Bretton is a unisex given name of Welsh origin, derived from the ancient Welsh personal name Bret. It means 'little Brittany,' referring to the historical region in northwest France. The name gained prominence during the Middle Ages and was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Today, Bretton is still used as a given name but is more commonly found in Wales and other parts of the United Kingdom. It is sometimes spelled Bretten or Bretan.
The name Bretton experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a total of 1089 babies given this name from 1958 to 2023. The name's peak occurred in 1987 and 1992, with both years seeing 36 births each, indicating its highest demand during those periods. Conversely, the lowest points were recorded in 1958 with just 11 births, and more recently in 2023 with only 5 babies named Bretton. Overall, the name's popularity has been on a general decline since peaking in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the most recent years showing significantly lower birth counts.