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Violet

♀ Girl

Pronounced VY-uh-let /ˈvaɪ.ə.lɪt/High

Meaning: The violet flower; purple-colored; from Latin violaHigh

In 30 seconds: From the Latin for the violet flower, Violet is a color and floral name with Victorian charm. After a century-long rest, it has surged back into the U.S. top 20.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningThe violet flower; purple-colored; from Latin viola
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 137,149

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201618802017

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

History & Origin

Violet derives from the Latin viola, the name of the small purple flower. The violet has been a symbol of modesty, faithfulness, and love since antiquity. The name was used in the medieval period and became especially popular in the Victorian era alongside other flower names.

Violet was a top-50 U.S. girls' name in the early 20th century, then declined steeply through the mid-century. Celebrity usage — notably Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck named their daughter Violet in 2005 — helped spark its revival. It re-entered the U.S. top 100 around 2011 and the top 20 by the 2020s.

Did you know? Violet was one of the most popular flower names of the Victorian era, when naming daughters after flowers was fashionable. After falling out of use for most of the 20th century, it staged one of the more dramatic revivals in recent naming history.

Variations

ViolaVioletteVioleta

Nicknames

ViVioLettie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Violet Constance Jessop (1887–1971)
    Ocean liner stewardess who survived the sinkings of the Titanic and Britannic.

If you like Violet…

Hazel— shares the Victorian nature-name revival charm
Evelyn— equally Edwardian-era classic making a strong comeback
Iris— fellow flower name with the same resurgent Victorian appeal
Eleanor— shares the dignified vintage elegance

Frequently Asked

What does the name Violet mean?

Violet comes from the Latin viola, meaning the violet flower — a small purple bloom historically associated with modesty and faithfulness.

How do you pronounce Violet?

Violet is said VY-uh-let /ˈvaɪ.ə.lɪt/ — three syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Violet a boy or girl name?

Violet is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Violet?

Violet entered the U.S. top 20 girls' names around 2021 after a remarkable revival from near-obscurity, one of the more dramatic comebacks in recent naming history.