Brett is a name of Scottish origin and it means "small fire" or "speckled." It is believed to have been derived from the Old Norse word "brátt," which means "quickly."
The name Brett has a long history, dating back to medieval Scotland where it was used as a nickname for someone who had red hair or a fiery temper. Over time, Brett evolved into a given name in its own right.
In English-speaking countries, the name Brett gained popularity during the 20th century. It became particularly popular in the United States and Australia during the 1970s and 1980s. Today, Brett is still considered a classic boys' name with a strong, masculine sound.
Some famous people with the name Brett include American actor Brett Cullen, Australian rules footballer Brett Burton, and Canadian ice hockey player Brett Hull.
The name Brett has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past seven decades, with a total of 3,378 babies named Brett born between 1950 and 2023.
The popularity of the name Brett peaked in the late 1970s to early 1980s, with a significant increase in births occurring during these years. In 1986, there were 175 babies named Brett born in the United States, which was the highest number recorded for this period.
However, the popularity of the name has declined since then, and it has become less common over time. Between 2015 and 2023, there were an average of only 14 births per year with the name Brett.
Despite this decline in popularity, Brett remains a timeless and enduring name choice for parents who want to give their child a strong and unique name. It is important to note that these statistics do not reflect the meaning or origin of the name Brett, but rather provide insight into its usage and popularity over time in the United States.