Declining since 1986, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Bretton since 1958
Babies named Bretton per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 19 |
| 1960s | 65 |
| 1970s | 124 |
| 1980s | 217 |
| 1990s | 282 |
| 2000s | 174 |
| 2010s | 173 |
| 2020s | 52 |
Meaning & origin
Bretton first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1958, with a peak in popularity in 1987 when it ranked significantly higher than its current position of 7,194th (2023 data). Since 1986, its usage has been steadily declining. The name is used primarily for boys, and in recent years it has become quite rare: 8 recorded births in 2023, or approximately 1 in every 155,280 male births. Its regional popularity is diffuse; no single state dominates its usage. The name's origins are likely a modern coinage, possibly influenced by the surname Bretton or a creative respelling of Brett. Its rarity may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive name that retains the familiar sound of Brett.
Bretton likely originated as a variant of the name Brett, which derives from the Old French word 'bret' meaning 'a Breton' or 'from Brittany'. The spelling with '-ton' may have been influenced by place names ending in '-ton' (Old English 'tun', meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement'). It has been used as a given name in the United States since the mid-20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Brett
Sibling names for Bretton
Names that share Bretton's style, for a brother or sister.
