Jett

♂ Boy

Pronounced JET /dʒɛt/High

Meaning: Jet-black gemstone; from Old French jaiet, from Latin gagates (stone of Gagai)High

In 30 seconds: A punchy one-syllable name evoking both the deep black gemstone and the speed of a jet aircraft. Bold, modern, and increasingly popular as a standalone first name.

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Origin HighOld French, Latin

MeaningJet-black gemstone; from Old French jaiet, from Latin gagates (stone of Gagai)

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 13,475

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Jett as a given name draws on two modern associations: the word jet referring to the black gemstone (from Old French jaiet, Latin gagates, named after the ancient city of Gagai in Lycia) and the modern word for a jet aircraft. As a name it gained visibility through celebrity usage — most notably, John Travolta named his son Jett in 1992.

Jett as a first name rose in the United States in the 1990s and 2000s, partly through celebrity influence and partly as part of the broader fashion for short, sharp one-syllable boys' names ending in a hard consonant. It sits comfortably alongside Beau, Colt, and Tate.

Did you know? Jet the gemstone — the deep black mineral used in Victorian mourning jewelry — was mined for centuries near Whitby, England, and is so intensely black it gave us the English phrase 'jet black.'

Variations

JetJette

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Jett Travolta (1992–2009)
Son of actor John Travolta; his naming helped popularize the name.

If you like Jett…

Beau— short, bold one-syllable name with the same cool confidence

Cole— crisp one-syllable surname-style name equally on trend

Ace— ultra-short, punchy first name in the same vein

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jett mean?

Jett refers to the deep-black gemstone jet (from Old French jaiet) and the modern word for a jet aircraft, conveying speed and intensity.

How do you pronounce Jett?

Jett is a single syllable pronounced JET (/dʒɛt/).

Is Jett a boy or girl name?

Jett is used predominantly as a boy's name.

How popular is Jett?

Jett entered the U.S. top 500 boys' names in the 1990s and has climbed into the top 300 in recent years.