Declining since 1985, #2,091 for boys today.
Popularity of Brenton since 1912
Babies named Brenton per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 40 |
| 1920s | 98 |
| 1930s | 116 |
| 1940s | 215 |
| 1950s | 311 |
| 1960s | 721 |
| 1970s | 1,608 |
| 1980s | 4,335 |
| 1990s | 3,222 |
| 2000s | 2,074 |
| 2010s | 1,848 |
| 2020s | 511 |
Meaning & origin
Brenton first entered U.S. birth records in 1912 and saw its peak popularity in 1984, when it reached rank 916. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily declining. In 2025, it ranked 2,091, with approximately 1 in 24,401 newborn boys named Brenton, making it a relatively uncommon choice. The name has seen the most use in Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. Originally an English surname denoting a place 'near the burnt land' or 'by the steep hill,' Brenton was adopted as a given name during the 20th-century fashion for surname-names. Today it retains a classic, understated feel, fitting alongside other surname-style names like Ross and Jarvis.
Brenton is an English surname and place name. It derives from Old English elements: either from 'bærnet' (burnt land) and 'tūn' (enclosure, settlement), meaning 'settlement near the burnt land', or from 'brant' (steep) and 'tūn', meaning 'farmstead by the steep hill'. Originally a locational surname for families from places called Brenton in Devon or elsewhere, it transitioned to occasional given name use in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Where Brenton 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
Nicknames: Brent, Bren
Sibling names for Brenton
Names that share Brenton's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Brenton
Names whose popularity has moved with Brenton's over the last 50 years.
