This page is historical. Follow this link for the current version.
Dictionary of Medieval Names
from European Sources

Violet f. Old French violet(t)(e), a diminutive of Latin viola 'violet'.

Cf. also Viola and Yolanda.

The popularity of the name in Scotland in the 16th C was due in part to the use of the name in France at the time.

Scotland
Scots
1536 Wyolet DOST s.v. aunt; 1545 Violet PGB; 1546 Violet ibid.; 1547 Violet ibid.; 1550 Violet ibid.; 1552 Violet ibid.; 1554 Violet ibid.; 1559 Violet ibid.; 1568 Violet ibid.; 1576 Violet ibid.; 1582 Violet ibid.; 1587 Violet ibid.
Cite as: S.L. Uckelman. "Violet". In S.L. Uckelman, ed. The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, Edition 2020, no. 1. http://dmnes.org/2020/1/name/Violet.