Holding steady.
Popularity of Breta since 1890
Babies named Breta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1970, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Breta's real moment was 1890.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 15 |
| 1930s | 7 |
| 1940s | 10 |
| 1950s | 28 |
| 1960s | 29 |
| 1970s | 24 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Breta is a rare name first recorded in U.S. Social Security data in 1890, with that year also marking its peak usage. It has never ranked among the top 1,000 names, and its 1-in-N statistic is not available due to insufficient data. The trajectory is stable, indicating no significant recent increase or decrease in usage. Breta did not appear in the top states list, meaning its use was not concentrated in any particular region. The name is likely a feminine form of Bret or a variant of Brette, but its exact etymology remains uncertain. Despite its obscurity, Breta has a simple, vintage charm that may appeal to parents seeking an uncommon name with a turn-of-the-century feel.
The etymology of Breta is unclear. It may be a feminine form of Bret, a short form of Breton or Brett, or a variant of Brette. Alternatively, it could be a modern coinage or a respelling of the Italian name Breta, which itself is of uncertain origin. Its earliest recorded use in the United States dates to the 1890s, but it has never entered common usage.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bree, Bret
Sibling names for Breta
Names that share Breta's style, for a brother or sister.
