Garnet
Primarily a girl's name of English origin with 6,905 recorded births. Also given to 2,004 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A census-designated place in Riverside County, California, United States.
Garnet is a girl's and boy's baby name of English origin, from the Middle English "gernet" (red gemstone), from the Old French "grenat" and ultimately from the Latin "granatum" (pomegranate seed) — describing the deep red crystals that resemble pomegranate seeds. Garnet is the birthstone for January.
Garnet is a gem name with depth — dark red and faceted, carrying the particular richness of a stone that has been valued since ancient Egypt. A name for a January child or simply for a child whose character has the warmth and density of something precious formed under pressure.
EtymologyShow more
Garnet is cataloged under the English naming tradition. English-origin names draw from Anglo-Saxon, Norman French, and Latin layers, reflecting England’s complex linguistic history.
In the U.S., Garnet has been recorded as a girl's name since 1884, with 6,905 total births. Browse the English names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Garnet has 129+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1884.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 52 | #10359 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 78 | #11489 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 39 | #14930 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 38 | #11959 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 78 | #8326 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 119 | #5254 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 227 | #2653 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 443 | #1601 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 687 | #1015 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 957 | #695 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 1,657 | #556 | — |
| 1910s | 1,701 | #430 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 543 | #477 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 245 | #615 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 41 | #889 | — |
The Story of Garnet
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1918, Garnet is a name steeped in history. Girls named Garnet are most likely born between 1908 and 1928.
How rare is Garnet?
Only about 1 in every 720,000 babies born in 2024 was named Garnet — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1884, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1910s with 1,701 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Garnet by the numbers
- Would fill 144 school buses
- Meeting one Garnet per day would take 18.9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(129 years, 1884–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | #16044 |
| 2023 | 13 | #8197 |
| 2022 | 11 | #9255 |
| 2021 | 14 | #7755 |
| 2020 | 9 | #10545 |
| 2019 | 9 | #10766 |
| 2018 | 9 | #10848 |
| 2017 | 15 | #7582 |
| 2016 | 15 | #7728 |
| 2015 | 7 | #13476 |
| 2013 | 7 | #13654 |
| 2011 | 11 | #9942 |
| 2010 | 5 | #17914 |
| 2009 | 9 | #11797 |
| 2008 | 5 | #18454 |
| 2006 | 5 | #18081 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11204 |
| 2002 | 6 | #14183 |
| 2000 | 5 | #15863 |
| 1998 | 8 | #10438 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Garnet as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Garnet has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 2,004 births since 1882.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Garnet a boy's or girl's name?
When was Garnet most popular?
How popular is the name Garnet?
Can Garnet be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1884–2024