"bright red, vivid crimson"
Origin: English
Language: English
Scarlet
Pronunciation: [ sk-AHRL-uht ]
Does Scarlet flow with your last name?
A bold color name as vivid as the hue itself
English
American
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Bold
Modern
Strong
Playful
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Scarlet
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"rich cloth dyed red"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
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Things to Know About This Name
- The Scarlet Letter (1850) by Hawthorne associated the color scarlet with shame and adultery — fading cultural awareness reduces this concern
The Story of Scarlet
Scarlet as a color name derives from the Old French 'escarlate' and Persian 'saqalat,' referring to a rich cloth dyed with kermes (a red dye made from insects). The color became associated with wealth and power because the dye was enormously expensive. As a given name, Scarlet/Scarlett is a 20th-century development, part of the broader trend of color and nature names for girls.
The single-t spelling Scarlet and the double-t Scarlett have both risen rapidly since the 2000s. Actress Scarlett Johansson made the double-t version famous, while Scarlet is the cleaner single-t variant. Both spellings combined rank among the top 30 girls' names in the US.
Red has historically symbolized passion, power, and courage — making Scarlet feel bold and memorable. The color appears in the flags of many nations and in royal robes. The name gained literary associations through Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind.
Historical Record
Scarlet first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 16,899 babies have been named Scarlet in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Scarlet is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #489 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Scarlet dye was so valuable in medieval Europe that it was used as currency in some trade agreements
- Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With the Wind was originally named Pansy before Margaret Mitchell changed it
Scarlet in Other Languages
French
Écarlate
German
Scharlach
Italian
Scarlatto
Spanish
Escarlata
Portuguese
Escarlate
Popularity Over Time
#489
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Scarlet
S
Scarlett Johansson
Actor
1984
American actress and highest-grossing actress of all time, known for Black Widow and Lost in Translation
S
Scarlett O'Hara Fictional
Other
Iconic protagonist of Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, the determined Southern belle
S
Scarlet Witch Fictional
Other
Marvel superhero Wanda Maximoff, one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel universe
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #489
- Total SSA Count
- 622
- Cultural Origins
- English American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Scar
Lettie
Carly
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Scarlet
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Scarlet
What does the name Scarlet mean?
"bright red, vivid crimson" (from English). "rich cloth dyed red" (from Old French). Scarlet as a color name derives from the Old French 'escarlate' and Persian 'saqalat,' referring to a rich cloth dyed with kermes (a red dye made from insects). The color became associated with wealth and power because the dye was enormously expensive. As a given name, Scarlet/Scarlett is a 20th-century development, part of the broader trend of color and nature names for girls.
What is the origin of the name Scarlet?
Scarlet has English, Old French, American, and Australian origins. In English, it means "bright red, vivid crimson". In Old French, it means "rich cloth dyed red".
Is Scarlet a boy or girl name?
Scarlet is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Scarlet?
Scarlet is pronounced sk-AHRL-uht.
How popular is the name Scarlet?
Scarlet is currently ranked #489 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Scarlet?
Common nicknames for Scarlet include Scar, Lettie, and Carly.
What are good middle names for Scarlet?
Popular middle name pairings include Scarlet Rose, Scarlet Mae, Scarlet Jane, Scarlet Jade, Scarlet Quinn, Scarlet Faye, and Scarlet Wren.
What are good sibling names for Scarlet?
Names that pair well with Scarlet as siblings include Violet, Jasper, Ruby, August, Ivy, Phoenix, and Indigo.
How many syllables does Scarlet have?
Scarlet has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Scarlet a common or rare name?
Scarlet is a popular name, ranked #489 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Scarlet?
About the Name Scarlet
Scarlet is a girl name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "bright red, vivid crimson" in English .
Scarlet is currently ranked #489 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Scarlet has 2 syllables and is pronounced sk-AHRL-uht, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Scarlet include Scar, Lettie, and Carly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Scarlet include Scarlett, Scarlette, Scarleth . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis