Burt

Burt is a masculine given name and a surname. In English-speaking countries it is commonly used as a short form of Burton or Bertram, and has occasionally been adopted as a stand-alone given name.

The name Burt is often traced to Burton, from Old English burh meaning fortified town and tun meaning enclosure; another possible origin is Bertram, a Germanic name built from elements sometimes interpreted as “bright.”

Notable people named Burt include actors Burt Lancaster and Burt Reynolds; composer Burt Bacharach; actors Burt Ward and Burt Kwouk; and aerospace engineer Burt Rutan. The name has been used by several other figures in entertainment, science, and public life.

Places named Burt include Burt, Iowa, a small city in the United States, and Burt County in Nebraska.

In fiction, Burt Gummer is a recurring character in the Tremors film series, and Burt Macklin is the alter ego of a Parks and Recreation character. The name also appears in various books, films, and television as a straightforward given name for male characters.