Find out how popular the first name Beckett has been for the last 32 years (from 1992 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Beckett by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Beckett is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 96% of people named Beckett being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,865 male babies and 96 female babies born with the name Beckett.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 96 baby girls were named Beckett in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Beckett

The name Beckett has its origins in the medieval English language, derived from the Old English words "bece" meaning a stream or brook, and "hett" meaning a dwelling or homestead. It was originally a locational surname given to families residing near a small stream or rivulet.

The earliest recorded use of the name Beckett dates back to the 12th century, found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of landholdings and taxation compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The name appeared as "Becchet" in this document, referring to a locality in Nottinghamshire, England.

In the 13th century, the name Beckett gained prominence due to its association with St. Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was assassinated in 1170 on the orders of King Henry II. Becket's martyrdom and subsequent canonization as a saint popularized the name throughout medieval Europe.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Beckett was Thomas Becket (c. 1119 – 1170), the famous Archbishop of Canterbury whose conflict with King Henry II led to his murder in Canterbury Cathedral, an event that shaped the Church's relationship with the English monarchy.

Another historical figure bearing the name was Samuel Beckett (1906 – 1989), the renowned Irish novelist, playwright, and poet, widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Beckett's works, such as "Waiting for Godot" and "Endgame," explored themes of existentialism and the absurdity of human existence.

In the realm of sports, Walter Beckett (1914 – 1996) was a professional baseball player for the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, known for his defensive skills as an outfielder and his clutch hitting during his career in the 1930s and 1940s.

Another notable figure was Mary Beckett (1926 – 2013), a British author and illustrator who wrote and illustrated numerous children's books, including the popular "Wallypug" series, which followed the adventures of a benevolent little creature.

Sir Edmund Beckett (1787 – 1874) was a prominent English lawyer and Member of Parliament, who served as the first Baron Grimthorpe and played a significant role in the construction and restoration of several historic buildings, including St Albans Cathedral and the Palace of Westminster.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Beckett was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Beckett, please contact us.

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