Jarret is a given name of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "jarret," which means "ankle." The name was originally used as a nickname for someone who was particularly agile or had swift ankles, possibly due to their occupation such as a dancer or runner.
The name Jarret gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages when it was brought over by the Normans after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was often given as a personal name, but could also be used as a surname for descendants of someone known for their swiftness.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Jarret. One example is Sir John Jarrett (1785-1834), an Australian explorer and surveyor who played a significant role in the exploration and settlement of New South Wales. Another example is Jarrett Jack (born 1977), an American professional basketball player.
Despite its historical usage, Jarret remains relatively uncommon as both a first name and surname today. It has not appeared on any notable baby naming lists or trends, which contributes to its unique and distinctive sound.
The name Jarret experienced a significant surge in popularity from the late 1960s to the early 1990s, peaking between 1980 and 1990 with over 90 births per year consistently. However, since then, its usage has dramatically declined, dropping below 50 births annually by the late 1990s and hovering around single-digit figures in recent years, with only 7 births reported in both 2021 and 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 3431 births registered as Jarret since 1946.