The spelling of the word "Croteau" is derived from its French origins. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /kroʊˈtoʊ/. The "c" is pronounced as /k/, the "r" as /r/, the "o" as /oʊ/, and finally, the "eau" is pronounced as /toʊ/. This surname is common among French Canadians and was originally used to refer to someone who lived near a cross or a crucifix. Today, it is a widely popular last name across the world.