Names Inspired by Scarlett

Scarlett began as an occupational surname for makers of the scarlet cloth. In the seventeenth century, it entered sparing use as a unisex name. During the late 1930s, Gone with the Wind brought Scarlett to attention as an exclusively feminine name. Scarlett slowly increased in use throughout most of the 1900s, entering and exiting the top 1000. After 2003, Scarlett Johansson's breakout year, Scarlett soared up the charts. It made the top 100 in 2011 and has hovered in the top 25 since 2015. 

Scarlett is rustic and literary. It also brings up two prominent women: Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind and actress Scarlett Johansson. Scarlett is dangerous, romantic, and bold as well. Plus, it has American heritage. It feels old-fashioned even though it was never common until recently. Scarlett O'Hara's first name was Katie. 

There are reasons why parents can't use Scarlett. It could be too popular or someone else has taken it. Parents might also be looking for a name for Scarlett's sister. Besides, name nerds who love Scarlett might just want more names to love. 

Here are some names inspired by Scarlett outside the top 100: 

Cosette

Cosette connects to the illegitimate daughter from Victor Hugo's Les Meserables. 

Darcy

Darcy, like Scarlett, began as a surname but also had a modest history of use. This romantic name brings to mind Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

Delta

As old-fashioned and southern as Scarlett, Delta feels bold and confident.

Dixie

Dixie is an old-fashioned rustic name with Scarlett's sassy kick. It feels controversial, too, as it connects to the states that were once part of the confederacy. 

Electra

Electra is as bold and dangerous as Scarlett. It connects to the mythological sister of Orestes, whom she helped kill their mother. 

Fleur

Fleur is the French word for "flower" that brings to mind Fleur Delacour from the Harry Potter series. 

Garnet

Garnet is a red gemstone name that feels slightly old-fashioned. 

Guinevere

This medieval name was the wife of King Arthur in Arthurian legend, whose seduction led to the king's death. That's quite Gothic, isn't it? 

Halo

While Halo connects with angels, it also brings to mind a violent video game series. 

Harlow

This modern surname-name brings to mind 1930s Hollywood icon Jean Harlow. 

Indigo

Indigo is best known as the purplish-blue dye. It connects to the Indigo Girls duo as well. 

Justice

Justice is a bold word-based name with the obvious meaning of fairness. 

Lilith

Lilith was the demonic first wife of Adam in Jewish tradition. 

Lorelei

Lorelei began as a siren from German legend. Today, this bold name brings to mind two characters from the TV series Gilmore Girls. 

Phoenix

Phoenix has connections to both the color red and danger. The phoenix was a mythological bird that rose from the dead every 500 years. In addition, as the capitol city of Arizona, Phoenix feels all-American. 

Saffron

Saffron is a modern word name inspired by the golden spice.

Sapphire

Bold Sapphire connects to the blue gemstone. It has the "fire" sound at the end, making it sound slightly dangerous. 

Scout

Scout begins and ends in the same letters as Scarlett, making it an obvious alternative. Plus, as Scarlett is to Gone with the Wind, Scout is the main character of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.

Sonnet

Sonnet doesn't just end in the same sound as Scarlett. It is also undeniably literary as a sonnet is a type of poem.  

Tallulah

Rustic and bold Tallulah brings to mind actress Tallulah Bankhead.

Tanith

Tanith connects to a moon goddess. The moon can have dark connotations, as in "dark moon". 

Tempest

This dangerous-sounding name connects to Shakespeare's 1611 play, The Tempest. 

Velvet

Velvet is another name associated with a cloth. It's also literary via Enid Bagnold's National Velvet. 

Vesper

Vesper connects to James Bond's partner in the twentieth century novel Casino Royale. Vesper is also Gothic through the evening prayers.

Which of these names do you like best? What names would you add to this list?