particularly in Denmark and the surrounding regions. It is a short form of the feminine name Jettrud or Gjetrud, which is derived from the Old Norse name Guðrún, meaning "God's secret" or "divine secret".

In the Viking Age, between the 8th and 11th centuries, the name Guðrún was popular among Scandinavian peoples. As the name spread and evolved over time, it gave rise to various diminutive forms, such as Jette, Jet, and Jetta, which became more widespread in certain areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jette can be found in the 13th-century Icelandic Saga of the Sworn Brothers, where a character named Jetta is mentioned. This literary work provides valuable insight into the cultural and linguistic traditions of medieval Scandinavia.

Jette has been a common name in Denmark for centuries, and several notable Danish women have borne this name throughout history. One example is Jette Bendixen (1851-1935), a Danish politician who was a pioneer in the women's suffrage movement in Denmark.

Another prominent figure with the name Jette is Jette Kernel (1914-2004), a Danish architect and urban planner who made significant contributions to the development of Copenhagen's infrastructure and public spaces.

In Norway, the name Jette has also been in use, although less common than in Denmark. One notable Norwegian with this name is Jette Christensen (1914-2005), a renowned author and poet who wrote extensively about the lives of rural Norwegians.

Beyond Scandinavia, the name Jette has also been adopted in other parts of Europe, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands. In Germany, the spelling variation Jetta has been popular, and it gained global recognition as the name of a well-known Volkswagen car model.

While the name Jette has its roots in ancient Germanic languages, it has endured through the centuries and continues to be a popular choice in various cultures, particularly in Northern Europe. Its historical significance and associations with notable figures make it a name with a rich cultural heritage.

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

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

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