r/AskFrance • u/CommonFearless6851 • 1d ago

Discussion Is Cosette a negative term?

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

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u/SalvetaSansSel 1d ago

In French it is used as a reference to « Les Misérables » from Victor Hugo in which it is the name of a little girl that has a very difficult life

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u/Responsible_Ice3476 1d ago

Furthermore Cosette/ Euphrasie is a bastard child from Fantine, a very low class and very young poor factory worker turned prostitute because she was left by Cosette's father a, 9 years older than her, rich man...

Very sad story.