Names ending in ette

Long associated with jazz great Ornette Coleman, this name's main problem is that almost all other ette-ending names -- from Annette to Paulette -- are unequivocally feminine.

The french word vignette literally means "little vine," but in English it is a literary and art term. In literature, a vignette refers to a brief but vivid description, and in art, an illustration or photo that fades into the background, sans border.

Reinette was the childhood nickname of Madame La Pompadour, perhaps a cute short form for Regina or Reina but hardly worthy of the full name on the birth certificate today.

Henriette is to Henri (or Henry) what Charlotte is to Charles. Yet this elegant French name is surprisingly rare in the States.

A less-popular alternative to Juliette, perhaps – although it feels rather more dated.

Feels more modern than the Y version but also less authentic.

Bennett doesn't really need feminizing — over 100 baby girls in 2020 were given the name as it is — but if you need to make it clear that it's a girl name, Bennette is one way to do that. It was given to five girls in 2020, and before that had not been on the charts at all since 1981.

In France, this would be like naming your child Star.

Pierrette is the French feminine form of Peter or Pierre, an antiquated if charming feminization in the style of Albertine.

Elixyvette is part Elizabeth, part Alexis, part Yvette -- and a total mess. Few people go to such lengths to make a name different. Aren't you glad?