Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Brett
BoyEnglish, French· “a Breton”
- Meaning
- a Breton
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- BRET
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,382
- US babies 2025
- 133
- Best rank
- #69 (1986)
- Peak year
- 1986
Meaning and origin of Brett
Brett is an English and French name that means “a Breton”.
Brett comes from an English surname for a Breton, someone from Brittany in northwest France. Many Bretons came to England with the Norman Conquest, and the surname became common. As a first name Brett gained popularity in the mid twentieth century and it has remained a familiar choice. It is brisk, one syllable and friendly, with a sporty feel. Many athletes have borne it, including the football quarterback Brett Favre. The name needs no nickname and pairs well with longer middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Bret.
Popularity over time
Brett first appears in US Social Security records in 1926. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 75 different years, starting in 1946. Its best national rank was #69 in 1986, the same year it reached its highest count of 4,729 babies. In 2025, 133 babies were named Brett, and it ranked #1,382 nationally. That is 59% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #449 in 1950, #96 in 1980, #163 in 2000, #389 in 2010, and #1,382 in 2025. Of the 159,109 US boys named Brett since records began, 26% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 35,422 babies. Since 2010, 5,132 more have been named Brett.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Joel, Ross, Bryan, and Dustin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Brett ranked highest in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | #677 | 6 |
| Oklahoma | #714 | 5 |
| Virginia | #986 | 6 |
| New York | #1065 | 11 |
| Pennsylvania | #1121 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 97% of US babies named Brett over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Brett is usually pronounced BRET, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-tt”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Bret.
Middle names for Brett
A few middle names that flow with Brett: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Brett
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Lists that include Brett
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Brett mean?
Brett is an English and French name that means “a Breton”.
What is the origin of the name Brett?
Brett has English and French roots. Brett comes from an English surname for a Breton, someone from Brittany in northwest France.
Is Brett a popular name?
Not especially. Brett ranked #1,382 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Brett a boy or girl name?
Brett is mainly a boy's name. About 97% of US babies named Brett over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Brett?
Brett is usually pronounced BRET. 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