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Yvette

♀ Girl

Pronounced ee-VET /iː.ˈvɛt/Medium

Meaning: feminine diminutive of Yves, from a Germanic root meaning "yew (wood)," by extension "archer"Medium

In 30 seconds: Yvette is a French name, the feminine diminutive of Yves, from a Germanic root for 'yew wood' and by extension 'archer'.

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Origin MediumFrench, English

Meaningfeminine diminutive of Yves, from a Germanic root meaning "yew (wood)," by extension "archer"

U.S. rank (2025)#1630 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births128 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1967

Total births (all-time)≈ 64,046

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

Yew wood was the material of medieval bows, so the root behind Yves and Yvette carries a quiet link to archery. As the small, feminine form of Yves, Yvette has a distinctly French polish to it. It spread well beyond France in the twentieth century as a stylish, recognizable choice.

The American actress Yvette Mimieux, who starred in films like The Time Machine, gave the name a mid-century screen presence. Spellings such as Ivette and Evette keep the same sound with a lighter look.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Yvette 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 - Yvette — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

YveliseEvetteIvetIvetteIvona

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Yvette Mimieux (1942-2022)
American actress who rose to fame in the 1960s, starring in films such as The Time Machine and Where the Boys Are.

If you like Yvette…

Ivette— a Spanish-influenced spelling of the same French name

Celeste— echoes that soft -te sound

Scarlette— a similarly popular pick

Annette— a fellow French choice

Paulette— shares the -te ending

Explore names like Yvette

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Yvette mean?

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

How do you pronounce Yvette?

It's commonly said ee-VET /iː.ˈvɛt/.

Is Yvette a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Yvette?

In 2024, Yvette ranked #1616 in the U.S. for girls, with 129 births recorded.