Yolette is of French origin, derived from the Occitan female given name Ioletta. It is believed to have been brought to France by the troubadours, who were medieval poets and musicians from southern France. The name Yolette was particularly popular in the regions of Provence and Languedoc during the Middle Ages. However, it has since become quite rare even in its home country.
The name Yolette experienced a notable resurgence in popularity starting from the year 2005 onwards, with a total of 63 births recorded between 2005 and 2010, compared to just 52 births over the preceding five decades (1953-2004). The highest number of Yolette births in recent times was recorded in 2007, with 13 newborns sharing this name.