Entry № 0180 · French origin

Colette Colette — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ ko-LET /
Gender
Girl
Origin
French
Meaning
"Victory of the people"
Syllables
2
Rank · US 2025
№ 587
First recorded
Medieval (French)

A name that means "victory of the people".

Colette is a French diminutive of Nicole — itself from the Greek nikē (victory) and laos (people). The novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954), known simply as Colette, is the most famous bearer.

Colette is rising in the U.S. — currently in the top 600. The French gymnast Colette Besson and various French characters bear the name.

Victory of the people. The French novelist.

Where Colette stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 587 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 587 in 2025
Babies named Colette · last year
487 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
2015
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · №587 NOW · №587

Colettes before her.

Real people
Colette
French novelist.
1873 – 1954
In fiction
Colette
Character in Pixar's Ratatouille.
2007 film

Names connected to Colette.

The number behind Colette.

4

The Builder

Colette reduces to four — the number of French literary grace.

Why families chose this name.

"The novelist. Three syllables of French confidence. Colette."
Camille · Mother of one · Paris