Late 19th century; earliest use found in Godey's Lady's Book. From French porte-bonheur something which brings luck, amulet or talisman, type of bracelet porte- + bonheur luck.
Definition of porte-bonheur in US English:
porte-bonheur
nounˌpɔːt bɒˈnəː
rare
An amulet, or a trinket worn like an amulet.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Godey's Lady's Book. From French porte-bonheur something which brings luck, amulet or talisman, type of bracelet porte- + bonheur luck.