Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Barrett
BoyEnglish· “possibly strife, trouble”
- Meaning
- possibly strife, trouble (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- BAIR-it
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #171
- US babies 2025
- 2,138
- Best rank
- #171 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Barrett
Barrett is often said to mean “possibly strife, trouble”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English roots.
Barrett is an English surname of uncertain origin. It is often linked to the Middle English barat, meaning "strife," "trouble" or "trickery," which may have been a nickname for a quarrelsome person, though other explanations have been proposed. The surname arrived in England and Ireland with the Normans. It is well known from the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, whose love letters and sonnets with Robert Browning are famous. As a first name Barrett has grown in the United States as part of the fashion for polished surname names. Barry and Rett are possible nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Barret.
Popularity over time
Barrett first appears in US Social Security records in 1886. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 74 different years, starting in 1886. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #171, and its highest count, 2,138 babies. Use has grown 87% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #1,893 in 1920, #1,141 in 1950, #636 in 1980, #984 in 2000, #541 in 2010, and #171 in 2025. Of the 33,425 US boys named Barrett since records began, 35% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 11,549 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Beckham, Felix, Nico, Jett, and Hayes.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Barrett ranked highest in Nebraska, Montana, and Oklahoma.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | #29 | 52 |
| Montana | #52 | 19 |
| Oklahoma | #71 | 56 |
| North Dakota | #71 | 15 |
| Tennessee | #72 | 117 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Barrett over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Barrett is usually pronounced BAIR-it, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with B and ends in “-tt”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Barret.
Middle names for Barrett
A few middle names that flow with Barrett: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Barrett
Similar names
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Lists that include Barrett
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Barrett mean?
Barrett is often said to mean “possibly strife, trouble”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English roots.
What is the origin of the name Barrett?
Barrett has English roots. Barrett is an English surname of uncertain origin.
Is Barrett a popular name?
Yes. Barrett ranked #171 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Barrett a boy or girl name?
Barrett is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Barrett over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Barrett?
Barrett is usually pronounced BAIR-it. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings