Jeanette is a female given name of French origin. It is a variant of the name Jeanne, which is derived from the Hebrew name "Yochanan," meaning "God is gracious." Therefore, Jeanette means "God is gracious."
The name Jeanette has been in use since the Middle Ages and was particularly popular during the 19th century. It was often used among the French nobility but eventually spread to other parts of Europe and beyond.
Despite its French origins, Jeanette has also become a popular name in English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada. According to some sources, it was one of the top 500 names for girls born in the U.S. during the late 19th century.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Jeanette. For example, French actress Jeanne Samary (1846-1927), known professionally as "Jeanette," was famous for her roles in classical plays and comedies of manners. Additionally, American singer-songwriter Jeanette Lee, born in 1953, is widely regarded as one of the greatest pool players of all time.
In literature, there are characters named Jeanette in works such as George Sand's novel "Jeanne" (1844) and John Updike's short story collection "The Women of the Family" (1976). These examples demonstrate how the name Jeanette has been represented across various forms of art and culture throughout history.
Between the years of 1918 and 1995, there were a total of 537 babies named Jeanette born in the United States each year. The most popular years for the name were 1935 and 1986 with 18 births each year, while the least popular years were 1947 and 1988 with only 5 births each year. It is interesting to note that there was a significant increase in popularity from the late 1920s to the mid-1930s, followed by a gradual decline throughout the rest of the century. Despite this fluctuation in popularity, Jeanette remained a relatively uncommon name overall during this period.