Scarlett vs. Scarlet

Today I begin a new series on my blog in which I compare two very similar names, including separate spellings of the same name. I will be starting off with Scarlett and Scarlet. 

OVERVIEW:

Scarlett and Scarlet have been used as unisex, though mostly masculine, names since the seventeenth century. Yet, Scarlett was brought to attention as a completely feminine name via Scarlett O'hara from Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel, Gone with the Wind. 

As Scarlett got more popular, Scarlet followed. By the time Scarlett became popular in 2011, Scarlet was already in the top 500. It stays there to this day. 

Even though they're simply spellings of the same name, each name has their own advantages. Thus, it is very possible to prefer one spelling of the other. 

SCARLETT:

• Feels more complete-Scarlet strikes some people as "incomplete", yet the extra "t" changes it.
• Removes negative associations-Scarlet easily brings to mind scarlet fever along with the phrase "scarlet woman". The extra "t" gets rid of these associations.
• Traditional feel-Parents who look at the top 1000 names from 1940 can easily tell that Scarlett was used back then. Scarlet, on the other hand, didn't enter the list until much later. Gone with the Wind adds to its modern traditional status. 

SCARLET:

• Doesn't feel trendy-Despite its moderate history, Scarlett's rapid rise during the 2000s has given it a trendy feeling. Scarlet also rose quickly, but now it's just bouncing around the 300s and 400s. 
• Actual color spelling-Some parents don't see any reason why the name should have an extra "t", especially when other colors, like Violet and Hazel, have been used in their natural spellings.
• Longer history of use-Even though Scarlett appeared in the top 1000 as far back as 1940, parents might not think that's a long enough history to consider a name "traditional." According to Eleanor "Elea" Nickerson on British Baby Names, Scarlet was used in greater numbers in Victorian England than Scarlett. Even though she did not break down gender, Elea stated that a few women with the name were recorded in census records. Since Scarlet was more common, these women were likely named Scarlet. Plus, Scarlett O'Hara's first name was actually Katie. 
• Removes surname association-Scarlett started out as an occupational surname for makers of scarlet cloth. However, it doesn't feel like one because it's merely a respelling of the color. Still, some parents might dismiss is as a "trendy surname." If that's the case, then Scarlet will better appeal to them. 
• Removes Gone With the Wind Association-Scarlett O'Hara is a controversial character. People either love her or find her too dangerous. Scarlet doesn't connect with a controversial character.

CONCLUSION:

It is really your call whether Scarlett or Scarlet is the better name, but here I share my opinion. 

I do like traditional names, but over-popularity can diminish their appeal for me. I started liking Scarlett over six years ago, but I lost a little interest in the name after discovering its popularity. It just feels a bit trendy for my taste. 

This being said, I prefer Scarlet because it is not as trendy. It feels cooler and more grown-up than Scarlett, too. Also, most of the color names we use today are of their natural spellings. Think Sage, Willow, Ivy, Phoenix. Thus, I don't think Scarlet needs an extra "t" to feel complete. 

Despite feeling more contemporary in style than Scarlett, Scarlet is still nicely rooted in the past via the Victorian phrase "scarlet woman", though it's not a positive association. Yet, "scarlet" was still used in some way to refer to women, even if it was rare as a given name. 

Which spelling of the name do you like better: Scarlett or Scarlett?