'Antoinetta' originates from French, specifically the word 'Antoinette', where the suffix '-ette' functioned as a diminutive meaning 'little' and 'Antoine' is the French form of the Latin name 'Antonius'.

'Antoinetta' changed from the French feminine form 'Antoinette' (a diminutive of 'Antoine'), which developed from Old French 'Antoine' and ultimately from Latin 'Antonius'; the form was later adopted into English as a female given name.

Initially it meant 'little Antoine' or 'female diminutive of Antoine' (i.e., related to 'Antonius'), but over time it evolved into a standalone female given name without a literal diminutive sense.