Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Cosette

Cosette is a literary name, invented by author Victor Hugo as a fictional character in his great historical novel “Les Misérables” (1862). It comes from the French word “chose” (meaning "thing") plus the diminutive “ette” and therefore means “little thing”. Cosette was actually the child’s nickname; she was given the birth name Euphrasie (Greek meaning “good cheer”). She’s the illegitimate daughter of Fantine, a working-class Parisian girl, and a rich student who promptly abandons her. Unable to care for her alone, Fantine inadvertently leaves Cosette in the care of some rather cruel people until the child is rescued by Jean Valjean. See literary references below for more information on the character Cosette. A lot of people erroneously believe Cosette is related to the French Nicolette, but that would be Colette and not Cosette (different origins). As a female given name, it does not appear as if French parents bestow it on their own babies, nor does it appear to be popular in the English-speaking world.

All About the Baby Name – Cosette

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME COSETTE

Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME COSETTE

Cosette has never been used with enough frequency to land a position on America’s Top 1000 list. Not ever. That means we have a hidden literary gem here people! To put it in perspective, only 85 baby girls born in 2012 were given the name Cosette (out of almost two million). You’re not likely to meet Cosette in any American preschool today. And yet this name has a lot of promise. It’s French (and therefore stylish); it’s high-brow literary (Les Misérables is considered one of the greatest novels of 19th century literature); and it’s dainty sweet. “Little thing” is an affectionate etymology and a perfect name for baby girls born under 6 lbs.

Quick Facts

ON COSETTE

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

French

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

N/A

PRONUNCIATION:

ko-SET

SIMPLE MEANING:

Little thing

Characteristics

OF COSETTE

Humanitarian

Community-minded

Family-oriented

Loving

Affectionate

Compassionate

Sensitive

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Cosette

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME COSETTE

Cosette is a character in Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel, Les Misérables, which has been reproduced many times over for movies, stage and television. Cosette, (the innocent daughter of the unwed Fantine) is adopted by the protagonist, Jean Valjean, the wrongly convicted former convict who carves out a philanthropic life for himself against all odds. Cosette is the beneficiary of his largesse when he rescues her from the Thenardiers, the wicked family into whose care Fantine had entrusted her. Cosette and Valjean live happily together as father and daughter for many years, and Cosette is well-educated and grows up to be a beautiful young woman. She falls in love with the student, Marius, and they marry after a myriad of plot twists and turns, disguises, misunderstandings and reconciliations. Initially victimized, ideally virtuous and ever beautiful, the lovely Cosette seems to serve more as a symbol of hope in an oppressed world than as a living, breathing flesh and blood woman. Nonetheless, for all that, we certainly prefer the use of “Cosette” to her given name, “Euphrasie”.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME COSETTE

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Cosette


Popular Songs

ON COSETTE

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Cosette


Famous People

NAMED COSETTE

We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Cosette.

Children of Famous People

NAMED COSETTE

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Cosette

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME COSETTE

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Cosette