Declining since 2022, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Garnet since 1882
Babies named Garnet per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Garnet's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 41 | 12 |
| 1890s | 245 | 12 |
| 1900s | 543 | 62 |
| 1910s | 1,701 | 354 |
| 1920s | 1,657 | 447 |
| 1930s | 957 | 286 |
| 1940s | 687 | 235 |
| 1950s | 443 | 170 |
| 1960s | 227 | 146 |
| 1970s | 119 | 71 |
| 1980s | 78 | 70 |
| 1990s | 38 | 54 |
| 2000s | 39 | 32 |
| 2010s | 78 | 25 |
| 2020s | 60 | 34 |
Meaning & origin
Garnet is one of the older gemstone names, first recorded as a given name in 1884. Its history as a unisex choice is unusual among stone names, which tend to skew feminine today. At its peak year in 1911, Garnet was used for far more children than in any year since, appearing in the top 1000 male names of the era. The name has been in decline since roughly 2022, when the trajectory turned decisively downward. While not currently tied to any particular U.S. state, Garnet's sound and spelling give it a crisp, vintage appeal that fits well with modern revival trends for both genders.
Garnet derives from Middle English gernet, via Old French grenate, from Latin granatus (seeded), referring to the stone's resemblance to pomegranate seeds. It has been used as a given name since the 17th century, initially more for boys, but over time it became a unisex name, with a notable peak in the early 1900s.
Where Garnet is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Garn, Net, Nettie
Sibling names for Garnet
Names that share Garnet's style, for a brother or sister.
