Toinon / Antoine / Antoinette

Toinon is a diminutive form, primarily French, derived from Antoine or Antoinette, which themselves come from the Roman family name Antonius. The Antonius gens was a prominent plebeian family in ancient Rome. The etymology of Antonius is debated, but it is most commonly linked to the Greek 'anthos' (flower) or Latin 'ante' (before), though the most widely accepted meaning is 'invaluable' or 'praiseworthy'.

Over centuries, Antoine and Antoinette became extremely popular names in France and other Romance-speaking countries. The diminutive suffix '-on' is a common way to form affectionate or smaller versions of names in French, making Toinon a familiar and endearing variant. While historically more often a nickname for Antoinette, it has seen some use for boys as well, particularly in certain regions of France, contributing to its unisex classification.