Garnet is a rare unisex given name of English origin, derived from an English surname. The surname itself has two possible etymological roots. One source is occupational, referring to a person who made hinges, from Old French carne meaning "hinge" (from Latin cardo). The other source is as a variant of the Norman personal name Guarin, itself the Norman French form of Warin, an Old German name derived from the element war meaning "aware, cautious," ultimately from Proto-Germanic *waraz. The name Warin also carries the sense of "to ward off" or "be on guard."As a given name, Garnet has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century, often transferred from the surname. It is also influenced by the gemstone garnet, a deep red stone symbolizing devotion and friendship. Despite its gem association, the name rarely appears in popularity rankings, making it a distinctive choice. Its historical bearers include figures from the medieval period when the surname first emerged. Variants include the more common Garnett and the related Garner (an occupational name for a granary keeper) with separate root origins.