Burt

♂ Boy

Pronounced BURT /ˈbɜːrt/High

Meaning: Burt is a short form of Burton, an Old English place and surname name meaning 'fortified enclosure' or 'fort town'; it can also shorten Bertram ('bright raven'). Actors Burt Lancaster and Burt Reynolds made it a rugged mid-century staple.Medium

In 30 seconds: A rugged one-beat name: Burt trims Burton ('fort town') (said 'BURT'). It peaked around 1956, in the Burt Lancaster era.

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Origin MediumEnglish, German

MeaningBurt is a short form of Burton, an Old English place and surname name meaning 'fortified enclosure' or 'fort town'; it can also shorten Bertram ('bright raven'). Actors Burt Lancaster and Burt Reynolds made it a rugged mid-century staple.

U.S. rank (2017)#10986 ↗ Rising

2017 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1956

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,555

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

Burt shortens Burton, from Old English words for a 'fortified town', and can also stand for Bertram ('bright raven'). Hollywood leading men Burt Lancaster and Burt Reynolds gave it a tough, charismatic image, and it peaked around 1956. It later cooled as fuller and newer names took over (said 'BURT').

By the 1980s the name had grown rare on American birth records. It reads today as a mid-century movie-star name. Sturdy, place-rooted, and uncommon.

Did you know? Burt, a short form of Burton, was a leading-man name of the mid-century thanks to Burt Lancaster and later Burt Reynolds; it peaked for American boys around 1956.

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Burt — Short form of Burton; Old English 'fort town'

Variations

BertBurtonBertram

Nicknames

BurtieB

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Burt…

Bert— a like spelling of the same short name

Burton— the fuller name Burt shortens

Vernon— a like sturdy mid-century boys' name

Floyd— a like one-syllable vintage pick

Explore names like Burt

By themeshort vintage faded midcentury

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Burt mean?

Burt means 'fortified town', a short form of Burton; it can also shorten Bertram ('bright raven').

How do you pronounce Burt?

It's said BURT /ˈbɜːrt/ — one syllable, like 'Bert'.

Is Burt a boy or girl name?

Burt is a boy's name, a short form of Burton.

Is Burt making a comeback?

It stays rare, reading as a mid-century leading-man name.