Brad is of American origin, derived from Old English elements 'brad' meaning broad and 'wulf' meaning wolf. It gained popularity as a given name in the United States during the mid-20th century. The name Brad peaked in usage during the 1970s and 1980s but remains relatively common today. Notable individuals with this name include actor Brad Pitt, astronaut Bradley 'Brad' Armstrong, and former American football quarterback Bradshaw Johnson. In popular culture, Brad is also the given name of characters like Brad Majors from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and Brad Channing from "Less Than Zero." The name Brad is often associated with a friendly, approachable personality and a warm smile. It can be shortened to 'Bradley' or 'Brad.'
The name Brad experienced significant popularity between 1969 and 1982, peaking in 1976 with 16 births. However, it has since declined, with only 5 or fewer births per year from 1983 onwards.