Scarlett
SKAR-lit /ˈskɑːr.lɪt/
Meaning of Scarlett
Scarlett began as an Old French occupational surname for someone who dyed or sold rich red cloth — escarlate, a fine medieval fabric. The first-name use is largely 20th-century, propelled into popularity by Margaret Mitchell's Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind (1936) and into top-100 use by the rise of actor Scarlett Johansson in the 2000s.
Current popularity of Scarlett
Rankings from the most recent fully-published year in each national registry. Source links at the foot of the page.
| Registry | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| United States (SSA) | 2024 | #20 |
Notable bearers of Scarlett
Scarlett O'Hara (Gone with the Wind, 1936); Scarlett Johansson.
Similar names & variants
Cognates, spelling variants and close relatives. Click any name with an underline to read its own page.
Sibling-name suggestions
Names that pair stylistically with Scarlett — useful as middle names or for siblings.
About this entry
Compiled by the Baby Name Finder editorial team following the rules in our Methodology and Editorial guidelines. If you spot an error, please tell us; our corrections policy is at /editorial-guidelines#corrections.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31