"advice, counsel"
Origin: Welsh/Dutch
Language: English
Rhett
Pronunciation: [ r-EHT ]
Does Rhett flow with your last name?
The Southern charmer from Gone with the Wind
American
Southern US
Literary
Vintage
Strong
Bold
Southern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Rhett
Rhett is an anglicized form of the Dutch surname 'de Raedt,' meaning advice or counsel. It was introduced to American culture largely through Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone with the Wind, where Rhett Butler is the rakish, charming antihero whose wit and self-possession made him one of fiction's most iconic male characters. Before Mitchell, the name was virtually unknown; after, it became synonymous with Southern charisma.
Rhett experienced a major revival in the 2010s, driven by the popularity of literary names and the enduring cultural presence of Gone with the Wind. YouTube stars Rhett McLaughlin of Good Mythical Morning also brought the name contemporary cool with a massive millennial audience.
In American Southern culture, Rhett is inextricably tied to Gone with the Wind and the romanticized antebellum South. Rhett Butler's famous last line — 'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn' — is consistently ranked as the #1 most famous movie quote by the American Film Institute.
Historical Record
Rhett first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 34,440 babies have been named Rhett in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rhett is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #174 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Rhett Butler's 'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn' is the #1 most famous movie quote per the AFI
- Rhett entered the US Top 500 around 2010 and has climbed steadily since
- Rhett McLaughlin of Good Mythical Morning has over 18 million YouTube subscribers
Rhett in Other Languages
French
Rhett
German
Rhett
Spanish
Rhett
Japanese
レット
Popularity Over Time
#174
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Rhett
R
Rhett McLaughlin
Entertainer
1977
Co-host of YouTube's Good Mythical Morning, one of YouTube's most successful long-running shows
R
Rhett Butler Fictional
Other
Fictional antihero protagonist of Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind (1936), one of literature's most charismatic ch...
Fictional antihero protagonist of Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind (1936), one of literature's most charismatic characters
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #174
- Total SSA Count
- 2,134
- Cultural Origins
- American Southern US
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Nicknames
Rhe
Rhy
Rhie
Rhekins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rhett
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Rhett is also used as a girl name, ranked #9147.
View Rhett as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rhett
What does the name Rhett mean?
"advice, counsel" (from Welsh/Dutch). Rhett is an anglicized form of the Dutch surname 'de Raedt,' meaning advice or counsel. It was introduced to American culture largely through Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone with the Wind, where Rhett Butler is the rakish, charming antihero whose wit and self-possession made him one of fiction's most iconic male characters. Before Mitchell, the name was virtually unknown; after, it became synonymous with Southern charisma.
What is the origin of the name Rhett?
Rhett has Welsh/Dutch, American, and Southern US origins. In Welsh/Dutch, it means "advice, counsel".
Is Rhett a boy or girl name?
Rhett is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #174. As a girl name, it is ranked #9147. Rhett is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Rhett?
Rhett is pronounced r-EHT.
How popular is the name Rhett?
Rhett is currently ranked #174 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Rhett?
Common nicknames for Rhett include Rhe, Rhy, Rhie, and Rhekins.
What are good middle names for Rhett?
Popular middle name pairings include Rhett James, Rhett Anthony, Rhett Walker, Rhett Harrison, Rhett Sullivan, Rhett Barrett, and Rhett Ford.
What are good sibling names for Rhett?
Names that pair well with Rhett as siblings include Scarlett, Vivienne, Atticus, Harper, Scout, Sawyer, and Wren.
How many syllables does Rhett have?
Rhett has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Rhett a common or rare name?
Rhett is a popular name, ranked #174 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Rhett
Rhett is a boy name with American and Southern US origins . The name means "advice, counsel" in Welsh/Dutch .
Is Rhett a boy or girl name? Rhett is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #174 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #9,147. Rhett is more commonly used as a boy name.
Rhett is currently ranked #174 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Rhett has 1 syllable and is pronounced r-EHT, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Rhett include Rhe, Rhy, Rhie, and Rhekins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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