Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Bree
GirlEnglish, Irish· “short form of Brianna or Bridget”
- Meaning
- short form of Brianna or Bridget
- Origin
- English, Irish
- Pronunciation
- BREE
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,826
- US babies 2025
- 60
- Best rank
- #616 (1977)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Bree
Bree is an English and Irish name that is usually said to mean “short form of Brianna or Bridget”.
Bree is a short form of names such as Brianna and Bridget. Brianna is a feminine form of Brian, while Bridget comes from the Irish Brigid, a name tied to the goddess and saint of that name. Bree has been used on its own for decades, and readers of Tolkien may recognize it as the name of a village in The Lord of the Rings. The name is breezy, bright and simple to spell. It fits families who want a short, modern name with Irish roots, and it pairs smoothly with longer middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Brea, Brie.
Popularity over time
Bree first appears in US Social Security records in 1971. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 19 different years, starting in 1972. Its best national rank was #616 in 1977, and the most babies received it in 2010, when 308 were named Bree. In 2025, 60 babies were named Bree, and it ranked #2,826 nationally. That is 73% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #810 in 1980, #1,389 in 2000, #866 in 2010, and #2,826 in 2025. Of the 9,287 US girls named Bree since records began, 23% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 2,058 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Diya, Maryjane, Marlie, Payten, and Lilyanna.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Bree ranked highest in Iowa, New York, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | #582 | 5 |
| New York | #2145 | 5 |
| California | #2542 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Bree is usually pronounced BREE, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with B and ends in “-ee”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Brea and Brie.
Middle names for Bree
A few middle names that flow with Bree: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Bree
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Lists that include Bree
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bree mean?
Bree is an English and Irish name that is usually said to mean “short form of Brianna or Bridget”.
What is the origin of the name Bree?
Bree has English and Irish roots. Bree is a short form of names such as Brianna and Bridget.
Is Bree a popular name?
Not especially. Bree ranked #2,826 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Bree a boy or girl name?
Bree is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Bree?
Bree is usually pronounced BREE. 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