Antoinette is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the French name Antoine, which is a cognate of the Latin name Antonius. The latter name is believed to have been derived from the Etruscan name Aynutios, which may have meant "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy."
The name Antoinette became popular in France during the 17th century and was often used as a feminine form of Antoine. It was also used by French nobility, with one notable example being Marie Antoinette, who was born Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna but was known by her nickname Antoinette.
In English-speaking countries, the name Antoinette began to gain popularity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it is still considered a classic French name that has been used for generations of girls around the world. Some famous people named Antoinette include Antoinette Brouwer, a Dutch painter, and Antoinette Tuff, an American educator who famously negotiated with a gunman at her school in Atlanta.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Antoinette has seen a fluctuating level of popularity over time in the United States. The highest number of births recorded for this name was in 1989 with 8 babies named Antoinette that year. However, the most frequent years for the name were between 1928 and 1930, as well as 1964 to 1972, where it consistently appeared in about 5-6 births annually. Overall, over this period of time, there have been a total of 68 babies named Antoinette born in the United States. Despite these numbers, the name Antoinette remains relatively uncommon compared to other popular girls' names throughout history.