"bear strength, brave as a bear"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Barrett
Pronunciation: [ b-AR-iht ]
Does Barrett flow with your last name?
A powerful surname-turned-first-name meaning 'brave as a bear'
English
American
Germanic
Strong
Modern
Bold
Unique
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Barrett
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"strife, quarrel"
Origin: Middle English
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Barrett
Barrett is an English and Germanic surname used as a first name, deriving from the Middle English 'barat' or the Old Germanic 'bero-hard' — combining 'bero' (bear) with 'hard' (strong, brave), yielding 'brave as a bear.' The name was primarily a surname in medieval England and has transitioned to first-name use primarily in the US and Australia.
Barrett has been rising in the US since the 2000s as parents sought strong-sounding surname-first-names with historical gravitas. It fits the trend of names like Everett, Garrett, and Emmett. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett kept the name visible from 2020 onward.
In American history, the Barrett family name is associated with Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the Victorian poet. The surname was also associated with the Barrett-Jackson car auction, giving it a luxury automotive association.
Historical Record
Barrett first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 30,456 babies have been named Barrett in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Barrett is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #186 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote 'How do I love thee? Let me count the ways'
- The Barrett M82 is one of the world's most famous sniper rifles
- Barrett entered the US top 200 boy names in 2016
Barrett in Other Languages
French
Barrett
German
Barrett
English
Barrett
Spanish
Barrett
Japanese
バレット
Popularity Over Time
#186
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Barrett
A
Amy Coney Barrett
Politician
1972
Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court, appointed in 2020
E
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Writer
1806
Victorian poet famous for Sonnets from the Portuguese and 'How Do I Love Thee?'
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #186
- Total SSA Count
- 1,984
- Cultural Origins
- English American Germanic
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Barry
Bear
Rhett
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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Barrett
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Barrett is also used as a girl name, ranked #4837.
View Barrett as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Barrett
What does the name Barrett mean?
"bear strength, brave as a bear" (from Germanic). "strife, quarrel" (from Middle English). Barrett is an English and Germanic surname used as a first name, deriving from the Middle English 'barat' or the Old Germanic 'bero-hard' — combining 'bero' (bear) with 'hard' (strong, brave), yielding 'brave as a bear.' The name was primarily a surname in medieval England and has transitioned to first-name use primarily in the US and Australia.
What is the origin of the name Barrett?
Barrett has Germanic, Middle English, English, and American origins. In Germanic, it means "bear strength, brave as a bear". In Middle English, it means "strife, quarrel".
Is Barrett a boy or girl name?
Barrett is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #186. As a girl name, it is ranked #4837. Barrett is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Barrett?
Barrett is pronounced b-AR-iht.
How popular is the name Barrett?
Barrett is currently ranked #186 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Barrett?
Common nicknames for Barrett include Barry, Bear, and Rhett.
What are good middle names for Barrett?
Popular middle name pairings include Barrett James, Barrett Lee, Barrett Cole, Barrett Scott, Barrett Reid, Barrett Gray, and Barrett Lane.
What are good sibling names for Barrett?
Names that pair well with Barrett as siblings include Everett, Sloane, Piper, Colton, Greer, Sutton, and Flynn.
How many syllables does Barrett have?
Barrett has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Barrett a common or rare name?
Barrett is a popular name, ranked #186 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Barrett?
About the Name Barrett
Barrett is a boy name with English, American, and Germanic origins . The name means "bear strength, brave as a bear" in Germanic .
Is Barrett a boy or girl name? Barrett is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #186 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,837. Barrett is more commonly used as a boy name.
Barrett is currently ranked #186 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Barrett has 2 syllables and is pronounced b-AR-iht, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Barrett include Barry, Bear, and Rhett. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Barrett include Barron, Barry, Barret . 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