Find out how popular the first name Brey has been for the last 25 years (from 1998 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Brey by gender

Based on the last 25 years of data, Brey is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 11 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Brey.

The history of the first name Brey

The given name Brey has its roots in the Old German language, originating from the word "brei," which means "broad" or "wide." This name was particularly prevalent in the regions of modern-day Germany and the Netherlands during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brey can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of medieval charters and documents from the 9th century. In this text, a nobleman named Brey von Rothenburg is mentioned as a landowner in the region of Franconia, which was part of the Holy Roman Empire.

During the 12th century, the name Brey gained popularity among the noble families of the Rhineland region. A notable figure from this era was Brey von Stein, a knight who participated in the Third Crusade and fought alongside Richard the Lionheart in the siege of Acre in 1191.

In the 14th century, the name Brey appeared in the historical records of the Hanseatic League, a powerful commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and towns in Northern Europe. Brey Hansemann, a wealthy merchant from the city of Lübeck, was instrumental in establishing trade routes and diplomatic relations with the kingdoms of Scandinavia.

As the Renaissance swept across Europe, the name Brey found its way into the realms of art and literature. Brey von Esslingen, a German painter born in 1480, was renowned for his masterful depictions of religious scenes and portraits of nobility.

In the 17th century, Brey Köhler, a German astronomer and mathematician, made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. His work on the motion of planets and comets was highly influential and paved the way for future discoveries in astronomy.

Over the centuries, the name Brey has been carried by various individuals from diverse backgrounds, each leaving their mark on history through their accomplishments and contributions to society.

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 Brey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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