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Josette

♀ Girl

Pronounced ZHAW-zeht /ˈʒɔ.zɛt/Medium

Meaning: French diminutive of Josephine, from Hebrew Yosef 'he will add / God shall add'.Medium

In 30 seconds: Josette is a French girl's name, a pet form of Josephine, rooted in the Hebrew Yosef meaning 'he will add' or 'God shall add'.

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Origin MediumFrench

MeaningFrench diminutive of Josephine, from Hebrew Yosef 'he will add / God shall add'.

U.S. rank (2025)#1836 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births109 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1968

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,658

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Josette is the French diminutive of Josephine, which traces back through the Hebrew name Yosef to the sense 'he will add' or 'God shall add'. The -ette ending is the classic French way of forming an affectionate, smaller version of a longer name. So Josette carries Josephine's meaning in a lighter, more intimate shape.

It sits among related French forms such as Josiane, Josianne, and Josyane, all drawn from the same Joseph root. The British actress Josette Simon, known for her Royal Shakespeare Company work, is one bearer.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Josette is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Josette — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

FifiJosianeJosianneJosyaneJosepa

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Josette Simon (1960-present)
British actress known for 'Blake's 7' and her stage work with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

If you like Josette…

Josephine— The full name that Josette is a French pet form of.

Jeanette— a fellow French choice

Annette— shares the -te ending

Paulette— shares Josette's French roots

Yvette— shares the -te ending

Explore names like Josette

By themefrench

By meaningGod / Divine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Josette mean?

Josette is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with French tradition.

How do you pronounce Josette?

It's commonly said ZHAW-zeht /ˈʒɔ.zɛt/.

Is Josette a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Josette is used as a girl name.

How popular is Josette?

In 2024, Josette ranked #2218 in the U.S. for girls, with 85 births recorded.