'Antoinette' originates from French, specifically formed as the feminine diminutive of 'Antoine' (from Latin 'Antonius'), where the suffix '-ette' meant 'little' or 'female diminutive'.

'Antoinette' developed in French as a feminine/diminutive form of 'Antoine' (itself from Latin 'Antonius') and was adopted into English as a proper female given name, notably through historical figures such as Marie Antoinette.

Initially it meant 'little Antoine' or 'female form of Antoine', but over time it has come to be used simply as a female given name, often associated in English with the historical figure Marie Antoinette.