What Does the Name Violet Mean? (2024)

What Does Violet Mean?

Violet is a lovely name that evokes the beauty, grace, and power of nature. It's an English name of Latin origin that means purple. It also represents violet (and other purple) flowers. Violet is derived from "viola," which means purple in Latin. Viola is also a name in its own right that is typically used as a girl name as well.

Violet is a traditional name that had its heyday in the early 20th century but has regained popularity over the past few decades. It is unique in that it combines the classic sound of an old-fashioned name with both a flower and color name. Despite its deep roots, Violet also exudes a fresh, hip vibe.

In many cultures, purple is a color of royalty. So, the name Violet connotates regality, leadership, strength, and grace. Its link to the violet flower and the color purple also imbue the name with an organic spirit, beauty, delicacy, and vibrancy.

Origin: The name Violet comes from the Latin word viola, which means purple.
Gender: Violet is most commonly used as a girl name.
Pronunciation: vai-uh-let or vai-luht

Although baby names are often separated by gender, Verywell Family believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.

How Popular Is the Name Violet?

Violet is an increasingly popular name that has been around for centuries. It has been particularly popular in England, Ireland, and Scotland. According to the Social Security Administration, Violet enjoyed steady top 100 status in the first quarter of the 20th century before taking a nosedive from the 1950s to the early 2000s. The name had plummeted to the 997th spot on the list in 1981.

However, over the past two decades, Violet has forged a steep resurgence, jumping from the 734th most used girl name in 2000 to the 369th 5 years later. By 2012, Violet breeched the top 100 and has stayed there and above ever since. In 2015, the name became the 50th most popular. By 2020, Violet was ranked as the 37th most used name. That year, over 5,000 baby girls were named Violet.

One reason this name's popularity has taken off is that multiple celebrities, including Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, have named their daughters Violet in recent years. Another key to Violet's growing appeal is that it resonates with popular trends that favor flower names, color names, and classic names.

Name Variations

There are multiple spelling variations for the name Violet and it is used in many languages, including English, Italian, French, Spanish, and Russian. Here are some other forms and spellings of this name from around the world.

Viola (Latin)
Violeta (Spanish, Greek, Bulgarian)
Violett
Violetta (Italian, Russian)
Violette (French, English)
Wioleta (Polish)

Similar Names

If you are still not completely sold on the name Violet, you may want to consider other names starting with the letter V. These include:

Vale
Valencia
Valentina
Valerie
Vanessa
Vanna
Vanya
Vera
Verna
Victoria
Vivien

For more classic girl names, here are a few to consider:

Alice
Ava
Betty
Charlotte
Dorothy
Edith
Emma
Ethel
Hannah
Henrietta
Ida
Olive
Penelope
Sarah
Sophie

If you like color names, you might want to consider these names:

Common Nicknames

There are several common nicknames for Violet. These include:

Letta
Lettie/Letty
Lottie/Lotty
V
Vi
Vi-Vi
Vivie

Suggested Sibling Names

Looking for a sibling name for Violet? Some popular options include:

Benjamin
Brynn
Charlie
Edward
Evelyn
Hank
June
Lynn
Olivia
Noah
Salma
Silvia
Walter

Famous People Named Violet

The name Violet has been around for hundreds of years, so your baby would be in good company with this name. There are plenty of notable historical and literary figures your baby would share a name with, too. Here are a few of the more famous Violets.

Famous Violets

Violet Aitken,British suffragette
Violet Astor,British aristocrat
Violet Barclay, American illustrator
Violet Barungi, Ugandan editor
Violet Blue, American author
Violet Brown, Jamaican supercentarian
Violet Bonham Carter, British politician
Violet Brunton, English artist
Violet Cliff, British ice skater
Violet Fane, British poet
Violet Hackbarth, American Girls Professional Baseball League player
Violet Heming, English actress
Violet Hopkins, American painter
Violet La Plante, American silent film star
Violet MacMillan, American Broadway theater actress
Violet Oakley, American artist
Violet Palmer, American basketball referee
Violet Tweedale, Scottish poet

Fictional Violets

Violet Beauregarde, a character in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"
Violet Bridgerton, mother of the Bridgerton siblings in "Bridgerton"
Violet Gray, a character in the "Peanuts"
Violet Parr, a character from the animated superhero film "The Incredibles"

More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:

1 Source

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Social Security Administration.Popularity of name.

By Sarah Vanbuskirk
Sarah Vanbuskirk is a writer and editor with 20 years of experience covering parenting, health, wellness, lifestyle, and family-related topics. Her work has been published in numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites, including Activity Connection,Glamour, PDX Parent, Self, TripSavvy,Marie Claire,and TimeOut NY.

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As a name enthusiast with a profound knowledge of etymology, cultural significance, and historical trends in names, let me delve into the intriguing world of the name "Violet." My expertise in linguistics allows me to elucidate the name's origin, its evolution over time, and the cultural connotations it carries.

Origin and Meaning: The name Violet has a rich history, rooted in the Latin word "viola," meaning purple. This linguistic connection is not just a theoretical assertion; it is a well-documented fact. Latin, the precursor to many modern languages, provides a concrete foundation for understanding the name's essence as it literally means "purple." This linguistic evidence aligns with the article's assertion that Violet represents the color purple and violet flowers.

Popularity and Resurgence: The article accurately traces the popularity of the name over the years, highlighting its heyday in the early 20th century and its subsequent decline from the 1950s to the early 2000s. The revival of Violet's popularity in the past two decades is supported by statistical data from the Social Security Administration, which is a reliable source for tracking naming trends. The mention of celebrities such as Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck choosing the name for their daughters adds a layer of cultural influence to its resurgence.

Variations and Global Usage: The article aptly acknowledges the varied spellings and usage of Violet in different languages. This diversity is not just a theoretical concept; it is substantiated by providing examples of the name in languages like Italian, French, Spanish, and Russian. This multilingual approach adds credibility to the claim that Violet is a name with global appeal.

Gender, Pronunciation, and Name Variations: The discussion about the gender association of Violet, its pronunciation variations, and alternative spellings is comprehensive and aligns with linguistic principles. The acknowledgment that gender doesn't need to play a decisive role in name selection reflects a nuanced understanding of contemporary naming practices.

Similar Names and Nicknames: The inclusion of similar names starting with the letter "V," classic girl names, color names, and flower or plant names demonstrates a thorough exploration of naming alternatives and trends. This aligns with my comprehensive knowledge of diverse naming patterns across cultures and time periods.

Famous People Named Violet: The article presents a compelling list of historical and literary figures named Violet, further establishing the name's enduring legacy. The inclusion of both real and fictional Violets showcases a well-rounded understanding of the name's cultural impact.

In conclusion, my extensive knowledge in linguistics, historical naming trends, and cultural influences supports the credibility of the information presented in the article about the name Violet.