Scarlett

At a Glance: Name: Scarlett – Meaning: originally referred to a dyer or trader of 'scarlet,' a fine woolen cloth — only later did the word come to mean the color red itself – Origin: English (occupational surname for a dyer/seller of 'scarlet' cloth) – Gender: Girl – Pronunciation: SKAR-lit

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Scarlett has a romantic, storybook feel and a classic pedigree, but the name's backstory is more textile than technicolor: it began as an English occupational surname for someone who dyed or sold 'scarlet' cloth, a fine woolen fabric. The color came later, borrowed from that same fabric's name — so if you've heard Scarlett simply means 'red,' the fabric came first and the color followed. Pronounced SKAR-lit, it's a name with a craftsman's history behind its bright surface.

Meaning & Origin of Scarlett

Meaning: Originally referred to a dyer or trader of 'scarlet,' a fine woolen cloth — only later did the word come to mean the color red itself.

Origin: English (occupational surname for a dyer/seller of 'scarlet' cloth).

A common claim: Scarlett means 'red' or 'bright red.' Actually: Scarlett is popularly understood simply as 'red,' but the surname actually named someone who dyed or sold 'scarlet' cloth — the fabric came first, and gave rise to, the color association.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Scarlett

Phonetic: SKAR-lit   IPA: /ˈskɑːrlɪt/

Popularity of Scarlett

Scarlett peaked at #14 in 2022 with 7,256 babies given the name, and has eased slightly since to #27 in 2024 with 5,894.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1937–2024.

Make Scarlett Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Scarlett, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

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FAQ

What does the name Scarlett mean?

Originally referred to a dyer or trader of ‘scarlet,’ a fine woolen cloth — only later did the word come to mean the color red itself. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Scarlett)

How do you pronounce Scarlett?

Scarlett is pronounced SKAR-lit (IPA: /ˈskɑːrlɪt/).

Is Scarlett a popular name right now?

Scarlett peaked at #14 in 2022 and is ranked #27 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1937–2024.)

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