Antonette is a feminine given name of French origin. It is a variant spelling of the name Antoinette, which itself is a feminine form of Antoine, a name derived from the Latin name Antoninus. The name Antoninus is derived from the Roman family name Antonius, which means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy." Therefore, the meaning of the name Antonette can be interpreted as "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy."
The name Antoinette was popularized in France during the 17th century. It gained further prominence with Queen Marie Antoinette (1755-1793), who was born as Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna but was known by her middle name Antoinette. Despite being associated with the French monarchy, the name Antoinette continued to be used after the French Revolution.
Antonette is less common than its variant spelling Antoinette, but it has been used throughout history. For example, Antonette Brown Black (1828-1906) was an American abolitionist and women's rights activist. In literature, Antonette LeBlanc is a character in the novel "Atonement" by Ian McEwan.
In terms of its usage as a given name, Antonette is not considered to be particularly popular. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, there were only 5 girls named Antonette born in 2019. However, this does not mean that it is entirely uncommon - it simply suggests that it may be more commonly used as a middle name or in other countries where the data was not recorded.
Overall, Antonette is a unique and elegant given name with French roots and a meaningful origin. While its usage has varied throughout history, it remains an attractive option for parents looking for a distinctive name for their daughter.
The name Antonette experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a peak of 141 births in 1915 and a low of just 6 births in 2011 and again in 2022. The total number of births with the name Antonette between 1883 and 2023 is 7803.