Bronte

bron-tay
Greek
"thunder"

Bronte Origin and Meaning

The name Bronte is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning "thunder".

This lovely surname of the three novel-writing sisters, now used as a baby name, makes a fitting tribute for lovers of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. While the original name took an umlaut over the e, modern English speakers may find that more trouble than it's worth.

Trivia note: The Anglo-Irish clergyman who was the father of Charlotte, Emily and Anne changed his name from the original Brunty. According to scholars, the family pronounced the name brun-tee, though in the 21st century world it's commonly pronounced bron-tay.

In Australia, the name is more likely to take inspiration from Bronte Beach in Sydney. It was named after Lord Nelson, the 1st Duke of Bronté. He got his title from a town in Sicily, itself named after a mythological Cyclops.

Many people first noticed the name in the film Green Card, as the name of the Andie MacDowell character.

As of 2023, Bronte was one of the fastest rising names in England and Wales, re-entering the Top 1000 for the first time in six years.

# 557 on Nameberry

Bronte Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Bronte Popularity

Famous People Named Bronte

  • Bronte Campbell
    Australian swimmer
  • Bronte Amelia Arnold Barratt
    Australian swimmer
  • Bronterre Washington "Bronte" Dooley
    Australian male politician
  • The Bronte Family (Charlotte
    Emily and Anne Bronte), English novelists

Bronte in Pop Culture

  • Brontë Parrish
    character in film "Green Card"
  • Bronte
    main character in "Bruiser" by Neil Shusterman
  • Councilor Bronte
    character in the "Keeper of the Lost Cities" book series by Shannon Messenger