Collette Girl

Popularity: #866 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: koh-LET //kəˈlɛt//

Origin: French; Latin

Meaning: French: victory; Latin: to collect

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Collette is derived from the Old French name Colette, which itself is a diminutive form of the name Nicolette, originating from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning "victory of the people". The transition from Greek to Latin occurred as Nikolaos was adopted into Latin as Nicolaus, which then influenced the development of Nicolette in the Old French vernacular.

The name Colette emerged in France during the medieval period, gaining popularity as a feminine form of the masculine name Nicolas. It was introduced into English usage primarily through the influence of French literature and culture, particularly during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which brought many French names into the English language.

Historically, the name Collette is associated with notable figures, including Saint Colette, a 15th-century French nun and reformer who founded the Colettine Poor Clares. Her life and works, particularly in the context of the Catholic Church, contributed to the name's significance in religious circles.

The name also appears in various literary works, notably in the writings of the French author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette in the early 20th century, who further popularized the name through her influential literary career. The name's historical milestones are intertwined with these figures, particularly during the Renaissance and the subsequent periods when the arts flourished in France.

Culturally, Collette embodies themes of strength and resilience, reflecting its etymological roots in victory. The name has been embraced in various artistic and literary contexts, symbolizing a connection to French heritage and the arts.

Its diminutive form, Colette, has also been widely used, further embedding the name in cultural narratives. The enduring appeal of Collette can be attributed to its rich historical background and the positive associations with figures who bore the name, allowing it to maintain a presence in various cultural and historical contexts.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Collette, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

CharlotteJulietteMargotAmélieSophieElodie

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Collette. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

NicoletteOdetteColetteCelesteScarlettVioletteJulietteAntoinette

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Collette was first seen in the United States in 1898.

Collette has ranked as high as #1242 nationally, which occurred in 1966, and has been most popular in California, Illinois, New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Collette has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Collette is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Collette was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Collette.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 82 82
2024 64 64
2023 70 70
2022 75 75
2021 71 71
2020 61 61
2019 72 72
2018 88 88
2017 82 82
2016 90 90
2015 71 71
2014 90 90
2013 79 79
2012 65 65
2011 40 40
2010 49 49
2009 39 39
2008 33 33
2007 43 43
2006 39 39
2005 28 28
2004 32 32
2003 41 41
2002 43 43
2001 40 40
2000 53 53
1999 42 42
1998 46 46
1997 47 47
1996 41 41
1995 60 60
1994 45 45
1993 41 41
1992 48 48
1991 68 68
1990 79 79
1989 82 82
1988 78 78
1987 82 82
1986 92 92
1985 80 80
1984 70 70
1983 73 73
1982 79 79
1981 62 62
1980 76 76
1979 67 67
1978 81 81
1977 79 79
1976 79 79
1975 83 83
1974 96 96
1973 95 95
1972 132 132
1971 149 149
1970 158 158
1969 155 155
1968 136 136
1967 161 161
1966 189 189
1965 133 133
1964 132 132
1963 148 148
1962 156 156
1961 154 154
1960 175 175
1959 159 159
1958 149 149
1957 129 129
1956 100 100
1955 105 105
1954 100 100
1953 86 86
1952 115 115
1951 97 97
1950 76 76
1949 84 84
1948 61 61
1947 58 58
1946 35 35
1945 43 43
1944 42 42
1943 44 44
1942 34 34
1941 30 30
1940 35 35
1939 40 40
1938 39 39
1937 36 36
1936 42 42
1935 38 38
1934 37 37
1933 42 42
1932 43 43
1931 29 29
1930 26 26
1929 33 33
1928 31 31
1927 37 37
1926 31 31
1925 17 17
1924 8 8
1923 11 11
1922 17 17
1921 9 9
1920 16 16
1919 15 15
1918 17 17
1917 9 9
1916 15 15
1915 15 15
1914 10 10
1913 10 10
1912 9 9
1911 6 6
1910 8 8
1898 5 5

Top States for Collette (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 6
50%
TX 6
50%