Babette
Primarily a girl's name of Hebrew origin with 3,277 recorded births. Also given to 5 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name.
Babette is a girl's and boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a French diminutive of Barbara or Elisabeth — Barbara from the Greek barbaros (foreign) or Elisabeth from the Hebrew meaning 'my God is an oath.' The -ette suffix adds a delicate French elegance.
The 1987 Danish film Babette's Feast — about a French chef who creates an extraordinary meal in a small Norwegian village — made Babette a name associated with passionate artistry and generous, transformative cooking. A name with cinematic and culinary romance.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Babette is rooted in the Hebrew tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1891 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Babette’s 3,277 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Babette has 91+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1891.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 10 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 7 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 25 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 96 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 280 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 1,172 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 728 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 304 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 204 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 284 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 146 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 11 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 5 | — |
The Story of Babette
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1961, Babette is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Babette are most likely born between 1951 and 1971.
How rare is Babette?
With 3,277 total births on record, Babette remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1891, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1960s with 1,172 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Babette by the numbers
- Would fill 68 school buses
- Meeting one Babette per day would take 9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(91 years, 1891–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | #15538 |
| 2021 | 5 | #15607 |
| 2013 | 7 | #13387 |
| 2006 | 5 | #17519 |
| 1995 | 7 | #10643 |
| 1992 | 7 | #10607 |
| 1991 | 6 | #11661 |
| 1990 | 5 | #13189 |
| 1989 | 5 | #12580 |
| 1988 | 5 | #11989 |
| 1987 | 9 | #7418 |
| 1986 | 6 | #9664 |
| 1985 | 8 | #7624 |
| 1984 | 8 | #7467 |
| 1983 | 17 | #4299 |
| 1982 | 13 | #5236 |
| 1981 | 11 | #5912 |
| 1980 | 14 | #4996 |
| 1979 | 19 | #3918 |
| 1978 | 15 | #4472 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Babette as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Babette has also been given to 5 boys in the U.S. since 1961.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Babette a boy's or girl's name?
When was Babette most popular?
How popular is the name Babette?
Can Babette be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1891–2023