odette

Odette is a feminine given name of French origin. It is used in various countries and languages, often carrying associations with elegance and classic European naming traditions. The name has several variants and is sometimes linked to older or related names such as Odile.

The name is most famously associated with Odette, the heroine of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake. In the ballet, Odette is a princess who is transformed into a swan by the sorcerer Rothbart and can be restored to human form only by enduring love and fidelity. Odile, the opposite character known as the Black Swan, serves as the antagonist in the story and creates the central conflict for Odette and the prince.

In modern usage, Odette appears in many cultures as a given name for girls. Notable individuals with the name include Odette Annable, an American actress who was born Odette Yustman in 1985. The name remains relatively less common in some regions but continues to appear in literature, film, and music as a recognizable European given name.