Bret

♂ Boy

Pronounced BRET /ˈbrɛt/High

Meaning: Single-t spelling of Brett — from a surname, 'a Breton, a native of Brittany'Medium

In 30 seconds: Crisp and classic: Bret spells Brett — 'a Breton, from Brittany'. Sleek, friendly, and strong (writer Bret Harte).

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Origin MediumEnglish, French

MeaningSingle-t spelling of Brett — from a surname, 'a Breton, a native of Brittany'

U.S. rank (2025)#4883 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births20 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1959

Total births (all-time)≈ 29,818

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Bret is a single-t spelling of Brett — from a surname meaning 'a Breton, a native of Brittany' (the Celtic region of France). A crisp, sleek, friendly name; the spelling personalizes it.

It registers thinly beside Brett. Rare, a-Breton at the root, and sleek.

Did you know? Brett means 'a Breton' (a native of Brittany, in France) — Bret is a streamlined single-t spelling (writer Bret Harte; Bret Hart the wrestler); crisp and friendly.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name — Brett — root etymology

Variations

BrettBredt

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Bret…

Brett— the standard spelling

Brent— a companion Br- name

Brody— a fellow Br- name

Beckett— another crisp surname-name

Explore names like Bret

By themeenglish surname-name french

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Bret mean?

Bret spells Brett — 'a Breton, a native of Brittany'.

How do you pronounce Bret?

It's said BRET /ˈbrɛt/ — a single syllable.

Is Bret a boy or girl name?

Bret is a boy's name.

How popular is Bret?

Bret is a rare spelling in the U.S.; Brett is more common.