Brett is a name of English origin that has been popular for generations. It is derived from the Old Norse word "Bret," which means "from Brittany." Brittany is a region in northwestern France where there was a significant influence of Norse culture during the Viking Age.
The name Brett is thought to have originally been used as a nickname or byname, given to someone who had visited or was from Brittany. It has also been suggested that it could have been used as an occupational name for a Breton weaver, as "breton" was also used in Middle English to refer to a breed of sheep.
The use of the name Brett can be traced back to at least the 13th century in England. In the Paston Letters, a collection of letters written by the Paston family between 1422 and 1489, there is reference to a man named Brett who was employed as a groom.
Throughout history, the name Brett has been used for both boys and girls. However, it has become more commonly associated with males in recent years. Today, Brett is still a popular choice for parents looking for a strong, unique name for their child. It has a modern sound while also having a rich historical background.
The name Brett experienced a significant increase in popularity between the 1940s and the late 1950s to early 1960s, reaching its peak in 1963 with 2609 births. After this period, the number of newborn girls named Brett began to decline steadily, dropping from a high of over 3000 births per year in the late 1960s to less than 400 by the early 1970s. This downward trend continued throughout the rest of the century and into the 21st century, with fewer than 300 babies named Brett born each year since 2005. In recent years, the popularity of the name has further decreased, with only 186 births recorded in 2023.