Garnet is a unique and distinctive name of English origin that has been used as both a first name and a surname for centuries. The name Garnet is derived from the Latin word "granatus," which means "seed-like" or "having many seeds." This is because the gemstone garnet, from which the name is believed to have originated, resembles the shape of a seed.
The earliest recorded use of the name Garnet as a given name was in England during the 13th century. It is thought that the name may have been bestowed upon children born around harvest time due to its association with seeds and fruits. However, it is also possible that the name was chosen simply for its unique sound and its connection to the precious gemstone.
Over time, Garnet has become more commonly used as a given name for boys. In fact, according to some sources, Garnet was one of the top 1000 most popular baby boy names in the United States during the late 20th century. However, despite its growing popularity, Garnet remains a relatively rare and distinctive name.
One notable figure with the name Garnet is Garnet Wolseley, 1st Baron Wolseley of Wolseley (1833-1913), who was a British field marshal and commander-in-chief of the British Army. He was also known for his role in the Ashanti Expedition of 1874.
In popular culture, Garnet is the name of one of the main characters in the animated television series Steven Universe, which premiered on Cartoon Network in 2013. The character, who is a sentient gem being, is voiced by actor Stephen Colbert and has become a fan favorite among viewers.
Overall, while Garnet may not be as well-known or commonly used as some other names, it has a unique and interesting history and association with precious stones that makes it stand out. Whether you're considering the name for yourself or your child, Garnet is certainly worth considering if you're looking for something distinctive and meaningful.
The name Garnet has been used for babies born in the United States from at least 1884 onwards. The earliest years recorded show a fluctuating number of births, with 7 births in 1884 and 8 births in 1885. The highest number of births recorded in any single year is 258 in 1918.
From the late 1800s to around the 1930s, the number of babies named Garnet varied considerably each year, ranging from a low of 5 births in some years to a high of over 200 births in others. The peak years for Garnet births were during World War I and shortly afterwards.
After the 1930s, the popularity of the name Garnet began to decline steadily. By the 1950s, there were fewer than 60 Garnet births per year on average. This trend continued into the 1960s and 1970s, with fewer than 20 Garnet births recorded each year.
Since the 1980s, the number of babies named Garnet has remained consistently low, with an average of around 7 births per year. Despite this decline in popularity, there have been a few recent years where the name Garnet made something of a comeback, such as in 2016 and 2017 when there were 15 births each year.
In total, over approximately 130 years, there have been around 6900 babies named Garnet born in the United States. This statistic demonstrates that while Garnet may not be one of the most popular baby names today, it has nonetheless been a name chosen for thousands of children throughout American history.