Garrett

Gender: Boy

Meaning: Spear strength, brave with a spear

Origin: Germanic/Old English

Popularity: Ranked #564 in 2025 with 526 babies born.

History: Garrett is an English and Irish surname derived from the Germanic Gerard or Gerald, meaning spear rule. It is particularly common in Ireland as a form of the Norman name Gerald. As a given name, it has been popular in the United States, associated with Pat Garrett, the lawman who shot Billy the Kid. The name's journey to American prominence began in earnest during the late 19th century, with first recorded instances appearing around 1880. Throughout the 20th century, Garrett gained steady traction as parents sought strong, masculine names with historical depth. The name experienced remarkable growth from the 1980s onward, establishing itself as a top-tier choice for American boys. In 2000, Garrett reached its peak popularity when 5,840 babies were named Garrett, cementing its position as a top-75 choice for the decade. Over its recorded history in the United States, more than 136,200 babies have been named Garrett, with boys comprising 135,748 of that total, demonstrating the name's overwhelmingly masculine association. This growth reflected broader American naming trends favoring strong, traditional names with Germanic and English roots. However, like many names that dominated the early 2000s, Garrett's popularity has shifted in recent years as American parents gravitate toward less common and more distinctive choices. As of 2025, the name ranks at number 564, with 526 babies receiving the name that year. This decline reflects evolving preferences in American naming culture, where uniqueness and individuality are increasingly valued. Despite this shift, Garrett remains a recognizable and respected name with deep historical roots in American tradition.

Nicknames: Gary, Garrett, Garr, Rett, G

Personality vibes: Strong, Brave, Dependable, Steadfast, Honorable

Sibling name pairings: Mason, Ethan, Connor, Ryan, Caleb, Owen, Logan

Middle name ideas: Garrett James, Garrett Michael, Garrett Alexander, Garrett William, Garrett Joseph, Garrett Christopher, Garrett Thomas

Famous people named Garrett:

• Pat Garrett — Legendary lawman known for shooting outlaw Billy the Kid in 1881.
• Garrett Hedlund — American actor known for roles in Troy, Four Rooms, and country music films.
• Garrett Wang — American actor best known for Star Trek Voyager as Ensign Harry Kim.
• Garrett FitzGerald — Former Irish Taoiseach and prominent political figure in Irish history.
• Garrett Whitley — High school valedictorian who became viral for viral TikTok content.

Garrett in America Today

In 2025, Garrett occupies a middle position in American naming culture, ranked at number 564 with 526 babies named Garrett that year. This represents a significant shift from its dominance in the early 2000s, reflecting broader generational changes in how American parents approach naming. The name remains recognizable and carries positive associations, but no longer carries the mainstream momentum it once enjoyed. Today's Garrett is more likely to be a millennial or Gen X individual rather than a Gen Z child, giving it a somewhat retro quality for younger generations. Among American families, Garrett appeals to parents who value traditional, strong masculine names with historical substance but who aren't necessarily following current trending patterns. The name skews predominantly male, with girls receiving the name only about 0.3 percent of the time historically. In modern America, Garrett projects reliability and steadiness without feeling dated, making it a solid choice for parents seeking a classic name that won't blend into a classroom full of Liams and Noahs.

Naming Trends

Garrett's trajectory in America tells a compelling story about shifting naming preferences over more than a century. Beginning with its first recorded instances around 1880, the name grew gradually through the early and mid-twentieth century as parents embraced strong, Germanic-rooted masculine names. The real acceleration began in the 1980s, when Garrett entered the top 100 for American boys. Throughout the 1990s, the name climbed steadily, reaching its zenith in the year 2000 with 5,840 births and a rank of number 74. This peak represented the culmination of a two-decade upward trend and established Garrett as one of the defining names of millennial boys. However, since 2000, the name has experienced consistent decline, dropping from its top-75 position to number 564 as of 2025. This downward trend reflects a broader American shift away from the most popular names toward greater individuality and diversity in naming choices. The 136,200 total babies named Garrett across recorded American history represent a concentrated boom in the 1990s and 2000s, with relatively modest numbers in both earlier and later periods.

Cultural Notes

Garrett's place in American culture is anchored by several notable references that have contributed to its image and popularity. Pat Garrett, the legendary lawman who killed Billy the Kid in 1881, represents the name's connection to American frontier mythology and law-and-order values that resonate across generations. This historical association gave the name a rebellious yet righteous quality that appealed to many American parents. In modern entertainment, Garrett Hedlund has brought contemporary visibility to the name through his film and television work, though he has not achieved megastar status that would significantly boost naming trends. The name appears periodically in American television, film, and literature, often portraying characters who are dependable, skilled, or morally grounded. Unlike some names that become associated with particular cultural movements or demographics, Garrett has maintained broad appeal across different regions, socioeconomic backgrounds, and ethnic communities within America. The name's Germanic origins feel sufficiently Americanized through its English associations that it doesn't carry strong ethnic markers for most contemporary Americans. Its decline in recent years reflects less a cultural rejection and more the natural cycling of naming fashions as parents seek distinctiveness in an increasingly connected world.

Name length: 7 letters

How common is Garrett? About 1 in 6,328 babies born in 2025 were named Garrett, or roughly 1.4 per day in the United States.

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