Annette is the French diminutive of Anne — from the Hebrew *Channah* ("grace, favor"). **A top-50 US baby name from 1954 to 1966, peaking at #38 in 1962**. **Annette Bening (born 1958)** — **American actress; five Academy Award nominations — *The Grifters* (1990), *American Beauty* (1999), *Being Julia* (2004), *The Kids Are All Right* (2010), and *Nyad* (2023)**; two Golden Globe Awards; widely considered one of the finest American screen actresses never to win a competitive Oscar. **Annette Funicello (1942-2013)** — American actress and singer; the most-popular original Mouseketeer on Disney's *The Mickey Mouse Club* (1955-1959); star of the 1960s "Beach Party" films with Frankie Avalon; Disney Legend (1992); her public battle with multiple sclerosis raised awareness for the disease. **Annette Bening** received the AFI tribute and Kennedy Center recognition. **Annette Kellerman (1886-1975)** — Australian swimmer and "the Million Dollar Mermaid"; popularized the one-piece women's bathing suit and synchronized swimming. **Annette Crosbie** — British actress (*One Foot in the Grave*). **Annette** *(2021)* — Leos Carax musical film with Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard; won Best Director at Cannes.
Featured throughout 20th-century American film and culture.
Annette reduces to five — the number of Bening's Oscar nominations.