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I didn’t notice particularly negative comments about Scarlett, I personally prefer it to Charlotte. Anyway the BtN brigade isn’t going to come storming in if you like/use a name that’s not generally popular on this website.

I like it, but prefer Scarlet. I don't like most names that are an English word but with an extra letter, like Scarlett and Lilly. I like when the name is spelt like the word.

Scarlett doesn't have any major problems. It is gradually rising in the real-life rankings. And my English name, Jennifer, and my characters' names, Monica, Amy, Patricia (She is usually called Pax, but she is sometime called by her full name or Trish), also get a negative reception, but that didn't stop me. And additionally, these names receive more criticism because they are considered dated. So what is the conclusion? Use any name you like.

This message was edited 4/23/2024, 3:48 AM

This entirely depends on what image you want to give the character, if it is a realistic book or a fantasy, if it's a historical novel (Scarlett practically didn't exist as a given name before "Gone With the Wind"), what the character's class background is, etc. There would be many characters for whom Scarlett could be an excellent choice, and many for whom it would be quite an unwise choice.

While I don't really like Scarlett and much preferer Charlotte, Its your opinion. Its not something atrocious (like Ryleigh, Braylon, ect) and its a widely recognized name so go ahead!

Haha, I actually just removed Scarlett from my PNL. I do like it, I just think it can be kind of harsh. It's your story, use it.

It's Julia Louis-Dreyfus' middle name. I don't really have an opinion on it.

I've read a book (other than Gone With the Wind) with a character named Scarlett. Her best friend was named Halley, and she was a teen mom who named her daughter Grace. The name didn't distract me from the story.

This message was edited 4/21/2024, 9:57 PM

I hate it because I hate the Scar sound, and I automatically shorten most names to their first syllable.
Obviously, this is not an issue for a book character.
Even though I hate the name, I think it’s just fine for a child too. It’s getting plenty of use, it’s familiar, it ages just fine, and my dislike is purely personal preference.

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ETA: I would of course pick Charlotte from the two, but I don’t think a Scarlett is going to be any worse off for being Scarlett instead of Charlotte.

This message was edited 4/21/2024, 7:48 PM

It is fairly popular right now, I don't think it would be an issue if you used it. I personally wouldn't use it because I don't want to give my child a popular name but I think it is quite beautiful.

I think any author writing a character named Scarlett, needs to be very aware of the original Scarlett character. And if you are, and you allude deliberately to that character, then it's a great name for a character. Otherwise, it might kind of miss the mark, imo.

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As a name for a real person, it's fine. I don't really like it personally, but I don't think it's a bad name. I think Charlotte is way better though, and would rather be a Charlotte myself.

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I almost named my daughter Charlotte. If only Scarlett didn't remind me of a whole list of mostly negative things, I think I *would* like it more than Charlotte. It seems more substantial, bright, and sanguine than Charlotte.

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And I just want to add, it's legit for you to wonder about what other people think. it's the whole point of the Name Opinions board. Asking doesn't mean you're going to base all your life decisions on other people's opinions.

This message was edited 4/21/2024, 1:16 PM

Why do you care so much what a lot of total strangers on the Internet think of a name for a fictional character or a child twenty years down the line (by which time you will almost certainly have a different name in mind anyway?)
You will find quite a few people who don't like Charlotte either.
But obviously it means nothing because both Scarlett and Charlotte are extremely popular right now for real little girls.

If you like it, use it. It’s your book and your child, not ours.

Ultimately, who cares if people here love it or hate it? You'll never, ever find a name that is universally loved. It's your story and your kid, use the name you love.

What other people think about a fictional character's name is completely irrelevant. I could see if it was the name of your actual child, but your opinion would still matter more than theirs. If you're a good writer, they'll remember your artistic talent over your choice in names. For what it's worth, I think Scarlett and Charlotte are both great names - but I prefer Scarlett because it sounds like an adventure book protagonist.

Scarlett has a 78% rating, which is pretty well liked on this site. 50-60% would be tolerable/okay. There will always be someone who doesn't like the same names that you do.

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Since this name is for a character, ask yourself which name better fits the place and timeframe of your story. Do the character's parents seem more likely to use Scarlett or Charlotte?

It's really your choice. I don't like Scarlett, and much prefer Charlotte, but that's just my opinion. There's nothing particularly outlandish about Scarlett, and if I heard it irl, I wouldn't be weirded out because it's pretty popular. A name doesn't get into the top 20 if everyone hates it. For my own purposes, I would choose Charlotte, because Scarlett is not my style, but if it's yours, I don't care and neither would most anyone. Also, the thing about writing is you can go back and change things if you don't like them. I've changed my characters names many times when writing. When choosing a name for a character, I don't always go with what I like best, but what I think would be most fitting.

I love Charlotte, I'd use it

This message was edited 4/21/2024, 1:01 PM