"victory of the people"
Origin: Greek
Language: French
Collette
Pronunciation: [ k-uhl-EHT ]
Girl Name
#2,720 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A saint's name and a novelist's — effortlessly French and timeless
French
Belgian
English
American
Elegant
Sophisticated
Vintage
Literary
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Collette
Collette is a variant of Colette, the French diminutive of Nicole — from the Greek Nikolaos, combining nike (victory) and laos (people). The name gained enormous spiritual prestige through Saint Colette of Corbie (1381-1447), a French mystic who received a divine vision to reform the Order of Saint Clare. Her canonization in 1807 cemented the name across Catholic France and Belgium.
Colette and its variant Collette have seen a strong revival in the 2010s-2020s, driven by the literary prestige of the French novelist Colette and a broad appetite for vintage French names. Pixar's Ratatouille (2007) introduced Chef Colette to a new generation.
Saint Colette is venerated throughout Catholic Europe, and the novelist Colette (Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, 1873-1954) is one of France's most celebrated writers, nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature. The name carries both sacred and intellectual gravitas.
Fun Facts
- The French writer Colette was the first woman to receive a state funeral in France (1954)
- Saint Colette founded 17 convents and is said to have successfully petitioned Pope Martin V for the Order's reform
Collette in Other Languages
French
Colette
German
Kolette
Italian
Coletta
Spanish
Coleta
Famous People Named Collette
C
Colette
Writer
1873
Celebrated French novelist and performer, author of Gigi and Cheri; the first woman given a French state funeral
S
Saint Colette of Corbie
Religious
1381
French mystic and Poor Clare reformer, canonized in 1807
C
Colette (Ratatouille) Fictional
Other
The determined, talented chef in Pixar's Ratatouille (2007), voiced by Janeane Garofalo
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,720
- Total SSA Count
- 63
- Cultural Origins
- French Belgian English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Coco
Cole
Pairs Well With
Collette Marie
Collette Rose
Collette Simone
Collette Anne
Collette Elise
Collette Vivienne
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Collette
What does the name Collette mean?
"victory of the people" (from Greek). Collette is a variant of Colette, the French diminutive of Nicole — from the Greek Nikolaos, combining nike (victory) and laos (people). The name gained enormous spiritual prestige through Saint Colette of Corbie (1381-1447), a French mystic who received a divine vision to reform the Order of Saint Clare. Her canonization in 1807 cemented the name across Catholic France and Belgium.
What is the origin of the name Collette?
Collette has Greek, French, Belgian, English, and American origins. In Greek, it means "victory of the people".
Is Collette a boy or girl name?
Collette is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Collette?
Collette is pronounced k-uhl-EHT.
How popular is the name Collette?
Collette is currently ranked #2720 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Collette?
Common nicknames for Collette include Coco and Cole.
What are good middle names for Collette?
Popular middle name pairings include Collette Marie, Collette Rose, Collette Simone, Collette Anne, Collette Elise, and Collette Vivienne.
What are good sibling names for Collette?
Names that pair well with Collette as siblings include Adele, Henri, Margaux, Bastien, Eloise, and Marcel.
How many syllables does Collette have?
Collette has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Collette a common or rare name?
Collette is an uncommon name, ranked #2720 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Collette
Collette is a girl name with French, Belgian, English, and American origins . The name means "victory of the people" in Greek .
Collette is currently ranked #2,720 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Collette has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-uhl-EHT, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Collette include Coco and Cole. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Collette include Collins, Collyns, Colleen, Collier . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.