Jet Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: jet //dʒɛt//
Origin: English; Dutch
Meaning: English: jet black; Dutch: a type of coal
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jet is believed to have originated from the Old French word "jeton," which means "to throw" or "to cast." This term itself is derived from the Latin "jacere," meaning "to throw." The name entered the English language through the influence of Norman French following the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century. Over time, the name Jet has also been associated with the dark, lignite gemstone known as jet, which has been used in jewelry since antiquity and was particularly popular during the Victorian era for mourning jewelry.
Historically, the name Jet has been linked to various cultural and artistic expressions. In the 19th century, the gemstone jet gained prominence due to its use in the creation of elaborate mourning pieces, especially after the death of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, in 1861.
This association with mourning and remembrance contributed to the name's resonance in Victorian society. Additionally, the name Jet has appeared in literature and art, often symbolizing speed and dynamism, reflecting the qualities of the gemstone and its etymological roots.
Culturally, the name Jet evokes images of strength and resilience, qualities that have made it appealing across different contexts. The name's association with the gemstone also lends it a sense of timelessness and connection to the earth, as jet is formed from the fossilized wood of ancient trees.
While diminutive forms like Jett have emerged, the name Jet itself carries a straightforward and robust character, embodying both historical significance and a sense of natural beauty.
Famous people named Jet
In this section, you will find notable people named Jet. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Jet who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Jet who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Jet Li is an actor and martial artist best known for Hero, Once Upon a Time in China, and The Expendables.
Jet Black is a musician best known as the drummer for the band The Stranglers.
Jet Tila is a chef and television personality best known for his appearances on Food Network and his expertise in Thai cuisine.
Fictional characters named Jet
The following list of fictional characters named Jet is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Jet is a fictional character from the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. He is a charismatic leader of a group of rebels known as the Freedom Fighters, fighting against the Fire Nation's oppression.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jet, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Jet. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jet was first seen in the United States in 1959.
Jet has ranked as high as #1201 nationally, which occurred in 2019, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Utah, and Arizona.
In the past 5 years the name Jet has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Jet is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Jet was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Jet (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 18 | |
| TX | 13 | |
| FL | 11 | |
| UT | 10 | |
| GA | 7 | |
| HI | 7 | |
| MN | 6 | |
| MO | 6 | |
| MI | 5 | |
| AZ | 5 | |
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Jet.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 140 |
| 2023 | 145 |
| 2022 | 162 |
| 2021 | 157 |
| 2020 | 137 |
| 2019 | 171 |
| 2018 | 147 |
| 2017 | 132 |
| 2016 | 148 |
| 2015 | 148 |
| 2014 | 140 |
| 2013 | 141 |
| 2012 | 150 |
| 2011 | 142 |
| 2010 | 132 |
| 2009 | 120 |
| 2008 | 122 |
| 2007 | 98 |
| 2006 | 99 |
| 2005 | 118 |
| 2004 | 72 |
| 2003 | 56 |
| 2002 | 55 |
| 2001 | 63 |
| 2000 | 56 |
| 1999 | 27 |
| 1998 | 29 |
| 1997 | 17 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 1993 | 8 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1979 | 6 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1961 | 6 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1959 | 5 |