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Violet Girl

Popularity: #15 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationVY-oh-let / ˈvaɪ.əl.ɪt

Latin; English

Meaning

Latin: purple flower; English: the color purple

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Violet originates from the Latin word "viola," which refers to the violet flower. This Latin term evolved from the earlier Proto-Indo-European root *weu-, meaning "to be green" or "to flourish," reflecting the flower's vibrant color and association with nature. The name made its way into Old French as "violette" before entering the English language in the late Middle Ages, where it was used both as a name and a reference to the flower itself.

Historically, the name Violet has been associated with various cultural and literary milestones. It appears in medieval texts and was notably used in the 17th century by Shakespeare in his play "Hamlet," where the character Ophelia refers to violets as symbols of innocence and faithfulness. The name gained further prominence in the 19th century, particularly in the context of the Romantic movement, which celebrated nature and its beauty, often using floral names as metaphors for femininity and virtue. Additionally, the name has been borne by several notable figures, including Violet, the daughter of the famous British author and playwright George Bernard Shaw, who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Culturally, the violet flower has been imbued with various symbolic meanings throughout history, including modesty, humility, and love. In the language of flowers, violets are often associated with loyalty and devotion, which has contributed to the name's enduring appeal. The diminutive form "Vi" has also been used affectionately, though it is less common in historical texts. Overall, the name Violet encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance, reflecting both the beauty of nature and the virtues associated with it.

Trend Summary

Violet has experienced a resurgence in popularity in the United States, ranking within the top 100 names for girls in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Violette
  • Violeta

International Variants

  • Violette (French)
  • Violeta (Spanish)
  • Violetta (Italian)

Famous people named Violet

Violet Beauregarde is a character best known for Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Violet Chachki is a drag performer best known for RuPaul's Drag Race and her music career.

Violet Evergarden is a fictional character best known for the anime series Violet Evergarden.

Violet Jessop is known for being a stewardess and nurse aboard the RMS Titanic and its sister ships.

Violet McGraw is an actress best known for The Haunting of Hill House and Black Widow.

Fictional characters named Violet

Violet Beauregarde is a fictional character from the book and film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She is one of the children who wins a tour of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory and is known for her competitive nature and obsession with chewing gum.

Violet Parr is a fictional character from the animated film The Incredibles. She is a teenage superhero with the ability to become invisible and create force fields, playing a crucial role in her family's adventures.

Violet Evergarden is a fictional character from the light novel and anime series Violet Evergarden. She is a former soldier who becomes a letter writer, seeking to understand the meaning of love and her own emotions after the war.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Violet was first seen in the United States in 1880. Violet has ranked as high as #49 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Violet has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Violet (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 741
11%
TX 631
9%
FL 363
5%
NY 328
5%
OH 305
5%
IL 264
4%
PA 255
4%
NC 217
3%
WA 192
3%
WI 190
3%
IN 182
3%
VA 176
3%
AZ 176
3%
MO 174
3%
TN 172
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188042
188142
188248
188374
188481
188592
1886103
188797
1888145
1889155
1890183
1891188
1892238
1893254
1894286
1895316
1896354
1897411
1898411
1899435
1900614
1901611
1902649
1903636
1904755
1905831
1906830
1907956
19081,017
1909945
19101,037
19111,183
19121,535
19131,751
19142,061
19152,752
19162,921
19173,026
19183,294
19193,597
19203,694
19213,469
19223,194
19233,276
19243,224
19253,032
19262,903
19272,694
19282,322
19292,214
19302,098
19311,750
19321,692
19331,517
19341,370
19351,274
19361,153
19371,139
1938959
1939911
1940783
1941780
1942803
1943711
1944636
1945588
1946614
1947626
1948529
1949483
1950519
1951461
1952427
1953422
1954450
1955408
1956366
1957387
1958384
1959328
1960320
1961317
1962292
1963244
1964230
1965212
1966210
1967152
1968141
1969138
1970140
1971143
1972109
1973133
1974132
1975113
1976113
1977127
1978115
1979119
1980141
1981147
1982150
1983141
1984138
1985142
1986125
1987144
1988133
1989133
1990127
1991133
1992143
1993142
1994159
1995162
1996161
1997183
1998234
1999255
2000316
2001381
2002419
2003468
2004482
2005846
20061,268
20071,538
20081,830
20092,262
20102,570
20112,902
20123,283
20133,935
20144,191
20154,822
20164,881
20174,739
20184,829
20195,416
20205,128
20215,521
20226,471
20236,364
20246,972