Jeannette is a female given name of French origin. It is derived from the masculine name Jean, which is a derivative of Johannes, meaning "God is gracious" or "God has shown favor." The feminine form of Jean is Jeanne, and Jeannette is a diminutive of Jeanne.
The name Jeannette was popular in France during the 19th century and was often given to girls born into working-class families. It was also a common name among French Canadians. In some parts of France, particularly in the regions of Brittany and Normandy, Jeannette was traditionally given to girls born on the feast day of Saint Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc).
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures with the name Jeannette. One of the most famous is Jeannette Pickering Rankin, who was the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress in 1916. Another notable figure is Jeannette Lykes, a Canadian painter and art educator who was known for her landscapes and still lifes.
Today, Jeannette remains a relatively uncommon name outside of France but continues to be popular among French speakers. It is often associated with warmth, approachability, and simplicity. However, it is important to note that the traits and characteristics of individuals are unique and not determined by their names alone.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Jeannette experienced varying popularity over time. The peak of its usage occurred around the early to mid-1900s, with a significant rise from 34 births in 1880 to a high of 1113 births in 1917. However, starting from the late 1920s, there was a consistent decline in the usage of this name, reaching a low of 16 births in 2021, indicating that it has largely fallen out of fashion. Overall, between 1880 and 2023, there were a total of 69,206 births with the name Jeannette.