"bear strength"
Origin: Old English / Old German
Language: English
Barret
Pronunciation: [ b-AR-iht ]
Does Barret flow with your last name?
Rugged surname-style name with the strength of a bear
American
English
Irish
Strong
Classic
Vintage
Bold
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Barret
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"mighty as a bear"
Origin: Norman French
Language: English
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The Story of Barret
Barret is an alternative spelling of Barrett, an Old English and Norman French surname derived from 'bear' plus the suffix suggesting strength or power. Originally an occupational or descriptive surname, Barrett has been steadily crossing into first-name territory over the past century. The single-t spelling gives it a cleaner, more modern look.
Barrett has risen steadily as a first name in the US since the 1990s, part of the broader trend of using strong Anglo-Saxon surnames as given names. Barret, with one 't,' appeals to parents who want the same strong sound with a slightly distinctive twist.
Bear-derived names have a long history across European cultures — from Old Norse Björn to German Bernard. Barrett carries this tradition into the modern era while feeling distinctly American in its surname-as-first-name usage.
Historical Record
Barret first appeared in US Social Security records in 1960.
Over 1,354 babies have been named Barret in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Barret is past its peak , currently ranked #4,460 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Barrett is an Irish and English surname that has been climbing the US first-name charts since the 1990s
- Bear-derived names like Barret, Bjorn, and Bernard are found across European cultures
- The surname Barrett is relatively common in Ireland, brought by Anglo-Norman settlers in the 12th century
Barret in Other Languages
Irish
Baréad
French
Barrett
Spanish
Barrett
Popularity Over Time
#4,460
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1983
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Barret
B
Barrett Strong
Musician
1941
American R&B singer-songwriter who recorded 'Money (That's What I Want),' Motown's first hit record
B
Barret Wallace Fictional
Other
Fictional member of AVALANCHE and party member in the iconic video game Final Fantasy VII; known for his powerful physiq...
Fictional member of AVALANCHE and party member in the iconic video game Final Fantasy VII; known for his powerful physique and unwavering loyalty
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,460
- Total SSA Count
- 23
- Cultural Origins
- American English Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Barry
Bear
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Barret
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Barret is also used as a girl name, ranked #53814.
View Barret as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Barret
What does the name Barret mean?
"bear strength" (from Old English / Old German). "mighty as a bear" (from Norman French). Barret is an alternative spelling of Barrett, an Old English and Norman French surname derived from 'bear' plus the suffix suggesting strength or power. Originally an occupational or descriptive surname, Barrett has been steadily crossing into first-name territory over the past century. The single-t spelling gives it a cleaner, more modern look.
What is the origin of the name Barret?
Barret has Old English / Old German, Norman French, American, English, and Irish origins. In Old English / Old German, it means "bear strength". In Norman French, it means "mighty as a bear".
Is Barret a boy or girl name?
Barret is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4460. As a girl name, it is ranked #53814. Barret is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Barret?
Barret is pronounced b-AR-iht.
How popular is the name Barret?
Barret is currently ranked #4460 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Barret?
Common nicknames for Barret include Barry and Bear.
What are good middle names for Barret?
Popular middle name pairings include Barret James, Barret Scott, Barret Cole, Barret Grant, Barret Lee, and Barret Wayne.
What are good sibling names for Barret?
Names that pair well with Barret as siblings include Fletcher, Deacon, Garrison, Harlow, Hadley, and Merritt.
How many syllables does Barret have?
Barret has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Barret a common or rare name?
Barret is an uncommon name, ranked #4460 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Barret?
About the Name Barret
Barret is a boy name with American, English, and Irish origins . The name means "bear strength" in Old English / Old German .
Is Barret a boy or girl name? Barret is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,460 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #53,814. Barret is more commonly used as a boy name.
Barret is currently ranked #4,460 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Barret has 2 syllables and is pronounced b-AR-iht, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Barret include Barry and Bear. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Barret include Barrett, Barron, Barry . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis