beraht

Beraht is a masculine given name of Germanic origin that appears in historical English records as a variant of the name Beorht, which means bright or shining. The form beraht reflects medieval spelling practices and the fluid orthography of Anglo-Saxon and early Middle English manuscripts.

Etymology and form: The name derives from Old English beorht, itself from Proto-Germanic *berhtaz, meaning bright or famous. Variants such as Beorht, Berht, and Behrt appear in early sources, and beraht is one of the later spellings that persisted in some texts. As with many Anglo-Saxon names, the form could be recorded differently depending on the scribe and the period.

Usage and reception: Beraht is uncommon in modern populations and is mainly of interest in onomastic studies focused on Anglo-Saxon names. It is rarely encountered outside historical or linguistic contexts, though it occasionally appears in modern fantasy or historical fiction to evoke an archaic or Anglo-Saxon ambiance. There are no widely documented contemporary figures known by this name in major biographical references.

Cultural context: Names built from the element beorht were widespread in early medieval England and contributed to a family of names emphasizing brightness or splendor, such as Beorhtwald and Beorhtwulf. Beraht sits within this broader naming tradition as a less common variant or stylistic adaptation.

See also: Beorht, Berht, Behrt, Beorhtwald, Beorhtwulf. The related concept “bright” also appears in English given names and place-names influenced by the same root.