Antwanette

Meaning & origin

Antwanette is a rare feminine elaboration of Antoine, the French form of Anthony. First recorded in the U.S. in 1969, it reached its peak popularity in 1991, though it never broke into the top 1,000 names. Since the 1990s, its usage has remained stable at a very low frequency, with fewer than 5 annual births in recent years. The name has not appeared in any top states, indicating its scattered, infrequent use across the country. Antwanette fits a pattern of ornate feminine forms of established male names that were particularly fashionable in African American communities during the late 20th century. Despite its low rank, the name carries a distinctive, melodic quality and offers familiar nicknames like Annie and Nettie.

Antwanette is a feminine diminutive of Antoine, the French form of the Latin name Antonius. The -ette suffix is a common French way to feminize names. The name Anthony, from which it stems, has been popularly associated with the Latin word 'antius' meaning 'priceless' or 'invaluable', though its true Etruscan origin remains uncertain. Antwanette emerged in the United States in the late 1960s, reflecting a trend of elaborate feminine forms of male names.