Brad is a masculine given name of English origin that means "broad" or "wide." It is derived from the Old English word "brad," which referred to something being broad in width.
The name Brad has been popular throughout history, with notable figures such as actor Brad Pitt and former American football player Bradshaw gaining recognition for their achievements. However, its popularity peaked during the mid-20th century when it was among the top 10 most popular boy names in the United States between 1946 and 1953.
Despite its English origin, the name Brad has also been used in other countries such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. In some cases, it may be given to individuals who have a broad or robust personality or physical appearance that matches the meaning of their name.
Overall, Brad is a strong and distinctive masculine given name with a rich history and meaningful origin. Its popularity has waxed and waned over time, but it remains a timeless choice for parents looking to give their son a powerful-sounding name with an interesting backstory.
The name Brad has seen a varied level of popularity over the years in the United States, with peaks and valleys in its usage as a baby name. In the mid-20th century, the name first gained traction, with a total of 5 births recorded in 1955.
Over the following decade, the name Brad experienced modest growth in popularity. The number of births peaked at 7 in both 1960 and 1961, indicating that this was a time when the name was particularly fashionable among parents. This trend continued with another peak of 7 births in 1964.
The late 1960s saw a slight dip in popularity for the name Brad, with only 6 births recorded each year in 1967 and 1968. However, this was followed by a resurgence in the early 1970s, with the highest number of births recorded at 13 in both 1970 and 1974.
The mid to late 1970s saw continued popularity for the name Brad, with a total of 8 births recorded each year from 1975 to 1977. This was followed by another peak in 1978, with 15 births recorded that year.
The popularity of the name Brad began to decline again in the early 1980s, with a total of only 9 births recorded each year from 1980 to 1982. However, there was another brief spike in popularity in 1983 and 1984, with 5 and 6 births recorded respectively.
Overall, the name Brad has seen several peaks and valleys in its usage as a baby name over the years in the United States. Despite this variation, the name remains popular among parents looking for a strong and distinctive name for their child.