Brad - Name Meaning and Popularity -

Meaning of Brad

Brad, functioning as a unisex given name within an Anglo-American onomastic framework, originates as an aphetic form of the Old English toponymic surnames Bradley—literally “broad clearing”—and Bradford—“broad ford,” the constituent brad denoting “broad.” Pronounced uniformly in English as BRAD (/bræd/), the name emerged from its expanded counterparts to establish independent usage over the course of the twentieth century. According to Social Security Administration data, 26 newborns in the United States received the name Brad in 2024, ranking it 898th and illustrating a marked descent from its zenith in the late 1970s, when annual occurrences surpassed 2,500 and it held a position within the top 100 male given names. While traditionally allocated to male offspring, contemporary naming practices have embraced its unisex potential, applying the name to female children and reinforcing its gender-neutral character. The name’s monosyllabic structure and etymological connection to breadth contribute to associations of directness and fortitude, reflecting enduring appeal amid fluctuating popularity metrics.