Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Cosette
GirlFrench· “little thing”
- Meaning
- little thing
- Origin
- French
- Pronunciation
- koh-ZEHT
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,780
- US babies 2025
- 113
- Best rank
- #1,554 (2015)
- Peak year
- 2015
Meaning and origin of Cosette
Cosette is a French name that means “little thing”.
Cosette is a French name often explained as little thing, and it is best known from Victor Hugo's novel Les Misérables, published in the eighteen sixties. In the novel, Cosette is the nickname of Euphrasie, a young girl rescued by Jean Valjean, and her story is one of hope and redemption. The musical adaptation of Les Misérables has made the name familiar to many audiences. Cosette is usually pronounced koh-ZET. It has a delicate, romantic sound.
Popularity over time
Cosette first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,554 in 2015, the same year it reached its highest count of 141 babies. In 2025, 113 babies were named Cosette, and it ranked #1,780 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,392 in 1920, #5,448 in 1950, #10,717 in 1980, #2,485 in 2000, #2,873 in 2010, and #1,780 in 2025. Of the 3,080 US girls named Cosette since records began, 34% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 626 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Layna, Presleigh, Harmonie, Zaynab, and Kinzlee.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cosette ranked highest in Utah, North Carolina, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | #240 | 19 |
| North Carolina | #1081 | 8 |
| Arizona | #1083 | 5 |
| Illinois | #1457 | 5 |
| California | #1672 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Cosette is usually pronounced koh-ZEHT, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with C and ends in “-te”.
Middle names for Cosette
A few middle names that flow with Cosette: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cosette
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Lists that include Cosette
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cosette mean?
Cosette is a French name that means “little thing”.
What is the origin of the name Cosette?
Cosette has French roots. Cosette is a French name often explained as little thing, and it is best known from Victor Hugo's novel Les Misérables, published in the eighteen sixties.
Is Cosette a popular name?
Not especially. Cosette ranked #1,780 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Cosette a boy or girl name?
Cosette is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Cosette?
Cosette is usually pronounced koh-ZEHT. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings