Jeannette

Jeannette is a French diminutive of Jeanne, the feminine form of Jean, which itself descends from the Latin Iohannes and ultimately from the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning God is gracious. The diminutive suffix -ette gives the name an affectionate, softened character, and the form became widely used across France and spread through English and Dutch-speaking communities. The name gained literary and cultural prominence partly through figures such as Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the United States Congress. Related forms include Jeanette, Janette, Jennette, and the masculine Jean.