Scarlett
Scarlett Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
SKAR-let
Meaning of Scarlett: Scarlett derives from the Old French word escarlate, referring to a fine, bright red woolen cloth highly valued in medieval trade. The term entered Middle English as scarlat, and those who dyed, sold, or processed this expensive fabric took it as an occupational surname.
Therefore, Scarlett began as a trade name before becoming a family name and eventually a given name.
The surname Scarlett is documented in English records from the 13th century. It spread across Britain and later to colonial America with emigrating English families.
What Does Scarlett Mean? Origin & Etymology
As a given name, Scarlett remained rare until the 20th century—SSA records show almost no registered births before 1940. Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel Gone with the Wind changed everything.
According to SSA records, Scarlett entered the US top 500 in 1940 following the publication and film adaptation of Gone with the Wind.
Interest waned mid-century, then surged again after 2000—reaching rank 100 by 2010, rank 20 by 2018, and peaking at rank 14 in 2022. As of 2024, it ranks #27 with 5,894 registered births.
Scarlett Johansson, born 1984, gave the name a modern cultural anchor beyond its literary origins. Her prominence as one of Hollywood’s highest-earning actresses from the early 2000s onward kept Scarlett visible to American parents weighing it as a given name.
Notably, the name carries both Southern literary heritage and contemporary Hollywood glamour simultaneously.
Spelling variants include Scarlet (single-t), the more common early spelling, and Scarlette (French-influenced double ending). The color name Red shares semantic territory but no phonetic form. There are no widely used cross-language equivalents—Scarlett is essentially an English-language name.
How Popular Is Scarlett?
Numerology & Symbolism of Scarlett
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Scarlett – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Scarlett
What does the name Scarlett mean?
Scarlett means bright red cloth, from the Old French escarlate. It originated as an occupational surname for those who worked with expensive red woolen fabric in medieval England, then became a given name through literary and cultural associations.
Where does the name Scarlett come from?
Scarlett comes from an English occupational surname with Old French roots. It gained use as a given name following Margaret Mitchell’s novel Gone with the Wind (1936), which featured the iconic character Scarlett O’Hara.
How popular is Scarlett in the US?
Scarlett ranks #27 for girls in the US in 2024, according to SSA records, with 5,894 registered births. It peaked at rank #14 in 2022. Its rise to the top 30 accelerated through the 2010s, partly driven by actress Scarlett Johansson’s prominence.
What are variants of Scarlett?
Variants include Scarlet (single-t, an older spelling) and Scarlette (French-influenced). There are no widely used cross-language equivalents—the name is almost exclusively English in use. The color Red shares no phonetic resemblance.
Did Scarlett O’Hara influence the name’s popularity?
Yes. Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel and its 1939 film adaptation introduced Scarlett to American naming consciousness. SSA records show a notable uptick in registrations after 1940. A second wave of popularity came in the 2000s through actress Scarlett Johansson.
Scarlett – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Scarlet | English one-t variant |
| Scarlette | French-influenced English |
| Escarlet | Spanish variant |