Gaudette

Gaudette is a surname of French origin, a variant form of Gaudet. It is most common in Canada, particularly among people of French-Canadian heritage, and is also found in the United States in communities with French-Canadian roots.

Etymology and usage

The name is believed to descend from the Old French personal name Gaudet, which is associated with a root meaning joy or rejoicing. The spelling Gaudette, with the double t, may reflect regional orthography or a diminutive or patronymic development in certain families.

Distribution

In Canada, Gaudette is established in provinces with strong French-Canadian populations, including Quebec and parts of Ontario and the Atlantic region. Historical migration patterns during the 19th and 20th centuries helped spread the surname to other parts of North America, including various states in the United States.

Notable people

Notable individuals with the surname include Adam Gaudette (born 1996), a Canadian-American professional ice hockey forward who has played in the National Hockey League.

See also

Related surname variants include Gaudet. The name Gaudette is sometimes confused with similar spellings, so cross-referencing Gaudet can be helpful for broader context.