Brett is a name of Scottish origin and it means "small fire" or "speckled." It is believed to have been derived from the Old Norse word "brátt," which means "quickly."
The name Brett has a long history, dating back to medieval Scotland where it was used as a nickname for someone who had red hair or a fiery temper. Over time, Brett evolved into a given name in its own right.
In English-speaking countries, the name Brett gained popularity during the 20th century. It became particularly popular in the United States and Australia during the 1970s and 1980s. Today, Brett is still considered a classic boys' name with a strong, masculine sound.
Some famous people with the name Brett include American actor Brett Cullen, Australian rules footballer Brett Burton, and Canadian ice hockey player Brett Hull.
The name Brett peaked in popularity around the mid-1960s to early 1970s with a significant rise from 36 births in 1963 to a peak of 79 births in 1974, followed by a steady decline over the next few decades. By the year 2000, it had become quite rare, with fewer than 50 births per year. The most recent data shows a slight resurgence since 2016, with around 10-20 births per year for Brett. Overall, from 1950 to 2023, there have been a total of 3378 births named Brett.