Barret Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BAIR-it //ˈbærɪt//
Origin: English; French
Meaning: English: brave as a bear; French: a variant of the surname Barret
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Barret has its roots in the Old Germanic name "Berhtwald," which is composed of the elements "berht," meaning "bright" or "famous," and "wald," meaning "rule" or "power." This name evolved into various forms as it passed through different languages. In the Old French, it appeared as "Barret," which was a diminutive form of "Baron" or a variant of "Berard." The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Old French names were adopted into the English lexicon.
Historically, the name Barret has been associated with notable figures and events. One significant milestone is its appearance in medieval records, where it was often used as a surname.
In the 12th century, it became common among the Anglo-Norman nobility, reflecting the influence of French culture in England after the conquest. The name has also been linked to various saints, particularly Saint Berard, a 13th-century martyr, which further contributed to its usage in Christian contexts.
Culturally, Barret carries connotations of strength and leadership, derived from its etymological roots. The notion of brightness or fame associated with the name has made it a symbol of honor and distinction.
In some traditions, the name has been used in literature and folklore, reinforcing its significance over the centuries. Diminutive forms like "Barry" have also emerged, though they are less frequently noted in historical texts.
Overall, Barret reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, rooted in its Germanic origins and shaped by historical developments.
Famous people named Barret
In this section, you will find notable people named Barret. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Barret who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Barret who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Barret Oliver is an actor and photographer best known for The NeverEnding Story, D.A.R.Y.L., and Cocoon.
Barret Foa is an actor best known for NCIS: Los Angeles, Avenue Q, and The Last Ship.
Fictional characters named Barret
The following list of fictional characters named Barret is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Barret Wallace is a fictional character from the video game Final Fantasy VII. He is a key member of the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE and serves as a father figure to the protagonist, Cloud Strife.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Barret, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Barret. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Barret was first seen in the United States in 1960.
Barret has ranked as high as #6474 nationally, which occurred in 2019, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Louisiana, and Missouri.
In the past 5 years the name Barret has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Barret is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Barret was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Barret.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 2024 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2023 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 2022 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2021 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 2020 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 2019 | 40 | 40 | 0 |
| 2018 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2017 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 2016 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2015 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 2014 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2013 | 36 | 36 | 0 |
| 2012 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2011 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2010 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2009 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2008 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2007 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2006 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2005 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2004 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2003 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2002 | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| 2001 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 2000 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1999 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1998 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1997 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1996 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 1995 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1994 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1993 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1992 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 1991 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1990 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 1989 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 1988 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1987 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 1986 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 1985 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 1984 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1983 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| 1982 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| 1981 | 36 | 36 | 0 |
| 1980 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1979 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1978 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1977 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1976 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1975 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 1974 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1973 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1972 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1971 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1970 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1969 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1968 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1967 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1966 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1965 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1964 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1963 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1962 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1961 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1960 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Top States for Barret (2019)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 10 |