French diminutive of Fanny, itself from Frances meaning "free one" or "from France."
Fannette is a French diminutive of Fanny, which itself comes from Frances, meaning free one or from France. The added French ending gives the name a more elaborate and elegant texture than the simpler Fanny forms.
It feels dainty, vintage, and slightly aristocratic. Fannette has the quality of a name that belonged naturally to an earlier era of pet forms and refined diminutives. Its rarity now gives it a nostalgic charm, with enough softness to feel affectionate and enough structure to feel complete.