Minette, a name of French origin, is derived from the French word 'minette', which means 'little one'. It was originally used as a term of endearment for young girls and eventually evolved into a given name. Minette gained popularity during the 19th century in France but has since become more widely recognized globally due to its association with notable historical figures like Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, whose real name was Rose Tascher de La Pagerie but was often referred to as 'Minette'. The name Minette is considered unique and charming, often associated with elegance and grace. It consists of three syllables: Mi-ne-tet, with stress on the second syllable. There are no specific days or occasions dedicated to celebrating this name.
The name Minette experienced significant popularity fluctuations over the years with periods of high usage between 1960 and 1981, peaking at 20 births in 1968. However, it has since become quite rare, with fewer than 10 births per year occurring from 1983 onwards, including a notable dip to just 5 births in both 1991 and 2020.