Scarlett in Chinese
Scarlett in Chinese is 斯嘉丽 (Sī Jiā Lì).
- Origin
- English
- Meaning
- scarlet, red
The name traces back to English sources, where it is usually explained as "scarlet, red". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1937 and peaked in 2016.
3 ways to write Scarlett
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
斯嘉丽
Sī Jiā Lì
The standard transliteration of Scarlett: 斯 (sī, "this (phonetic 's')"), 嘉 (jiā, "excellent, praiseworthy"), 丽 (lì, "beautiful, elegant"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 斯 sī + 嘉 jiā + 丽 lì. The tone contour is 1-1-4 (high level, high level, falling).
Character breakdown
34 strokes total (simplified)- 斯
sī
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
this (phonetic 's')
- 嘉
jiā
Tone 1 · 14 strokes (simplified)
excellent, praiseworthy
- 丽
lì
Tone 4 · 8 strokes (simplified)
beautiful, elegant
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
文雅
Wén Yǎ
Inspired by "scarlet, red": 文 (wén, "literature, culture; refined") + 雅 (yǎ, "elegant, refined"), expressing elegance and good character.
Why these characters?
Scarlett's meaning ("scarlet, red") has no direct Chinese equivalent, so 文 (literature, culture; refined) and 雅 (elegant, refined) express elegance and good character instead.
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 文
wén
Tone 2 · 4 strokes (simplified)
literature, culture; refined
- 雅
yǎ
Tone 3 · 12 strokes (simplified)
elegant, refined
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
思婉
Sī Wǎn
思 (sī, "to think; longing") + 婉 (wǎn, "gentle, graceful"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
Instead of the purely phonetic 斯, this uses 思 (sī, "to think; longing") for the "scar" sound, then 婉 ("gentle, graceful") for meaning.
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 思
sī
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
to think; longing
- 婉
wǎn
Tone 3 · 11 strokes (simplified)
gentle, graceful
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Scarlett
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Scarlett ranked 17 among names recorded for girls, with 38,284 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 58,977 girls named Scarlett since 1937, with the high point in 2016 (7,698 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #1062 to #18 among girls.
- Peak year
- 2016
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1937
- Total since 1880
- 58,977
More About Scarlett in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Scarlett offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Scarlett, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Rebekah in Chinese, Kaitlin in Chinese, and Mckenzie in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Daniela in Chinese, Kate in Chinese, and Heidi in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Scarlett, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Scarlett to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Scarlett in Chinese characters?
斯嘉丽 (Sī Jiā Lì), or 斯嘉麗 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is Scarlett written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 斯嘉丽 becomes 斯嘉麗; the changed characters are 丽→麗. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.
How popular is the name Scarlett?
US Social Security records show 58,977 girls named Scarlett since 1937, with the high point in 2016 (7,698 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #1062 to #18 among girls.