Carlette

Meaning & origin

Carlette is a rare American name that first appeared in Social Security records in 1942, but never reached widespread popularity. Its usage peaked modestly in 1966, the same year it recorded its highest number of births. Since then, it has remained a stable but uncommon choice, with fewer than five births per year in recent decades. The name's exact derivation is uncertain; it may have been formed by adding the feminine suffix -ette to Carl or Charles, or it could be a respelling of Scarlett. Carlette has no strong association with any U.S. state, as its occurrences are scattered. For families seeking a distinctive, mid-century style name, Carlette offers a rare alternative to more common names like Charlotte or Scarlett.

Carlette likely emerged in the 20th century as a modern coinage, possibly blending elements of names like Carla or Charlotte with the fashionable -ette suffix. It may also be a variant of Scarlett, a surname-turned-first-name derived from the occupation of a scarlet dyer. The name saw modest use in the mid-1960s, peaking in 1966, and has since remained rare.