Home › Baby Names Directory › Robinette
Robinette
How to Pronounce Robinette
Pronounced rob-in-ET /ˌrɒb.ɪˈnɛt/Medium
Meaning: Robinette is a French-style diminutive of Robin, adding the affectionate -ette ending to mean roughly 'little robin'. Robin itself began as a medieval pet form of Robert (Germanic, 'bright fame') before merging with the songbird's name.Medium
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
Robinette attaches the French diminutive -ette to Robin, producing 'little robin'. Robin arose in the Middle Ages as a nickname for Robert (Germanic, 'bright fame') and later fused with the bird's name; Robinette carries that whole lineage in a softened, feminine form.
As a given name Robinette has always been scarce, appearing only a handful of times a year around its early-1960s peak and fading by 1990. Most people meet it as a surname or middle name rather than a first name, which keeps it feeling distinctive and slightly formal.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Joseph Robinette Biden (b. 1942)the 46th US president carries Robinette as a middle name from his mother's family; here it appears instead as a girl's given name
If you like Robinette…
Explore names like Robinette
Frequently Asked
What does the name Robinette mean?
Robinette is a French diminutive of Robin meaning 'little robin'; Robin itself began as a pet form of Robert.
How do you pronounce Robinette?
It's said rob-in-ET /ˌrɒb.ɪˈnɛt/ — three syllables, stress on the third.
Is Robinette a boy or girl name?
Robinette is used as a girl's name, though it is better known as a surname and middle name.
How popular is Robinette?
Robinette has always been rare as a first name, seen only occasionally around the early sixties and more familiar as a middle or family name.