Holding steady.
Popularity of Polette since 1988
Babies named Polette per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2012, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Polette's real moment was 2023.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 12 |
| 1990s | 28 |
| 2000s | 10 |
| 2010s | 63 |
| 2020s | 22 |
Meaning & origin
Polette is a rare and modern feminine name with uncertain origins, possibly linked to the French surname Polette or as a variant of Paulette. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1988, and despite never ranking among the top 1000 names, it reached its highest usage in 2023. The name has maintained stable popularity over the decades, with no recorded top state concentrations. Its rarity makes it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an uncommon name with a French-inspired flair.
Polette appears to be a modern coinage or an anglicized spelling of a French surname. It may be a feminine diminutive of Paul (from Latin Paulus, 'small') or derived from the French surname Polette, itself possibly a variant of Poulet (meaning 'chicken'). The name gained sporadic use in the United States from the late 1980s onward, with peak usage in 2023, but remains very rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Polly, Lettie
Sibling names for Polette
Names that share Polette's style, for a brother or sister.
