Violet
Violet is a girls' name of Latin origin meaning “purple flower.” It ranked #13 in the United States in 2025. Violet refers to the purple flower and color, from the Latin 'viola.'
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how do you pronounce Violet?
VY-oh-let
where does the name Violet come from?
From the Latin viola, the flower, by way of the Old French violette. The colour takes its name from the flower rather than the reverse, so the botanical sense is the original one.
Shakespeare, Dickens, and Lemony Snicket all used it for characters. Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck's daughter Violet helped spark its modern comeback to the top 30.
how popular is this name?
Violet has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 124 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 22. It peaked at #13 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #13 |
| 2024 | #15 |
| 2023 | #16 |
| 2022 | #20 |
| 2021 | #36 |
| 2020 | #37 |
| 2019 | #36 |
| 2018 | #43 |
| 2017 | #47 |
| 2016 | #47 |
| 2010 | #122 |
| 2000 | #734 |
| 1970 | #920 |
| 1960 | #541 |
| 1950 | #343 |
| 1940 | #217 |
| 1930 | #120 |
| 1920 | #77 |
| 1910 | #89 |
| 1900 | #108 |
| 1890 | #176 |
| 1880 | #238 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Violet fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Violet
Violet was among the most fashionable of the Victorian flower names and ranked in the American top hundred until the 1920s, then vanished for sixty years. Its recent return has been comprehensive, helped by Violet Baudelaire in A Series of Unfortunate Events and Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey, and it has ranked inside the American top thirty through the 2020s.
who are famous people named Violet?
- Violet Affleck (daughter of Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck)
- Violet Baudelaire (A Series of Unfortunate Events)
- Violet Crawley (Downton Abbey character)
what are the nicknames and variants of Violet?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Violet?
what names go well with Violet?
Sibling names that share Violet's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Violet
What does the name Violet mean?
Violet means “purple flower”.
What is the origin of the name Violet?
Violet comes from the Latin naming tradition. Related forms include Violette, Viola and Wioletta.
How popular is the name Violet?
Violet ranked #13 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2025, at #13, and it has spent 124 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Violet a boy or girl name?
Violet is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Violet?
Violet is pronounced VY-oh-let, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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