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Burnett

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Burnett

Pronounced bur-NET /bɚˈnɛt/Medium

Meaning: Burnett is an English surname from Old French burnete, 'dark brown', a nickname for someone with brown hair or complexion. Handed on as an early-American first name, it also echoes in the public mind through the comedian Carol Burnett, who carries the surname.Low

In 30 seconds: Burnett is an English surname-name meaning 'brown-haired', a genuine early-1900s vintage rarity (said 'bur-NET').

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Origin LowEnglish, French

MeaningBurnett is an English surname from Old French burnete, 'dark brown', a nickname for someone with brown hair or complexion. Handed on as an early-American first name, it also echoes in the public mind through the comedian Carol Burnett, who carries the surname.

U.S. rank (1994)#8973 ↘ Falling

1994 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1920

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,561

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

Burnett comes from Old French burnete, 'dark brown' — originally a nickname for a brown-haired person, later a fixed surname. Like many surnames it became a given name in early-1900s America. Today the name is most familiar from entertainer Carol Burnett, though as a surname rather than a first name.

It was always modest as a first name, spread thinly across the early twentieth century and fading by mid-century. Anyone named Burnett today would be elderly; the name reads as a dignified surname-name, a distinctive vintage pick with a plain, descriptive 'brown-haired' meaning.

Did you know? Burnett was a turn-of-the-century surname-name: it trickled modestly for decades, never more than about four dozen boys in a year, cresting around 1920 before fading.

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Burnett — English surname, Old French burnete 'brown-haired'; Carol Burnett (surname echo)

Variations

BurnetBarnettBernett

Nicknames

BurnBernie

Famous Bearers

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If you like Burnett…

Bennett— a companion -ett surname used as a first name

Garrett— a related surname-style boy's name

Everett— a similar dignified vintage surname-name

Abbott— another English name

Emitt— shares Burnett's English roots

Explore names like Burnett

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Burnett mean?

Burnett is an English surname from Old French burnete, meaning 'brown-haired' or 'dark brown'.

How do you pronounce Burnett?

It's said bur-NET /bɚˈnɛt/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Burnett a boy or girl name?

Burnett is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Burnett?

Burnett was always rare, a vintage surname-name that faded after the early twentieth century.