Rising since 1991, #316 for girls today.
Popularity of Colette since 1892
Babies named Colette per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 38 |
| 1900s | 76 |
| 1910s | 250 |
| 1920s | 461 |
| 1930s | 747 |
| 1940s | 1,204 |
| 1950s | 3,670 |
| 1960s | 4,764 |
| 1970s | 2,494 |
| 1980s | 1,790 |
| 1990s | 1,426 |
| 2000s | 1,666 |
| 2010s | 4,998 |
| 2020s | 4,403 |
Meaning & origin
Colette is a French diminutive of Nicole that has been in consistent use in the United States since first appearing in Social Security records in 1892. After a period of decline in the mid-20th century, the name began rising again in 1991 and reached a new peak rank of 316 in 2025. It is especially popular in North Dakota, New Hampshire, and Minnesota. Colette has a sophisticated yet approachable sound, balancing French elegance with an accessible spelling and pronunciation. Its long history and association with Saint Colette give it a grounded, traditional feel, while its recent upward trajectory suggests parents are rediscovering it as a fresh alternative to more common vintage revivals like Charlotte or Violet. The name's steady growth over the past three decades indicates enduring appeal.
Colette is a French diminutive of Nicole, which itself derives from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning "victory of the people." The name was popularized in France by Saint Colette, a 15th-century nun and reformer of the Franciscan order. It has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Where Colette is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Colette” around the world
Where Colette lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
150
babies in 2024
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cole, Coco, Lettie
Variants: Collette
Sibling names for Colette
Names that share Colette's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Margot, Simone, Juliette, Celeste, Genevieve, Annette, Cherie, Elodie, Jeanette, Jeannine, Lorraine, Monique, Patrice, Renee, Sylvie, Yvette, Yvonne, Alane, Arlette, Avril, Brigitte, Claudette, Claudine, Corrine, Danette, Delphine, Denice, Denisse, Evette, Evonne, Francine, Georgette, Helaine, Ivette, Ivonne, Jeanine, Josette, Lisette, Lissette, Lizette, Marcelle, Margaux, Martine, Nadine, Nanette, Nannette, Nicholette, Nicolette, Nicolle, Renae, Suzette, Adriene, Anjanette, Ariane, Babette, Chante, Charise, Charlette, Clarisse, Denyse, Deseree, Eliette, Ivon, Jacquie, Jaquelin, Jocelyne, Julienne, Laurette, Liane, Linette, Lizzette, Lucienne, Marchelle, Mechelle, Micheline, Monette, Odette, Renay, Solange, Tonette, Vivianne, Amorette, Annett, Calise, Carlette, Charlet, Chrisette, Davette, Fabienne, Francoise, Ginette, Gissele, Isabeau, Ivone, Jacquita, Jacqulin, Janeane, Jannine, Jaquetta, Jolette, Josseline, Jozette, Lenette, Liliane, Lisett, Lissett, Lorelle, Lorette, Lorrain, Lyanne, Lynnetta, Lysette, Mariette, Marquerite, Minette, Mireille, Nadyne, Nicollette, Ninette, Odile, Olivette, Paulett, Racine, Renette, Robinette, Ronette, Susette, Suzzette, Toinette, Trinette, Yevette, Yvetta, Yvonna, Yvonnie, Anique, Annais, Anntoinette, Barbette, Bernardette, Blondine, Caresse, Carinne, Carmelle, Chantalle, Charnette, Cimone, Darcelle, Deniese, Dominigue, Domique, Dorette, Elianne, Eyvette, Eyvonne, Fanchon, Gabrelle, Geneieve, Gennette, Ghislaine, Gilberte, Jacquelina, Jacquiline, Jaquelyne, Jeannemarie, Juliene, Lennette, Levette, Lissete, Lizzett, Lucette, Lyzette, Manette, Miette, Mirelle, Mirielle, Murielle, Pierrette, Priscille, Richetta, Semone, Suzane, Yavonne, Yevonne, Yoland, Yuvonne, Yvett, Antoinett, Jacqulyne, Alette, Analisse, Andrienne, Annick, Babbette, Bernese, Briggitte, Brunette, Camelle, Celisse, Chanin, Chantale, Chereese, Danett, Evalette, Evelette, Francyne, Gwenette, Jacquette, Jacqulene, Janiene, Joliet, Jonnette, Julliette, Lanett, Linetta, Lizzete, Marcele, Marionette, Michille, Mignonne, Musette, Naelle, Nickolette, Nicolet, Novelle, Polette, Rayette, Rennae, Rennee, Runette, Trinetta, Verlaine, Yolette, Yvone
Brothers: Julian, Olivier, Théo, Sébastien, Remy, Amaury, Armand, Henri, Julien, Marice, Andree, Aramis, Beaux, Gaston, Jeanpaul, Pascal, Renard, Antoin, Antoinne, Danton, Domenique, Duval, Herve, Jehan, Lemoyne, Michon, Phillipe, Yvan, Durand, Franchot, Jaques, Jeanclaude, Marquet, Yohann, Camil, Lemond, Marguis, Ramier, Reynald, Rodolphe, Yvon
Names like Colette
Names whose popularity has moved with Colette's over the last 50 years.
