Declining since 2011, #2,822 for girls today.
Popularity of Bree since 1971
Babies named Bree per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2010, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Bree's real moment was 1977.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 1,510 |
| 1980s | 1,433 |
| 1990s | 1,587 |
| 2000s | 2,058 |
| 2010s | 2,156 |
| 2020s | 543 |
Meaning & origin
Bree entered the U.S. naming charts in 1971 and experienced its peak popularity in 1977, ranking highest among girls born that year. In 2025, the name ranks 2822, with about 1 in 26,788 newborn girls receiving the name. Its trajectory has been falling since 2011, reflecting a broader shift away from simpler, nickname-style names. The name has seen particular favor in Iowa, New York, and California over the years. While Bree can stand alone, it originally gained traction as a short form of longer Irish-rooted names like Brianna and Bridget, both of which share the meaning of 'strength'.
Bree is primarily an Irish name, likely derived from the Gaelic element 'brígh', meaning 'power, strength'. It first emerged as a nickname for names like Bridget and Brianna before becoming an independent name in the 20th century. Its use in English-speaking countries grew steadily in the 1970s, peaking in popularity in 1977.
Where Bree is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Bree” around the world
Where Bree lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Sibling names for Bree
Names that share Bree's style, for a brother or sister.
