Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Yvette

Yvette is a French female name, the feminine equivalent of Yves. The French Yves developed from Ivo (an older version of Yves), from the Germanic element “iwa” meaning “yew”. Many etymologists believe the Germanic version was ultimately borrowed from an ancient Gaulish (Celtic) word for the yew tree, “ivos”. The yew tree was sacred to the ancient Celts and revered almost as highly as the oak. They believed the yew symbolized immortality and had certain mystical powers (which is why the ancient Celtic Druids used wood from the yew tree in the construction of their “magic” wands). There were two important Saint Ivos (Yves) in France, one in the 11th century and one in the 13th , the latter being a patron saint of Brittany (a Celtic community in northwest France). It was these holy men who helped perpetuate the names Ivo and then Yves throughout France in the Middle Ages. Yvette developed as a female form of the name. So did Yvonne.

All About the Baby Name – Yvette

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME YVETTE

The number Seven personality is deeply mystical and highly in tune with their spirituality. They operate on a different wavelength than the average joe. Spending time alone comes easily to Sevens, as it gives them time to contemplate philosophical, religious and spiritual ideas in an effort to find "real truth".  Sevens are wise, but often exude mystery as if they are tapped into something the rest of us don't understand. They love the outdoors and are fed by nature. Sevens are constantly seeking to understand human nature, our place in the universe, and the mystery of life in general. This makes them quite artistic and poetic, but they are also keen observers with high intellect - so they are equally scientific-minded. Sevens are charitable and care deeply about the human condition.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME YVETTE

Yvette first appeared on America’s female naming charts in 1912 and gradually rose to levels of impressive usage. The name’s most popular decade was by far and away the 1960s. Her best year ever was 1967 when the name reached #125 on the charts (almost a Top 100 but not quite). The 1960s saw a trend favoring French names like Stephanie, Michele, Jacqueline, Renee and Annette. Yvette was also a name embraced within the African-American community at the time (as many other French-inspired names have been). Eventually the name lost its luster among American parents as she began her gradual descent down the charts. These drops became more pronounced in the late 1990s and early 2000s so that by 2007, Yvette was not even a Top 1000 name. In 2012, for instance, the name Yvette was given to 152 baby girls. That’s not too many (considering almost two million baby girls were born that year!). Bernadette, Antoinette, Colette, Suzette, Yvette…these names are so, so Français.

Quick Facts

ON YVETTE

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

French

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

N/A

PRONUNCIATION:

e-VET

SIMPLE MEANING:

Yew

Characteristics

OF YVETTE

Mystical

Wise

Eccentric

Intuitive

Imaginative

Philosophical

Solitary

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Yvette

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME YVETTE

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Yvette

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME YVETTE

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Yvette


Popular Songs

ON YVETTE

Yvette in English
a song by Joni Mitchell

Dear Yvette
a song by L.L. Cool J

Famous People

NAMED YVETTE

Yvette Nicole Brown (actress/comedienne)
Yvette Mimieux (actress)
Yvette Cooper (British politician)
Yvette Clarke (American politician)
Yvette Guilbert (French cabaret singer/actress)
Yvette Freeman (actress)

Children of Famous People

NAMED YVETTE

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

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME YVETTE

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