Antonette is a feminine given name of French origin. It is a variant spelling of the name Antoinette, which itself is a feminine form of Antoine, a name derived from the Latin name Antoninus. The name Antoninus is derived from the Roman family name Antonius, which means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy." Therefore, the meaning of the name Antonette can be interpreted as "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy."
The name Antoinette was popularized in France during the 17th century. It gained further prominence with Queen Marie Antoinette (1755-1793), who was born as Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna but was known by her middle name Antoinette. Despite being associated with the French monarchy, the name Antoinette continued to be used after the French Revolution.
Antonette is less common than its variant spelling Antoinette, but it has been used throughout history. For example, Antonette Brown Black (1828-1906) was an American abolitionist and women's rights activist. In literature, Antonette LeBlanc is a character in the novel "Atonement" by Ian McEwan.
In terms of its usage as a given name, Antonette is not considered to be particularly popular. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, there were only 5 girls named Antonette born in 2019. However, this does not mean that it is entirely uncommon - it simply suggests that it may be more commonly used as a middle name or in other countries where the data was not recorded.
Overall, Antonette is a unique and elegant given name with French roots and a meaningful origin. While its usage has varied throughout history, it remains an attractive option for parents looking for a distinctive name for their daughter.
The name Antonette has had a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century and a half. Between 1883 and 2023, there have been a total of 7,803 births registered with this name.
During the late 19th to early 20th centuries, Antonette's popularity was somewhat volatile, fluctuating between as few as 5 births in some years to a peak of 68 births in 1912. However, from the mid-20th century onwards, there was a significant increase in its popularity. In the 1950s and 1960s, the number of Antonette births consistently ranged between 70 to 126 per year.
The name's popularity reached an all-time high during the 1970s and early 1980s, with a total of 430 births recorded in just five years (from 1970 to 1975), averaging around 86 births annually. This trend continued into the late 1980s and early 1990s, with an average of about 72 births per year between 1984 and 1994.
However, in recent decades, there has been a significant decline in the number of babies named Antonette. Since 1995, there have been fewer than 100 births registered each year, with some years seeing as few as six births. Despite this decline in popularity, it is still possible to find new generations of Antonettes born every year.
In conclusion, while Antonette was once a popular name in the United States during certain periods, its popularity has significantly decreased over time. Nevertheless, it remains an option for parents looking for a unique and distinctive name for their child.