Gawnette

In Gregory Maguire's first Wicked novel, the feminine name Gawnette is given to a character who represents a common thread. Dwelling in a humble home in Rush Margins, Gawnette is an older woman who runs a kind of babysitting business, looking after local children in exchange for money. When young Elphaba is brought to Gawnette's door, she, like many, can't believe the rumors of the child's "verdigris" are true. Though somewhat reluctant to allow Elphaba to come in and play with the other children, Gawnette relents when reminded that there'll be a payment.

Later in the novel, we learn that Munchkin boy and Shiz University student Boq was one of the children who played at Gawnette's home, and that he remembers Elphaba from that time. Elphaba isn't quite trusting of anyone at this point in the story, but she knows exactly what Boq is speaking of. While Maguire's reasons for choosing the name Gawnette are unknown, he could have been inspired by English words like "gaunt" or "gone." This moniker also ends with -ette, a suffix that gives it a delightful air when spoken aloud.