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Odette Girl

Popularity: #757 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

Pronunciationoh-DET / /oʊˈdɛt/

French; German

Meaning

French: wealth; German: prosperous

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Odette has its roots in the Old French name "Odet," which itself is derived from the Germanic name "Hrodhaid," composed of the elements "hrod," meaning "fame," and "haid," meaning "kind" or "manner." This name made its way into English through the influence of Norman culture following the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, where it was adopted and adapted into various forms. The transition from Old French to English often involved phonetic changes, leading to the modern pronunciation and spelling of Odette.

Historically, the name Odette gained prominence in the 19th century, particularly through the ballet "Swan Lake," composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875-1876. In this ballet, Odette is the name of the tragic heroine who is transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer. The character's plight and the themes of love and redemption resonate deeply within the narrative, contributing to the name's cultural significance. Additionally, the name appears in various literary works and adaptations, further embedding it in the cultural fabric of Western storytelling.

Symbolically, Odette is often associated with grace, beauty, and the duality of innocence and tragedy, reflecting the character's journey in "Swan Lake." The name has also been embraced in various forms across different cultures, with diminutives like "Odie" or "Dede" emerging in some contexts. This enduring legacy highlights the name's appeal and its connection to themes of transformation and the human experience, ensuring its place in both historical and artistic realms.

Trend Summary

Odette has seen a modest resurgence in popularity in recent years, particularly among parents seeking vintage names.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Odet
  • Odie

International Variants

  • Odette (French)
  • Odetta (Italian)
  • Odet (Dutch)

Famous people named Odette

Odette Annable is an actress best known for House, Supergirl, and The Astronaut Wives Club.

Odette Yustman is an actress best known for Cloverfield, The Unborn, and You Again.

Fictional characters named Odette

Odette is a fictional character from the ballet Swan Lake. She is a princess who is transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Odette was first seen in the United States in 1894. Odette has ranked as high as #1167 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Odette has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Odette (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 35
26%
TX 21
15%
AZ 12
9%
PA 12
9%
FL 10
7%
IL 9
7%
MO 8
6%
WA 7
5%
NY 7
5%
CO 6
4%
VA 5
4%
OR 5
4%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18947
189511
18967
18988
189912
19009
19015
19029
190413
190520
190711
190810
190913
191012
191112
191218
191314
191419
191531
191624
191718
191824
191923
192038
192137
192241
192324
192426
192542
192624
192722
192819
192926
193026
193119
193219
193312
193418
193520
193614
193711
193810
19396
194024
19418
19428
194316
194412
194510
194618
194719
194827
194912
195022
195126
195237
195334
195436
195528
195628
195731
195829
195921
196036
196131
196251
196341
196430
196530
196632
196721
196816
196912
197030
197125
197221
197322
197422
197518
197624
197719
197814
19799
198012
198117
198210
198316
198412
198510
198610
198716
198818
198914
19908
199113
199212
199311
199413
199528
199634
199720
199821
199912
200030
200141
200246
200325
200439
200530
200626
200731
200839
200932
201019
201149
201240
201360
201452
201587
201678
2017104
201898
2019116
2020145
2021150
2022180
2023182
2024193