Babette

Babette is a French diminutive of Barbara, which derives from the Greek Barbaros, meaning foreign or strange, originally used by ancient Greeks to describe those who did not speak Greek. The name entered widespread use across Europe through Saint Barbara, a legendary Christian martyr venerated since late antiquity. Babette gained particular cultural prominence through Karen Blixen's 1950 novella Babette's Feast, later adapted into an acclaimed film. Related forms include Barbara, Bärbel, and Barbe.