The name Suzette is a French diminutive form of the name Susanne, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Shoshana, meaning "lily" or "rose." The name is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Suzette can be found in the 16th-century French novel "L'Heptaméron" by Marguerite de Navarre, where a character named Suzette appears. The name was particularly popular in France during the Renaissance period.

In the 17th century, the name gained some prominence with the French actress and opera singer Suzanne Henriette de Lévieux, better known by her stage name Mademoiselle Suzette (1655-1728). She was a celebrated performer in the court of Louis XIV.

Another notable bearer of the name was Suzette Grivat (1793-1868), a French actress and dancer who performed at the Opéra de Paris during the early 19th century. She was renowned for her roles in various ballets and pantomimes.

In the literary world, the name Suzette is associated with the character Suzette Michu in Honoré de Balzac's novel "Les Paysans" (The Peasants), published in 1844. Michu was a young peasant girl who played a significant role in the story.

During the late 19th century, the name gained further recognition with the creation of the famous French dessert "Crêpes Suzette" by the French chef Auguste Escoffier. The dish was named after a young woman named Suzette, though the exact identity of this individual remains unclear.

In the 20th century, one of the most notable bearers of the name was Suzette Grofe (1903-1989), an American actress and dancer who appeared in numerous Broadway productions and Hollywood films during the 1920s and 1930s.