Beckett
BoyEnglish· “from an English surname”
- Meaning
- from an English surname (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- BEK-it
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #141
- US babies 2025
- 2,518
- Best rank
- #141 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Beckett
Beckett is often said to mean “from an English surname”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English roots.
Beckett is an English surname used as a first name. Its origin is not settled: it may come from a place name meaning "bee cottage," or from a nickname based on the Old French bec, meaning "beak." The surname is linked with the Irish playwright Samuel Beckett, author of Waiting for Godot, and it echoes the name of Thomas Becket, the archbishop of Canterbury murdered in his cathedral and later canonized. As a given name Beckett has risen quickly in the United States, fitting the trend for crisp two-syllable surnames. It feels literary and modern at once, with Beck as a ready nickname.
Famous parents who chose Beckett: Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita (2020). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Beckett first appears in US Social Security records in 1992. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 20 different years, starting in 2006. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #141, and its highest count, 2,518 babies. Use has grown 38% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #2,627 in 2000, #356 in 2010, and #141 in 2025. Of the 29,156 US boys named Beckett since records began, 49% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 12,283 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Arlo, Elian, Matteo, Emilio, and Stetson.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Beckett ranked highest in Iowa, South Dakota, and Vermont.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | #23 | 77 |
| South Dakota | #27 | 26 |
| Vermont | #39 | 10 |
| Kansas | #60 | 53 |
| North Dakota | #62 | 17 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 96% of US babies named Beckett over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Beckett is usually pronounced BEK-it, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with B and ends in “-tt”.
Middle names for Beckett
A few middle names that flow with Beckett: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Beckett
Similar names
Lists that include Beckett
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Beckett mean?
Beckett is often said to mean “from an English surname”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English roots.
What is the origin of the name Beckett?
Beckett has English roots. Beckett is an English surname used as a first name.
Is Beckett a popular name?
Yes. Beckett ranked #141 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Beckett a boy or girl name?
Beckett is mainly a boy's name. About 96% of US babies named Beckett over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Beckett?
Beckett is usually pronounced BEK-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