Brent is an English masculine given name derived from an Old English surname, which in turn originated as a place name. The place name Brent may come from Celtic words: in the case of the River Brent, it possibly means "holy one," whereas for villages in Somerset and Devon it signifies a "high place" or "from a steep hill," akin to the Celtic word for hill. As a surname, Brent often denoted someone living near a location called Brent.The use of Brent as a given name emerged in the United States in the early 20th century. It entered the top thousand names for boys in 1933 and became especially popular in the mid-20th century. Though sometimes considered a short form of Brenton, the independent use of Brent predates Brenton's regular appearance as a first name by many years, indicating its separate origin.Notable BearersNotable individuals with the surname Brent include Canadian-born Episcopal bishop Charles Brent (1862–1929), a missionary in the Philippines and a prominent figure in the ecumenical movement, and American singer Bix Brent (1923–1972). As a given name, Brent has been borne by actors such as Brent Spiner, known for his role in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and columnist Brent Musburger.Meaning: derived from Celtic words for "hill" or "holy one"Origin: English surname from place nameType: Given name (male)Usage Regions: English-speaking countries, notably United States