Garnett
Primarily a boy's name of Old French origin with 3,852 recorded births. Also given to 2,784 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Garnett is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin, from the French grenat meaning 'pomegranate' or the dark red gemstone named for its color — the garnet. With nearly 4,000 recorded births, it has a long history as an American surname-style given name, carrying the warmth of the deep red stone and a distinguished, old-fashioned elegance.
EtymologyShow more
Garnett first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1881. Names present in the earliest SSA data (which begins in 1880) were typically carried by immigrants from Europe, handed down through families, or drawn from biblical and classical sources.
Its Old French classification suggests a path from old french linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Garnett was #7157 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #9251, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 28 | #12102 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 25 | #11042 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 82 | #7869 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 92 | #6112 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 133 | #3297 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 208 | #2253 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 283 | #1515 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 419 | #1164 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 505 | #943 | — |
| 1930s | 553 | #857 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 729 | #780 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 541 | #729 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 128 | #780 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 80 | #809 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 46 | #880 | — |
The Story of Garnett
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1920, Garnett is a name steeped in history. Boys named Garnett are most likely born between 1910 and 1930.
How rare is Garnett?
Only about 1 in every 450,000 babies born in 2024 was named Garnett — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1881, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 729 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Garnett by the numbers
- Would fill 80 school buses
- Meeting one Garnett per day would take 10.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(134 years, 1881–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | #9251 |
| 2023 | 5 | #12841 |
| 2022 | 5 | #12977 |
| 2021 | 5 | #12755 |
| 2020 | 5 | #12685 |
| 2019 | 6 | #11222 |
| 2013 | 7 | #10008 |
| 2011 | 5 | #12922 |
| 2010 | 7 | #10014 |
| 2009 | 6 | #11458 |
| 2008 | 11 | #7366 |
| 2006 | 9 | #8231 |
| 2005 | 10 | #7294 |
| 2004 | 10 | #7157 |
| 2003 | 7 | #8983 |
| 2002 | 9 | #7234 |
| 2001 | 10 | #6618 |
| 2000 | 10 | #6482 |
| 1999 | 9 | #6708 |
| 1998 | 10 | #5982 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Garnett as a Girl's Name
Garnett is a true unisex name. As a girl's name, it has 2,784 recorded births since 1889.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Garnett a boy's or girl's name?
When was Garnett most popular?
How popular is the name Garnett?
Can Garnett be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1881–2024