Brea

♀ Girl

Pronounced BREE-ah /ˈbriːə/High

Meaning: Hill or high place; from Irish Gaelic bri or brí meaning hill, high place, or noble — a variant of the name Brie or Breah, used as a shortened feminine formMedium

In 30 seconds: Brea is a crisp two-syllable name rooted in the Irish Gaelic word for hill or high place, worn by a Californian city famous for its tar pits and embraced as a modern short feminine name with Celtic roots.

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Origin MediumIrish, Gaelic

MeaningHill or high place; from Irish Gaelic bri or brí meaning hill, high place, or noble — a variant of the name Brie or Breah, used as a shortened feminine form

U.S. rank (2024)#3120 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births51 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1993

Total births (all-time)≈ 5,684

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

The Irish and Scottish Gaelic element brí or brae means a hillside or high place and appears in many place names throughout Ireland and Scotland. As a given name, Brea functions as a variant of Bree or Brielle, appealing to parents who want the Irish sound with a more complete written form.

The name Brea gained traction in the United States in the late 20th century, often chosen by parents of Irish heritage or simply attracted to its clean sound and Celtic resonance. It sits alongside names like Brenna, Brielle, and Brianna as part of the broader Br- Irish-American naming tradition.

Did you know? La Brea (Spanish for the tar) in Los Angeles contains one of the world's richest Ice Age fossil deposits — and Brea, California, the nearby city, preserves the name in a different spelling, giving this short name a prehistoric dimension.

Overall data confidence 82%

Dineen, Irish-English Dictionary — brí meaning hill or high placeSSA Baby Names — U.S. usage data for Brea

Variations

BreeBrielleBriannaBreah

Nicknames

BreeBre

Famous Bearers

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If you like Brea…

Bree— same sound in a shorter form

Brielle— shares the Br- Irish sound with an extended French-influenced ending

Brianna— same Irish Celtic Br- tradition and feminine feel

Shea— fellow short Irish Gaelic-derived feminine name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Brea mean?

Brea means hill or high place from the Irish Gaelic brí, and carries connotations of nobility and elevation.

How do you pronounce Brea?

Brea is pronounced BREE-ah, two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Brea a boy or girl name?

Brea is used as a girls name.

How popular is Brea?

Brea is a relatively rare name in the United States, most common among families with Irish heritage or those drawn to Celtic-sounding names.