Antoinette
/ɑ̃.twa.nɛt/feminine
Antoinette is the French form of the female given name Antoinette.
The name is a feminine French given name.
Meaning: female given name from French Antoinette (name)
Which one should you use?
While Antoinette is the standard form, Toinette is an informal version of the name.
How do you pronounce it?
It has 3 syllables: /ɑ̃.twa.nɛt/.
Did you know?
- While Toinette is a friendly nickname, using it for a stranger in France would be considered an unexpected breach of etiquette, as French social norms strictly separate formal and informal naming.
- The suffix -ette in Antoinette is a diminutive, meaning the name literally translates to 'little Antoine'.
- In older French literature, names ending in -ette like Antoinette were often used to characterize characters who were perceived as dainty, youthful or playful.
Examples in context
- La phrase « Qu'ils mangent de la brioche ! » a été attribuée à tort à Marie-Antoinette.The phrase "Let them eat cake!" was misattributed to Marie Antoinette.This sentence shows how the phrase was misattributed to Antoinette.Tatoeba #13722072 by Adelpa, translation #11715798 by ddnktr
- Bonjour, Antoinette. Comment allez-vous aujourd'hui?Hello, Antoinette. How are you today?
- Madame Antoinette, je suis ravi de vous rencontrer.Madame Antoinette, I am delighted to meet you.
- Toinette, tu peux me passer le sel, s'il te plaît?Toinette, can you pass me the salt, please?
- Je connais une fille qui s'appelle Antoinette.I know a girl named Antoinette.
- Antoinette est une très jolie femme.Antoinette is a very pretty woman.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are talking about a new coworker.
- LucasEst-ce que tu as parlé à la nouvelle ?Did you talk to the new girl?
- ChloéOui, elle s'appelle Antoinette.Yes, her name is Antoinette.
- LucasEst-ce qu'Antoinette est sympathique ?Is Antoinette nice?
- ChloéOui, elle est vraiment adorable.Yes, she is really lovely.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “antoinette” translations and entries Antoinette, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Antoinette, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
