A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Collette since 1898
Babies named Collette per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 114 |
| 1920s | 210 |
| 1930s | 372 |
| 1940s | 466 |
| 1950s | 1,116 |
| 1960s | 1,539 |
| 1970s | 1,019 |
| 1980s | 774 |
| 1990s | 517 |
| 2000s | 391 |
| 2010s | 726 |
| 2020s | 423 |
Meaning & origin
Collette, recorded since 1898, is a French feminine name that peaked in popularity in 1966 and has been rising again since 2005. Its appeal lies in its elegant French sound and cross-cultural familiarity. In 2025, it was given to about 1 in 19,601 girls in the United States, placing it at rank 2,239. The name saw its highest usage during the 1960s and has shown a revival in recent decades, particularly in states like Louisiana, Georgia, and California. Collette's etymology ties it to the victorious meaning of Nicolas, giving it a sense of strength and heritage.
Collette is a French feminine diminutive form of Nicolas, which itself comes from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning 'victory of the people.' The name has been used in France since the Middle Ages and gained visibility in the English-speaking world in the 19th century. It is often associated with the French writer Colette, though that is a pen name, not the given name Collette.
Where Collette 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Coco, Colie, Lettie
Sibling names for Collette
Names that share Collette's style, for a brother or sister.
