Josette

Josette is a feminine given name of French origin. It is commonly interpreted as a diminutive form of Joséphine (and by extension Josée), derived from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning “God will increase.” The suffix -ette is a typical French diminutive marker, which has given Josette a delicate, familiar quality as a standalone given name.

Usage and distribution: The name is most common in France and other French-speaking regions, including Belgium and parts of Canada. It is used in English-speaking countries less frequently, where it is often chosen for its musical, vintage associations or for connections to Francophone culture. Pronunciation in French is roughly zho-SET; in English contexts, pronunciations such as JO-set or ZHO-shet occur.

Variants and related names: Related names include Joséphine and Josée; the feminine Joséfa is used in some languages. Josette itself can function as a standalone name and is sometimes chosen as a diminutive form in informal use.

In culture: The name appears in literature and film and has been used for characters and profiles in Francophone media, reflecting its longstanding presence in French-speaking communities.