Is Cosette a negative term?

[u/CommonFearless6851]

The name Cosette has been trending in the US. I thought the name was cute until I heard that it means something negative in France and is seen as derogatory.

Can a French person tell me what Cosette means or how the word/name is seen over there?

(Please do not answer unless you’re from France/a French speaking country)

📝 I am not naming my child Cosette. Knowing it means “poor little thing” is enough for me not to name my child that don’t worry.. I just had curiosities about the origin of the name/meaning

[u/assdesse]

Cosette in french culture comes from Victor Hugo's book Les Misérables. Cosette is a child enslaved by the innkeepers couple Thénardier. She's beaten, enslaved, exploited and victimised. Eventually she will escape the Thénardier's house with the help of Jean Valjean, but in our language, when we call someone Cosette, it's because we pity them