brad

Brad is a masculine given name, commonly a diminutive of Bradley or Bradford. It is also used as a surname in English-speaking countries. In modern usage, Brad is often given as a standalone name, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom since the mid-20th century.

Etymology and usage: The name is of English origin. As a shortened form, it derives from Bradley, from Old English brād "broad" + lēah "clearing" (meadow), and from Bradford, from brād "broad" + ford. The element brād meaning "broad" is the shared root in both forms; the name began to be used independently as a given name in the 20th century.

Notable people named Brad include actor Brad Pitt; actor and comedian Brad Garrett; country musician Brad Paisley; NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski; former professional tennis player and coach Brad Gilbert; and venture capitalist Brad Feld.

Other uses: in carpentry, a brad is a thin, lightweight nail used for finishing work. The term also appears in various place names and fictional characters named Brad.

Related names include Bradley and Bradford, from which Brad is derived, and several variations in different languages.