Lynette is a feminine given name that entered the English lexicon through literature, most notably used by Alfred Tennyson in his 1872 poem Gareth and Lynette. In the poem, Lynette is the sister of Lyonesse, and though initially disdainful of Gareth, she eventually marries him. Tennyson’s poem popularized the name, which is a variant of Lynet, a form found in earlier Arthurian romances.Etymology and Literary OriginsThe roots of Lynette trace back through a chain of Arthurian adaptations. The immediate predecessor is Lynet, used by Thomas Malory in the 15th-century Le Morte d'Arthur, where Lynet is a woman who enlists Sir Gareth to rescue her sister Lyonesse, later marrying Gareth’s brother Gaheris. Malory likely derived Lynet from Lunete, a name used by the 12th-century French poet Chrétien de Troyes in his poem Yvain, the Knight of the Lion, where Lunete is a servant to the Lady of the Fountain. Lunete itself is a form of Eluned, a Welsh name derived from eilun meaning "image, likeness, idol." Eluned was the name of a legendary 5th-century Welsh saint, one of the supposed daughters of Brychan Brycheiniog.Cultural Usage and VariantsIn modern times, Lynette is also regarded as a diminutive of Lynn, a name of English origin meaning "lake." The name has several spelling variants, including Linette, Lynnette, Linnet, Linnette, and Arthurian forms like Linet and Luned. In Welsh, related forms include Eluned, Luned, and Eiluned.Notable bearers of Lynette or its variant Lynnette include Lynette Boggs, an American politician; Lynnette Cole, Miss USA 2000; Lynette Fromme, a former prisoner associated with the Manson Family; Lynette Roberts, a Welsh poet; and Lynette Curran, an Australian actress. The name has enjoyed sustained if modest popularity in English-speaking countries.Meaning: "image, likeness, idol" (ultimately from Welsh eilun)Origin: Welsh, via Arthurian literatureType: First name, feminineUsage regions: English-speaking countries, Arthurian legend