Chet
Chet is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Short form of Chester, meaning 'fortress' or 'walled town'.
Origin and history
Chet is an English name originally derived as a short form of Chester or Chesterfield, ultimately from the Latin word for a camp or fortress. It gained popularity in the United States as an independent given name in the mid-20th century, heavily influenced by iconic figures in jazz and country music. Today, it remains a distinctive and retro choice for boys in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
6,180 babies in the United States have been named Chet since 1880. It ranks #1528 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1565.
States where it is most popular
- CA (17.9 %)
- TX (11.6 %)
- UT (9.3 %)
- OH (8.1 %)
- NY (7.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 6 |
| 1910-1920 | 49 |
| 1920-1930 | 55 |
| 1930-1940 | 74 |
| 1940-1950 | 216 |
| 1950-1960 | 579 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,232 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,228 |
| 1980-1990 | 924 |
| 1990-2000 | 625 |
| 2000-2010 | 423 |
| 2010-2019 | 406 |
| 2020-2029 | 363 |
Famous people named Chet
- Chet Baker: jazz trumpeter, vocalist
- Chet Atkins: guitarist, record producer
- Chet Holmgren: basketball player
Fun facts
- Chet stems from Chester, which derives from the Old English 'ceaster' and the Latin 'castrum', meaning a military camp or fortress.
- The name gained cool, artistic associations in the 1950s through jazz legend Chet Baker and guitar pioneer Chet Atkins.