How to say it
co · LETTE
kɒˈlɛt
Feminine
Colette
Victory of the people
What it means
A French short form of Nicolette, the feminine of Nicholas, from the Greek for 'victory of the people.'
Colette is the trim French form of Nicolette, the feminine of Nicholas, from Greek nikē 'victory' plus laos 'people.' St. Colette reformed a French order of nuns in the 15th century, and the novelist Colette (Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette), author of Gigi, gave it literary glamour. It reads chic, compact, and unmistakably French. It belongs to the same family as Nicole and Nicolette.
How to spell Colette
The standard spelling is Colette. Common variants include Collette, Colete, Nicolette, but Colette is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #316 in 2025, currently #316 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
A short form of Nicolette, so a cousin of Nicole and Nicholas.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Colette French novelist, author of Gigi
Spelling variants
- Collette
- Colete
- Nicolette
Names with the same feeling
See Colette from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Colette mean?
- A French short form of Nicolette, the feminine of Nicholas, from the Greek for 'victory of the people.'
- What does Colette mean in French?
- In French, Colette means "Victory of the people." Colette is the trim French form of Nicolette, the feminine of Nicholas, from Greek nikē 'victory' plus laos 'people.' St. Colette reformed a French order of nuns in the 15th century, and the novelist Colette (Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette), author of Gigi, gave it literary glamour. It reads chic, compact, and unmistakably French. It belongs to the same family as Nicole and Nicolette.
- Is Colette short for Nicolette?
- Yes. Colette is a short form of Nicolette, and it carries the same meaning, "Victory of the people." These days many parents use Colette as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Colette?
- Colette is pronounced kɒˈlɛt. Say it as co-LETTE, with the stress on the "lette" syllable.
- How do you spell Colette?
- The standard spelling is Colette. Common spelling variants include Collette, Colete, Nicolette.
- Is Colette a boy or girl name?
- Colette is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Colette?
- Colette ranked #316 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.