Brett
Brett is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
A Briton; inhabitant of Brittany.
Origin and history
Brett is an English name derived from an Anglo-Norman surname meaning 'a Briton' or someone from Brittany. It gained popularity as an independent given name in the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century. Although its usage has declined recently, it remains a recognized classic masculine name.
Popularity in the United States
159,109 babies in the United States have been named Brett since 1880. It ranks #217 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #991.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.2 %)
- IL (5.8 %)
- NY (5.7 %)
- PA (5.3 %)
- OH (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 10 |
| 1930-1940 | 38 |
| 1940-1950 | 547 |
| 1950-1960 | 7,255 |
| 1960-1970 | 25,835 |
| 1970-1980 | 28,922 |
| 1980-1990 | 41,289 |
| 1990-2000 | 35,422 |
| 2000-2010 | 14,659 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,947 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,185 |
Famous people named Brett
- Brett Favre: American football player
- Brett Butler: Actress, Comedian
- Brett Goldstein: Actor, Comedian
Fun facts
- The name gained notable attention in the early 20th century through the female character Lady Brett Ashley in Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises.
- Originally used as an English surname to denote people who came from Brittany, France, or spoke the Brythonic Celtic language.