Declining since 1985, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Bert since 1880
Babies named Bert per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Bert's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,808 |
| 1890s | 1,667 |
| 1900s | 1,253 |
| 1910s | 4,327 |
| 1920s | 5,765 |
| 1930s | 4,258 |
| 1940s | 3,807 |
| 1950s | 3,748 |
| 1960s | 2,920 |
| 1970s | 1,636 |
| 1980s | 752 |
| 1990s | 322 |
| 2000s | 149 |
| 2010s | 122 |
| 2020s | 51 |
Meaning & origin
Bert is a short, sturdy name with Germanic roots, meaning 'bright' or 'famous'. It peaked in 1880 at rank 10,695, but its trajectory has been falling sharply since 1985, reflecting the decline of many vintage short forms. Once a common nickname for Albert, Herbert, and other -bert names, Bert now stands alone as an unfussy choice that carries a no-nonsense midcentury feel. While it never ranked in the top 1,000 in recent decades, it retains a nostalgic appeal for families seeking a one-syllable classic that sidesteps trendiness. Its sound-alike variant Burt (popularized by actor Burt Reynolds) gives it a slightly different but equally straightforward alternative.
Bert originated as a short form of various Germanic compound names containing the element 'beraht' meaning 'bright' or 'famous', such as Albert, Bertram, or Herbert. It has been used independently as a given name since at least the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Where Bert is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Burt
Sibling names for Bert
Names that share Bert's style, for a brother or sister.
