Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Brent
BoyEnglish, Old English· “hill”
- Meaning
- hill
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- BREHNT
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,509
- US babies 2025
- 116
- Best rank
- #73 (1971)
- Peak year
- 1970
Meaning and origin of Brent
Brent is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “hill”.
Brent comes from an English surname taken from place names, often explained as coming from an Old English word for hill or high place. The River Brent in London, whose name comes from a Celtic word possibly meaning holy one, gave its name to the borough of Brent and to Brentford. Brent became a popular given name for boys in the United States in the mid-twentieth century. Brent geese are a small species of goose, a separate word. The name is short, firm and simple, in the same style as Grant and Kent, and it pairs well with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Brent first appears in US Social Security records in 1885. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 85 different years, starting in 1885. Its best national rank was #73 in 1971, and the most babies received it in 1970, when 4,269 were named Brent. In 2025, 116 babies were named Brent, and it ranked #1,509 nationally. That is 54% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,648 in 1920, #212 in 1950, #84 in 1980, #319 in 2000, #655 in 2010, and #1,509 in 2025. Of the 139,799 US boys named Brent since records began, 25% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 31,279 babies. Since 2010, 3,316 more have been named Brent.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Lance, Marc, Tyrone, Andre, and Wade.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Brent ranked highest in Louisiana, Indiana, and Tennessee.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | #595 | 7 |
| Indiana | #864 | 6 |
| Tennessee | #942 | 6 |
| Florida | #1135 | 11 |
| North Carolina | #1300 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Brent is usually pronounced BREHNT, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-nt”.
Middle names for Brent
A few middle names that flow with Brent: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Brent
Similar names
Clint Boy
KLIHNT
“short form of Clinton” · English
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Kent Boy
KENT
“from the English county” · English
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Trent Boy
TREHNT
“from the River Trent” · English
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Vance Boy
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Wade Boy
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Lee Boy
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Heath Boy
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Lists that include Brent
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Brent mean?
Brent is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “hill”.
What is the origin of the name Brent?
Brent has English and Old English roots. Brent comes from an English surname taken from place names, often explained as coming from an Old English word for hill or high place.
Is Brent a popular name?
Not especially. Brent ranked #1,509 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Brent a boy or girl name?
Brent is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Brent?
Brent is usually pronounced BREHNT. 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