Colette
/kɔ.let/
Colette is a French short form of Nicolette, which derives from the Greek Nikolaos - nike (“victory”) and laos (“people”). The name means “victory of the people.”
Saint Colette of Corbie (1381 - 1447) was a French nun who reformed the Poor Clares order and gave her wealth to the poor. The French author Colette (Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, 1873 - 1954) is another celebrated bearer.
Colette ranked No. 400 in 2024 with 789 births. It peaked at No. 372 in 1966 with 595 births, but its current numbers actually surpass that historical high in raw terms.
What the name Colette means
The name is experiencing a genuine revival, not just a return to old levels. Modern parents are discovering it for its French sophistication.
Two syllables - koh-LET - have a chic, decisive snap. The final “t” gives it a crisp ending that sounds polished.
Parents drawn to Colette value its literary and saintly associations alongside its unmistakably French character. It is elegant without being overused.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Colette
Colette - similar names
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