Barrett

Pronunciation: [ b-AR-iht ]

Boy Name #186 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A powerful surname-turned-first-name meaning 'brave as a bear'

English American Germanic

Strong Modern Bold Unique Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"bear strength, brave as a bear"

Origin: Germanic

Language: English

"strife, quarrel"

Origin: Middle English

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Barrett

Amy Coney Barrett

Politician

1972

Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court, appointed in 2020

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Writer

1806

Victorian poet famous for Sonnets from the Portuguese and 'How Do I Love Thee?'

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

Barron #1016 Barry #1421 Barret #4460

Common Nicknames

Barry Bear Rhett

Pairs Well With

Barrett James Barrett Lee Barrett Cole Barrett Scott Barrett Reid Barrett Gray Barrett Lane

Sibling Names

Everett Sloane Piper Colton Greer Sutton Flynn

Also a Girl Name

Barrett is also used as a girl name, ranked #4837.

View Barrett as a girl name →

Similar Names

Everett Emmett Elliott Merritt Bennett Garrett Jarrett Everette

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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.

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.