Rising since 1985, #188 for boys today.
Popularity of Rhett since 1917
Babies named Rhett per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 10 |
| 1930s | 38 |
| 1940s | 228 |
| 1950s | 509 |
| 1960s | 975 |
| 1970s | 1,521 |
| 1980s | 1,477 |
| 1990s | 2,173 |
| 2000s | 3,021 |
| 2010s | 13,060 |
| 2020s | 13,652 |
Meaning & origin
Rhett is a name with literary fame, tied to the dashing Rhett Butler from 'Gone with the Wind'. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1917 but saw a resurgence in the 1980s and has been steadily rising since 1985. Its peak came in 2021, and in 2025 it ranks 188th, a placement that underscores its modern appeal. The name is particularly popular in states like Wyoming, South Dakota, and Vermont, where it is given to roughly 1 in 882 boys. Rhett's trajectory reflects a broader trend of surname-style and vintage names reclaiming favor among new parents.
The name Rhett is most famously associated with Rhett Butler, the fictional protagonist of Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel 'Gone with the Wind'. It is likely derived from the Dutch surname 'de Raedt' or from an English surname of uncertain origin. The given name gained popularity in the United States after the novel and subsequent 1939 film.
Where Rhett 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.
Sibling names for Rhett
Names that share Rhett's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Rhett
Names whose popularity has moved with Rhett's over the last 50 years.
