Holding steady.
Popularity of Runette since 1919
Babies named Runette per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 33 |
| 1930s | 22 |
| 1940s | 25 |
| 1950s | 21 |
| 1960s | 11 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Runette is a rare American name that first appeared on the Social Security records in 1919. Its highest recorded use came in 1935, when it ranked #4186, yet even at its peak it remained an uncommon choice, given to only a handful of baby girls that year. The name has a stable trajectory, never experiencing a surge or revival, and it has not ranked nationally since the mid-20th century. While the origin is unclear, the -ette ending suggests a feminine diminutive formation, common in names like Nanette or Annette. Runette's top states include no single area of concentration, indicating a scattered, modest usage across the country.
Runette appears to be a modern or rare coinage, likely created as a feminine-sounding name using the suffix -ette. It may be derived from the Old Norse name Runa, meaning 'secret lore', though this connection is speculative. There is no strong evidence of historical use outside the United States, where it was recorded sporadically in the early 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Runi, Nettie
Sibling names for Runette
Names that share Runette's style, for a brother or sister.
