Nanette
Girl name · English · French · Hebrew
Meaninggrace · French form of Anne
Nanette is an English and French girl name meaning “grace”. It's a form of Anne, so it shares that name's history while sounding a little different. French names have a soft, elegant sound that has made them popular well beyond France. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Famous Nanette
Nanette Fabray
American actress, singer and dancer (1920-2018)
A ready-made answer when someone asks “Nanette, like who?” Nanette Fabray's Wikipedia article is in 27 languages. Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Photo: NBC Television, Public domain (opens in a new tab), via Wikimedia Commons
Did you know?
- AnagramShuffle the letters of Nanette and you get Annette. Same letters, different name.
- GenerationNanette peaked in 1956, which makes it a classic Baby Boomer name. The typical Nanette you'd meet today is about 69 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Nanette would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 270,270 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryNanette first shows up in US birth records in 1892, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 133 years since.
US births per million girls, 1892–2025
Similar names
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Nanette
Nanette is a girl name of English, French and Hebrew origin meaning “grace”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It was most fashionable in the 1950s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:English namesFrench namesHebrew names
Other spellings of Nanette
More English girl names
- Girl name: Olivia · olive tree
- Girl name: Charlotte · free
- Unisex name: Harper · harp player
- Girl name: Elizabeth · God is my oath
- Girl name: Lily · lily flower
- Girl name: Lucy · light
- Girl name: Lainey · possibly light
- Girl name: Scarlett · scarlet red
Questions about the name Nanette
What does the name Nanette mean?
Nanette means “grace” and comes from French, as a form of Anne. Names built around “grace” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Grace (“grace”), Hannah (“grace, favor”), Amara (“grace”) and Anna (“grace”).
What is the origin of the name Nanette?
Nanette is English, French and Hebrew in origin. Names often travel between languages and cultures, which is why Nanette turns up in more than one tradition. Other English names to consider are Olivia (“olive tree”), Charlotte (“free”), Harper (“harp player”) and Elizabeth (“God is my oath”).
Is Nanette a boy or girl name?
Nanette is a girl name. In 2025, 6 US girls were named Nanette.
How popular is the name Nanette?
Nanette ranked #13,208 for US girls in 2025, given to 6 babies. Its best year was 1956, when it reached #319. Over the last five years it has slipped 3,662 places.
What names are similar to Nanette?
If you like Nanette, you might also like Nannette, Grace, Hannah, Amara and Anna. Nannette is another spelling of the same name.
What should I know before naming my baby Nanette?
Nanette is an English and French girl name meaning “grace”. It's a form of Anne, so it shares that name's history while sounding a little different. French names have a soft, elegant sound that has made them popular well beyond France. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.