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Brea

Girl name · 7 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Brea: 7 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 4 births in 2022.

Brea is a name with multiple origins, most commonly considered a short form of Breanna or a feminine variant of the Irish name Brian, meaning "noble" or "high." It also has roots in the Old English word *brēa*, meaning "hill" or "mound," which appears in place names like Brea in Cornwall and the Scottish village of Brea in Shetland. The name gained modern visibility through the American actress Brea Grant, known for her roles in *Heroes* and *Dexter*. In Scotland, Brea has been a rare but steady choice since the 1990s, occasionally linked to the Gaelic *brígh* meaning "strength" or "power." Its simple, two-syllable sound gives it a fresh, contemporary feel while still nodding to ancient landscapes.

Girl 2 of 52 years

Peak year
20224 babies
Latest (2022)
#6254 babies
Total births
7since 2018
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2022 · 4
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).