Surname Colette - Meaning and Origin
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Colette: What does the surname Colette mean?
The surname Colette is of French origin, derived from a personal name. This personal name is a diminutive form of the name Col or Cole, which is a short form of Nicholas. Nicholas is a Greek name, composed of the words 'nike', which means victory, and 'laos', which means people. Thus, Nicholas signifies "victory of the people". Therefore, in a broader sense, Colette can mean "small victory of the people". It is a fairly common last name in France. Additionally, it is famously associated with the celebrated French author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, who was known by her last name Colette.
Order DNA origin analysisColette: Where does the name Colette come from?
The last name Colette is originally of French origin. It is derived from the given name Nicolas and means "people's victory". In some cases, it also derives from the feminine given name Colette, a diminutive of Nicole. The name became popular due to Saint Colette, a 15th-century French abbess and the patron saint of women in labor.
Today, the surname Colette is relatively rare and it is spread unevenly across the globe. According to Forebears, the overwhelming majority of people bearing the surname reside in France, while a significant number also live in the United States. In France, the surname is most common in the regions of Île-de-France, Rhône-Alpes, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. In addition, it also appears in moderate numbers in Canada, Belgium and Madagascar.
Variations of the surname Colette
The surname Colette is primarily French in origin. Variations of the surname can include Collett, Collette, Colet, Colett, Coletto and Coleta. It is also often used as a first name, made famous by the French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette.
Phonetic variations can include Kollet, Kollette, and Kolletto. In Spanish-speaking countries, it may be spelled as Coletta.
It should be noted that the variations of the name can originate from different roots, thus not necessarily linked to the surname Colette. For instance, Collett can also be of English or Norwegian descent.
This surname doesn't have many common derivatives or associated family names as it is relatively unique. It may slightly vary regionally in terms of pronunciation and spelling, but largely stays the same.
In terms of frequency and distribution, the surname Colette is most commonly found in France, followed by the United States and Canada, usually amongst people of French descent.
Famous people with the name Colette
- Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette: Known simply as Colette, she was a renowned French author and woman of letters, nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature in 1948.
- Toni Collette: An Australian actress and producer, known for her work in movies and television series like "The Sixth Sense", "Hereditary", and "United States of Tara".
- Léonie Colette: A French poet and writer.
- Robert Colette: A Belgian botanist.
- Dabbs Greer (Robert William "Dabbs" Greer): An American actor whose mother's maiden name was Colette. Please note that some of these people's given names are Colette rather than it being their surname.