The name Nicolette is a French feminine diminutive form of the name Nicole, which derived from the Greek name Nikolaos. Nikolaos is a combination of the Greek words "niko" meaning "victory" and "laos" meaning "people". Thus, the name Nicolette means "victorious among the people" or "people's victory".

The name Nicole gained popularity in medieval France and spread to other European countries through French influence during the Middle Ages. The diminutive form Nicolette first appeared in French literature and records from the 12th century onwards. Some early written examples include the 12th-century medieval romance "Aucassin et Nicolette" and the 13th-century poetry of Thibaut de Champagne.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name Nicolette was Nicolette de la Haye, a 13th-century French noblewoman who lived from around 1200 to 1265. She was the wife of Philip de Béthune and held lands in the county of Flanders. Another notable Nicolette from history was Nicolette de Fayt, a 14th-century French mystic and beguine who lived from around 1300 to 1370.

In the 15th century, Nicolette de Boufflers was a French noblewoman and the mistress of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy. She lived from approximately 1380 to 1432. During the Renaissance period, Nicolette de la Vallée was a 16th-century French writer and poet who lived from around 1540 to 1600.

In the 17th century, Nicolette Parfait was a French actress and playwright who lived from 1697 to 1758. She was known for her performances in the Comédie-Française and her plays, including "La Fausse Antipathie" and "La Réunion des Amours".

While historically more common in France and other French-speaking regions, the name Nicolette has also been used in other parts of Europe, particularly in areas influenced by French culture. However, it has remained a relatively uncommon name compared to its parent name Nicole.