Scarlett Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SKAR-let //ˈskɑːrlɪt//
Origin: English; Latin
Meaning: English: red; Latin: scarlet
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Scarlett is derived from the Middle English word "scarlet," which refers to a rich, bright red color. This term itself traces back to the Old French "escarlate," which originated from the Latin "scarlatum," a term used to denote a type of cloth dyed in a vivid red hue, often associated with luxury and wealth.
The etymological roots can be further traced to the Greek word "skarlatos," which also pertains to the color red, indicating a long-standing association with vividness and opulence in textiles. The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when French influence permeated the English language, bringing with it a variety of color terms, including those related to clothing and fabric.
Historically, the name Scarlett has been associated with various cultural and literary milestones. One notable figure is Scarlett O'Hara, the protagonist of Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel "Gone with the Wind," which has had a significant impact on American literature and culture.
The character embodies themes of resilience and determination, which have contributed to the name's enduring appeal. Additionally, the color scarlet has been linked to various historical contexts, such as its use in ecclesiastical vestments and its representation of power and authority in medieval Europe, where it was often worn by nobility and clergy.
Culturally, the name Scarlett evokes connotations of passion, strength, and beauty, often symbolizing a fiery spirit. The name has also been used in various artistic expressions, reinforcing its connection to vibrant imagery and emotional depth.
While diminutive forms such as Scar or Letty may arise in informal contexts, the name Scarlett itself carries a weight of historical significance and cultural resonance that has allowed it to endure through the centuries.
Famous people named Scarlett
In this section, you will find notable people named Scarlett. 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 Scarlett who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Scarlett 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.
Scarlett Johansson is an actress best known for Lost in Translation, The Avengers, and Marriage Story.
Scarlett O'Hara is a fictional character best known as the protagonist in the novel Gone with the Wind.
Fictional characters named Scarlett
The following list of fictional characters named Scarlett 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.
Scarlett O'Hara is a fictional character from the novel and film Gone with the Wind. She is a strong-willed Southern belle who struggles to maintain her family's plantation during the American Civil War.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Scarlett, 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 Scarlett. 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 Scarlett was first seen in the United States in 1937.
Scarlett has ranked as high as #60 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Scarlett has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Scarlett 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 Scarlett was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Scarlett (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 | 710 | |
| TX | 634 | |
| NY | 319 | |
| FL | 278 | |
| PA | 233 | |
| NC | 207 | |
| OH | 203 | |
| GA | 188 | |
| IL | 185 | |
| NJ | 169 | |
| TN | 157 | |
| VA | 149 | |
| IN | 144 | |
| AZ | 129 | |
| WI | 122 |
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 Scarlett.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5,894 |
| 2023 | 6,311 |
| 2022 | 7,256 |
| 2021 | 6,627 |
| 2020 | 6,518 |
| 2019 | 7,084 |
| 2018 | 7,223 |
| 2017 | 7,719 |
| 2016 | 7,716 |
| 2015 | 7,143 |
| 2014 | 6,010 |
| 2013 | 5,053 |
| 2012 | 4,045 |
| 2011 | 3,564 |
| 2010 | 2,717 |
| 2009 | 1,922 |
| 2008 | 1,621 |
| 2007 | 1,583 |
| 2006 | 1,116 |
| 2005 | 733 |
| 2004 | 538 |
| 2003 | 327 |
| 2002 | 290 |
| 2001 | 237 |
| 2000 | 227 |
| 1999 | 245 |
| 1998 | 254 |
| 1997 | 231 |
| 1996 | 248 |
| 1995 | 272 |
| 1994 | 235 |
| 1993 | 250 |
| 1992 | 204 |
| 1991 | 152 |
| 1990 | 167 |
| 1989 | 138 |
| 1988 | 132 |
| 1987 | 152 |
| 1986 | 137 |
| 1985 | 112 |
| 1984 | 124 |
| 1983 | 91 |
| 1982 | 87 |
| 1981 | 113 |
| 1980 | 122 |
| 1979 | 108 |
| 1978 | 87 |
| 1977 | 133 |
| 1976 | 96 |
| 1975 | 53 |
| 1974 | 85 |
| 1973 | 74 |
| 1972 | 87 |
| 1971 | 92 |
| 1970 | 107 |
| 1969 | 89 |
| 1968 | 101 |
| 1967 | 78 |
| 1966 | 76 |
| 1965 | 103 |
| 1964 | 113 |
| 1963 | 115 |
| 1962 | 131 |
| 1961 | 114 |
| 1960 | 68 |
| 1959 | 49 |
| 1958 | 59 |
| 1957 | 68 |
| 1956 | 75 |
| 1955 | 96 |
| 1954 | 46 |
| 1953 | 37 |
| 1952 | 34 |
| 1951 | 39 |
| 1950 | 57 |
| 1949 | 53 |
| 1948 | 65 |
| 1947 | 43 |
| 1946 | 46 |
| 1945 | 34 |
| 1944 | 45 |
| 1943 | 68 |
| 1942 | 76 |
| 1941 | 77 |
| 1940 | 59 |
| 1939 | 7 |
| 1938 | 6 |
| 1937 | 7 |