Scarlett
SKAR-let · 2 syllables
♀ Female ◎ Old English ◈ 2 syllables
"Red, vibrant, scarlet cloth"

From Old English

Scarlett burns with colour and drama. Originally an occupational surname for a seller of scarlet cloth — the most expensive and vivid fabric in medieval England — it became a given name through Gone with the Wind's unforgettable Scarlett O'Hara. Scarlett Johansson has kept the name in the spotlight for the 21st century, proving it's as magnetic on screen as on the page.

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Scarlett at a glance
MeaningRed, vibrant, scarlet cloth
OriginOld English
GenderFemale
Syllables2
NumerologyLife Path 8
US Rank (today)#20
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Why parents love Scarlett
  • The colour association — rich, vivid red — makes it viscerally memorable.
  • Scarlett O'Hara is one of literature's strongest, most complex female characters.
  • Scarlett Johansson gives it modern Hollywood glamour.
  • Two syllables with a double-T punch that feels decisive.
  • It's bold without being aggressive — dramatic but not overwrought.
The vibe of Scarlett
vividdramaticboldpassionateliteraryglamorousfieryunforgettable
Origin & history of Scarlett
Old French escarlate (fine cloth) English surname Scarlett given name (via Gone with the Wind, 1936)
1
Old English roots
Scarlett originated as an English surname for someone who sold scarlet cloth — in medieval times, scarlet was the most luxurious and expensive fabric, dyed with kermes insects to achieve a deep, rich red. Margaret Mitchell chose the name for her protagonist in Gone with the Wind (1936), creating one of American literature's most iconic and complex characters. Scarlett O'Hara's fierce determination made the name synonymous with resilience. Vivien Leigh's portrayal in the 1939 film cemented its cultural weight. The name was barely used as a given name until the 2000s, when it entered the top 100 and Scarlett Johansson became one of Hollywood's biggest stars.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: As a surname from medieval England (cloth merchant); as a given name, essentially created by Margaret Mitchell for Gone with the Wind (1936).
3
Today
Scarlett remains a beloved choice, ranking #20 in the US. 106,042 babies have been named Scarlett since 1937.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, SSA data
How popular is Scarlett?
2017 peak year
Scarlett has settled into a steady rhythm — neither rising sharply nor fading, holding a consistent place in U.S. birth records. It currently ranks in the top fifty (#20), with about 6,952 babies named Scarlett each year. Its all-time peak came in 2017, when it climbed to #18 with 7,719 registrations — the heart of the 2010s. Total registrations across all years since 1880: roughly 106,042.
Year-by-year registrations 1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
7,719 Babies named in peak year
(ranked #18)
6,952 Avg. per year
(last decade)
69,520 Total registrations
last 10 years
106,042 All-time total
(since 1880)
Popularity in the US today (rank #20) Very popular
→ Holding steady in recent years
📊 Check all names registered in the United States →
Numerology of Scarlett
8
Life path number
The Achiever
Ambition, authority and material mastery.

Scarlett's Life Path 7 is the seeker's number — fitting for a name born from the richest cloth and the most complex literary heroine. People named Scarlett tend to be perceptive, independent, and unafraid of intensity. They don't do anything halfway.

Intensely perceptive
Fearlessly independent
Does nothing halfway
Commands attention naturally
Resilient under fire
S1
C3
A1
R9
L3
E5
T2
T2
Sum: 26 → Life path 8
Personality of Scarlett
💼
Built for success
They don't dream of achievement — they plan for it.
👑
Commanding presence
They walk in and people notice.
🔑
Strategic mind
Always three moves ahead.
💎
Unbreakable
Setbacks sharpen them. Resilience is in their DNA.
Names that sound like Scarlett

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Names that combine with Scarlett

Sibling pairings that share the timeless, classic energy of Scarlett.

Middle names for Scarlett

The right middle name turns Scarlett into a complete story. Explore options for first-and-middle pairings, then last-name flow.

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Numerology life path calculator

Enter any full name and date of birth to discover the life path number — a core numerological indicator of personality, purpose and destiny.

First name
Middle name (optional)
Last name
Date of birth
7
Life path number

How we calculated this
Scarlett is a beautiful choice.
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