Find out how popular the first name Scarlett has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Scarlett by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Scarlett is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Scarlett being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6,288 female babies and 6 male babies born with the name Scarlett.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 6 baby boys were named Scarlett in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Scarlett

The name Scarlett has its origins in the Old French word "escarlate", which in turn derives from the Persian word "saqalāt", meaning a rich fabric or cloth dyed with a deep red color. This association with the vivid red hue explains the name's connection to the intense red shade known as scarlet.

The name Scarlett is believed to have first emerged in England during the Middle Ages, when it was used as a descriptive surname for individuals who worked with or traded in the vibrant scarlet-colored cloth. Over time, the surname transitioned into a first name, particularly for girls.

One of the earliest recorded instances of Scarlett as a given name can be found in the 16th century. In 1592, a Scarlett Burgoyne was recorded in the parish registers of St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in London.

Throughout history, the name Scarlett has been borne by several notable individuals. One of the most famous was Scarlett O'Hara, the fictional protagonist of Margaret Mitchell's renowned novel "Gone With the Wind" published in 1936. This iconic literary character played a significant role in popularizing the name in the 20th century.

Another prominent figure with the name Scarlett was Scarlett Pomers (born 1988), an American actress best known for her role as Kyra Hart on the television series "Reba".

In the realm of literature, Scarlett Thomas (born 1972) is a British author and professor, known for her novels such as "Bright Young Things" and "The Seed Collectors".

Scarlett Johansson (born 1984) is a celebrated American actress who has received numerous accolades, including a Tony Award and a British Academy Film Award. She is best known for her roles in films like "Lost in Translation", "The Avengers" series, and "Marriage Story".

Lastly, Scarlett Byrne (born 1990) is a British actress and model, best recognized for her portrayal of Pansy Parkinson in the "Harry Potter" film series.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Scarlett, a name that has transcended its original association with a vivid red hue to become a popular given name in its own right.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Scarlett was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Scarlett, please contact us.

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