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Brad

Boy name · 242 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Brad: 242 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 30 births in 1998.

Brad is overwhelmingly a short form of the English surname Bradley, which itself comes from a place name meaning "broad clearing" or "broad meadow" in Old English. It became a popular given name in the late 20th century, boosted by the global fame of actor Brad Pitt, whose rugged charm defined 1990s Hollywood. Another notable bearer is actor Brad Dourif, known for his distinctive voice and roles in *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest* and *The Lord of the Rings*. The root *brād* also appears in the Scottish place name Braid (as in the Braid Hills near Edinburgh), though not directly connected. While Bradley remains the full form, Brad has carved its own identity as a straightforward, friendly name—one that feels both classic and modern, yet never fussy.