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Juliet

♀ Girl

Pronounced JOO-lee-et /ˈdʒuːliɛt/High

Meaning: Youthful; dedicated to Jupiter — through the Roman family name JuliusHigh

In 30 seconds: The most romantic name in the English language, Juliet has transcended its tragic Shakespearean origins to become a symbol of passionate, youthful love. Beautiful, classic, and utterly unforgettable.
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Origin HighEnglish, Latin, French
MeaningYouthful; dedicated to Jupiter — through the Roman family name Julius
U.S. rank (2025)#274 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births1,136 girls (0.06% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 37,957

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201618802025

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

History & Origin

Juliet is an English and French diminutive of Julia, the feminine form of the Roman family name Julius, believed to derive from the Greek Ioulos (downy-bearded) or, more probably, from the name of the Roman god Jupiter. Julia and Juliet were used in France and England before Shakespeare, but his play transformed Juliet into one of the most legendary names in Western literature.

Shakespeare's Juliet Capulet made the name synonymous with romantic love and youthful ardour. The name has never left the English top tier and experienced particularly strong growth in the 21st century, entering the U.S. top 200 and continuing to climb.

Did you know? Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (c. 1594) gave Juliet immortal status, but the name itself predates the play — it is a French diminutive of Julia, from the ancient Roman gens Julia.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Juliet — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

JulietteJuliaGiulietta

Nicknames

JulesJujuJulie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Juliet Capulet (Romeo and Juliet) (c. 1594)
    Shakespeare's tragic heroine of Romeo and Juliet, the defining figure of doomed romantic love in world literature.

If you like Juliet…

Ophelia— Shakespearean tragic heroine name with the same soaring literary romanticism
Rosalind— Shakespeare comedy heroine with the same blooming feminine elegance
Aurora— three-syllable romantic name with the same ancient beauty and rising momentum
Celestine— French romantic name with the same lyrical three-syllable grace

Frequently Asked

What does the name Juliet mean?

Juliet is a French-English diminutive of Julia, from the Roman family name Julius, meaning 'youthful' or possibly 'dedicated to Jupiter.'

How do you pronounce Juliet?

It is said JOO-lee-et /ˈdʒuːliɛt/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Juliet a boy or girl name?

Juliet is used almost exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Juliet?

Juliet entered the U.S. top 200 for girls in the 2010s and continues to rise.