Boy · 401st of 16,616
Bret
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
30,030
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1959
Peak Popularity Year
1,839
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Bret stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Bret originates from Old French, meaning 'from Brittany'. It evolved from its roots through various historical forms such as Bretton and Breton. The name is associated with traits of warmth and approachability. It has no biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/brɛt/
Origin
Old French and Middle English
Etymology
The name Bret is derived from the Old French name 'Bret' meaning 'Breton' or 'from Brittany', reflecting a geographical origin.
Meaning
from Brittany
Language Evolution
Bret, Bretton, Breton
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, initially as a diminutive of the name 'Brett' and later as an independent name.
Variants & Derivatives
Brett, Bretton
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Bret is viewed as a modern and straightforward name, often associated with a friendly and approachable personality.
Famous People
Bret Hart, Bret Michaels, Bret Baier
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,839 peak births in 1959
Geographic Spread
Popular across 49 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 7545th of 7545 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4172nd of 6773 | 49 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 353rd of 7552 | 8,389 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 313th of 10718 | 10,017 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 401st of 16616 | 8,254 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1010th of 24088 | 2,746 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3812th of 23106 | 338 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 12006th of 19264 | 28 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 7838th of 27321 | 144 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 16883rd of 35406 | 60 |