Boy
Germanic
2 syllables
Barrett
BAIR-et
/ˈbærɪt/
"Bear strength" — a name of rugged power, Southern charm, and enduring character
Barrett is an English surname-turned-given-name derived from Germanic roots meaning 'bear strength.' It has the rugged, confident feel of Southern American naming traditions while also carrying a literary connection through the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The name strikes a balance between masculine strength and cultured elegance, making it popular across a wide spectrum of families who want something both strong and distinguished.
Quick Facts
Letters7
SyllablesBar · rett
GenderBoy
OriginGermanic
Root WordBero-hard
MeaningBear strength, brave as a bear
PopularityPopular
Peak Year2018
Trend
→ Stable
Nicknames
BarryBearBarre
About the Name Barrett
Barrett means 'bear strength' or 'brave as a bear,' derived from the Germanic elements bero (bear) and hard (brave, strong). It originated as a surname and transitioned to a popular given name in the 20th century.
Barrett ranks around #195 in the US, making it a solidly popular choice especially in Southern states. It has been on a steady rise since the 2000s as surname-style names gained popularity.
Barrett suggests a strong, confident, and reliable person with a grounded nature. The name conveys someone who is dependable and protective, with quiet leadership qualities and an unpretentious character.
Short, punchy middles work best: Barrett James, Barrett Cole, Barrett Lee, or Barrett Knox. Single-syllable names emphasize Barrett's strong, decisive sound.
Barrett originated as a Germanic given name meaning 'bear strength,' which became a surname in medieval England and Ireland through Norman influence. It has been used as a first name since at least the 19th century.
Bear is a popular nickname for Barrett, embracing the name's ursine meaning with warmth. Barry is a more traditional option, and Barre is occasionally used as a sophisticated short form.
Personality of Barrett
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Barrett
Creativity
68%
Elegance
75%
Independence
85%
Intelligence
78%
Strength
90%
Warmth
72%
Famous People Named Barrett
E
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Celebrated Victorian poet known for Sonnets from the Portuguese, including 'How do I love thee?'
B
Barrett Strong
American soul singer and songwriter who co-wrote many of Motown's biggest hits with Norman Whitfield
B
Barrett Hayton
Canadian ice hockey player who plays as a forward in the NHL
S
Syd Barrett
Founding member and original frontman of Pink Floyd, visionary songwriter and artist
Middle Names for Barrett
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Barrett
Barrett James
Barrett Cole
Barrett Lee
Barrett Wayne
Barrett Scott
Barrett Dean
Barrett Lane
Barrett Knox
Barrett Grey
Barrett Nash
Barrett Reed
Barrett Tate
Names Similar to Barrett
Similar Sound
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Barrett
700s CE
The Germanic root Bero-hard meaning 'bear strength' is used among Frankish warriors
1200s
Barrett establishes itself as an English and Irish surname carried by Norman settlers
1806
Elizabeth Barrett Browning is born, later making Barrett famous in literary circles worldwide
1960s
Syd Barrett becomes the founding creative force behind Pink Floyd
2000s–present
Barrett rises as a popular given name, especially in the American South, peaking around 2018
Numerology & Symbolism of Barrett
3
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
6
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Taurus
4
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Forest Brown
💎
Lucky Stone
Tiger's Eye
🌸
Lucky Flower
Oak Blossom
Barrett Around the World
How Barrett is written in different languages and scripts
باريت
Arabic
バレット
Japanese
Барретт
Russian
배릿
Korean
巴雷特
Chinese
Μπάρετ
Greek
बैरेट
Hindi
בארט
Hebrew
Looking for Name Ideas?
Explore our name inspiration guides