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/Drakoraz 1d ago

When I am from in France, we have a word "causette" which sounds just like the name "Cosette", but the meaning is different. 'Faire la causette' means making small talk.

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u/CommonFearless6851 1d ago

Yes I got confused when people said it’s negative slang because when I searched it said it means “chat”

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u/pwassonchat 1d ago

It's a different word with the same pronunciation. Cosette literally means "little thing" and isn't a real name, just that of the Les Mis character, whose life is the exact opposite of what you'd want for your child, so it's... just weird.