Brad

The name Brad is an English short form of Bradley and has its roots in an Old English surname that refers to a geographical location. Figuratively, it means 'the broad clearing' or 'the extensive pasture.'

What does the name Brad mean?

Brad is an English short form of Bradley, derived from an Old English surname that traces back to a place name. The name is translated in a figurative sense as 'the broad clearing' or 'the extensive pasture.' Its origin comes from the Old English elements brād, meaning 'broad,' 'flat,' 'open,' or 'extensive,' and lēah, which stands for 'the wood,' 'the meadow,' 'the clearing,' or 'the pasture.' Occasionally, Brad is also used as a short form for other names that begin with 'Brad-', such as Bradford. Additionally, Bradley serves as the English equivalent of the Irish Gaelic name O'Brolachán. Another variant of the name is Bradly.

Where does the name Brad come from?

The name Brad has Old English roots and means 'the broad clearing.'

How do you pronounce Brad?

The pronunciation of Brad is monosyllabic and concise. It is typically pronounced as 'Brad' [bræd] or, in a Germanized form, as [bʁɛt]. The name combines an open vowel with a compact consonant structure. The clear 'd' at the end provides a distinct conclusion. Thus, Brad conveys a direct and confident impression – short and with a pronounced presence.

Popularity

In Germany, Brad is a rare first name. In 2015, it ranked 3,972nd among the most common male first names. Its best ranking was in 2011, at 2,275th place. Over the last ten years, Brad has been given as a first name fewer than 10 times, placing it at 8,008th in the ten-year statistics. For the period from 2010 to 2024, it ranks 5,827th.

Nicknames & pet names

Bradhuhn

Famous people

• Brad Armstrong (Canadian actor)
• Brad Arnold (singer of the band 3 Doors Down)
• Brad Artley (musician from America)
• Brad Backer (rugby player from Australia)
• Brad Badger (American football player)
• Brad Cohen (writer from the USA)
• Brad Cooper (swimmer from Australia)
• Brad Delson (guitarist of the band Linkin Park)
• Brad Ecklund (American footballer)
• Brad Fabel (golfer from America)
• Brad Field (English rugby player)
• Brad Garfield (American film director)
• Brad Gassoff (Canadian ice hockey player)
• Brad Gilbert (tennis player from the USA)
• Brad Greenquist (actor)
• Brad Isbister (Canadian ice hockey player)
• Brad Jones (American jazz musician)
• Brad Kessler (writer from America)
• Brad Larsen (Canadian ice hockey player)
• Brad McDougald (American football player)