"wealth, fortune"
Origin: Germanic via French
Language: English
Odette
Pronunciation: [ ohd-EHT ]
Girl Name
#1,218 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
The elegant Swan Queen name from ballet and Proust
French
English
American
Belgian
Elegant
Vintage
Classic
Literary
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"prosperous, rich"
Origin: Old German (Oda)
Language: French
The Story of Odette
Odette is a French feminine name derived from the Old German name Oda or Uda, meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune.' It is a diminutive of the Germanic root 'aud' which appears in many medieval European names. The name came to international prominence through Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake (1876), where Odette is the Swan Queen — a beautiful princess cursed to spend her days as a white swan, only returning to human form at night.
Odette rose significantly in English-speaking countries in the 2010s as parents rediscovered French vintage names. The character of Odette in Swan Lake gave it enduring cultural resonance, and it fits perfectly with the broader revival of French names ending in '-ette' like Colette, Cosette, and Yvette.
In France, Odette has deep literary and cultural roots beyond ballet — Odette de Crécy is one of the central characters in Marcel Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time,' one of the greatest novels ever written. The name thus carries both balletic grace and literary gravitas.
Fun Facts
- Odette is the white swan (good) in Swan Lake; Odile is the black swan (evil) — both played by the same dancer
- Odette appears in Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time' as Swann's beloved, one of literature's most analyzed characters
- WWII French resistance heroine Odette Sansom was awarded the George Cross for her courage under torture by the Gestapo
Odette in Other Languages
Dutch
Odette
German
Odette
Italian
Odetta
Russian
Одетта
Spanish
Odette
Famous People Named Odette
O
Odette Annable
Actor
1985
American actress known for House, Cloverfield, and Supergirl
O
Odette Sansom
Military
1912
French-born British Special Operations Executive agent in WWII, awarded the George Cross for resisting Gestapo torture
O
Odette (Swan Lake) Fictional
Other
The Swan Queen protagonist of Tchaikovsky's 1876 ballet Swan Lake, a princess cursed to become a white swan
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,218
- Total SSA Count
- 193
- Cultural Origins
- French English American Belgian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Odie
Dettie
Pairs Well With
Odette Rose
Odette Claire
Odette Louise
Odette Marguerite
Odette Cecile
Odette Elise
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Same Origin Names (French)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Odette
What does the name Odette mean?
"wealth, fortune" (from Germanic via French). "prosperous, rich" (from Old German (Oda)). Odette is a French feminine name derived from the Old German name Oda or Uda, meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune.' It is a diminutive of the Germanic root 'aud' which appears in many medieval European names. The name came to international prominence through Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake (1876), where Odette is the Swan Queen — a beautiful princess cursed to spend her days as a white swan, only returning to human form at night.
What is the origin of the name Odette?
Odette has Germanic via French, Old German (Oda), French, English, American, and Belgian origins. In Germanic via French, it means "wealth, fortune". In Old German (Oda), it means "prosperous, rich".
Is Odette a boy or girl name?
Odette is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Odette?
Odette is pronounced ohd-EHT.
How popular is the name Odette?
Odette is currently ranked #1218 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Odette?
Common nicknames for Odette include Odie and Dettie.
What are good middle names for Odette?
Popular middle name pairings include Odette Rose, Odette Claire, Odette Louise, Odette Marguerite, Odette Cecile, and Odette Elise.
What are good sibling names for Odette?
Names that pair well with Odette as siblings include Colette, Bastien, Sylvie, Marcel, Eloise, and Remy.
How many syllables does Odette have?
Odette has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Odette a common or rare name?
Odette is an uncommon name, ranked #1218 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Odette
Odette is a girl name with French, English, American, and Belgian origins . The name means "wealth, fortune" in Germanic via French .
Odette is currently ranked #1,218 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Odette has 2 syllables and is pronounced ohd-EHT, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Odette include Odie and Dettie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.