Holding steady.
Popularity of Arnett since 1893
Babies named Arnett per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1951, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Arnett's real moment was 1897.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 | 22 |
| 1900s | 0 | 17 |
| 1910s | 6 | 171 |
| 1920s | 5 | 203 |
| 1930s | 5 | 171 |
| 1940s | 11 | 183 |
| 1950s | 27 | 223 |
| 1960s | 21 | 120 |
| 1970s | 0 | 98 |
| 1980s | 0 | 52 |
| 1990s | 0 | 19 |
| 2000s | 0 | 19 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Arnett is a rare English given name that emerged in the late 19th century, likely as a variant of the surname Arnatt or a diminutive of Arnold. The name is derived from Germanic elements meaning 'eagle' and 'rule', though it may also be a reduced form of other names. According to U.S. Social Security records, Arnett first appeared in 1893 and reached its peak in 1897, when it ranked outside the top 1000. The name's trajectory has been stable but extremely rare, with no recorded births in recent decades in the top 1000. Arnett was used primarily in the 1890s, but never caught on widely. It is virtually unheard of today, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an obscure vintage name.
Arnett is a variant of Arnatt, itself a medieval diminutive of the Norman name Arnold, composed of Germanic elements 'arn' (eagle) and 'wald' (rule). As a surname it denoted 'son of Arnett' and was occasionally adopted as a given name, particularly in 19th century America. Its use has since become rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Arnie, Net
Variants: Arnatt, Arnette
Sibling names for Arnett
Names that share Arnett's style, for a brother or sister.
