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The first name Brad

A boy’s name.

Pronounced /bɹæd/ 1 syllable Male

Meaning and origin

Clipping.

Brad is a short form of

.

From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Popularity

Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

Brad last appeared in the official list in 2024, given to 5 boys. It peaked in 1997, with 212 births (#164).

0150300 1996200020052010201520202025
1,321
babies named Brad, 1996–2025
#3,688
rank in 2024
1997
peak year

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Brad with other names.

Popularity in the United States

Babies named Brad at birth, 1880–2025

In 2025, 24 boys born in the United States were named Brad, the 4,267th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1960, when 2,644 were.

01,5003,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
83,293
babies named Brad since 1880
#4,267
rank in 2025
1960
peak year

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Famous people named Brad

135 on Wikidata, most written-about first

  • Brad Pitt
    American actor (born 1963)
  • Brad Dourif
    American actor (born 1950)
  • Brad Delson
    American guitarist and rock musician, born 1977
  • Brad Renfro
    American actor (1982–2008)
  • Brad Friedel
    American soccer player and coach, born 1971
  • Brad Bird
    American film director, animator, screenwriter and producer (born 1957)
  • Brad Garrett
    American actor and stand-up comedian, born 1960
  • Brad Paisley
    American country musician (born 1972)
  • Brad Jones
    Australian association football player, born 1982
  • Brad Davis
    American actor (1949–1991)
  • Brad Davis
    American soccer player, born 1981
  • Brad Gilbert
    American tennis player and coach, born 1961

Questions

What does the name Brad mean?
Clipping.
How popular is the name Brad?
In 2024, 5 boys born in England and Wales were named Brad, ranking 3,688th. Its peak was 1997, with 212 births.
Is Brad a boy's or a girl's name?
Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 83,293 US babies named Brad since 1880 were boys.
When was Brad most popular?
1960 in the United States, when 2,644 babies were named Brad, its highest rank at 134th.
How do you pronounce Brad?
Brad is /bɹæd/, one syllable.