illet

Îlet is a French toponym meaning “small island” or “islet.” It is the diminutive form of île (island) formed with the suffix -et, and the circumflex on the i (î) reflects historical spelling. In modern usage, the word may appear with or without diacritics (Îlet, Ilet, ilet) depending on typography and language context.

As a geographic label, Îlet does not denote a single place but serves as a descriptive element in the names of numerous small islands. It is especially common in Francophone regions and former French territories, where many islets are identified in coastal and archipelago settings. The use of Îlet reflects historical French influence on maritime toponymy and Creole-speaking communities in these areas.

In reference works and maps, the component is typically preserved as part of a proper name, though English-language sources may anglicize it to Ilet or translate it as Islet when necessary. The term is closely related to other French terms for landmasses: île (island) and îlot (a smaller or more diminutive islet).

See also: Île, îlot.