Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Rhett

We’re not sure if you “give a damn” but the name Rhett is actually the transferred use of a Dutch surname. Rhett is the anglicized form of “de Raedt” which comes from the Middle Dutch word “raet” meaning “advice, counsel”. The surname was brought to the United States by Dutch settlers in the late 1600s, particularly in the region of the Carolinas (present day Charleston, South Carolina) where the Rhett family became particularly prominent (Robert Rhett was a well known secessionist and deeply pro-South politician during the Civil War era). What makes the name Rhett really notable, however, is its literary currency. Margaret Mitchell used the name Rhett Butler for her counterpart protagonist to the heroine Scarlett O’Hara in her 1936 classic “Gone with the Wind”. Rhett Butler is one of the most memorable characters ever created in American literature. Mitchell used very southern and sometimes unusual names for her many characters in the novel, so it’s no surprise she would take the well-established Charleston family name Rhett and use it as her character’s first name (Rhett Butler himself hailed from Charleston). Perhaps Mitchell understood the etymology of her character’s name because Rhett Butler was often dispensing “advice” to his fellow Southerners regarding their weak prospects for winning the Civil War (and we now know Rhett was right!). In fact throughout the book he employs his cool-headed counsel. For more information on Rhett Butler’s illustrious place in American literature, see Literary References below. Because the name is so strongly associated with American fiction, the name Rhett has been little used outside of the United States (except occasionally in Canada and Australia).

All About the Baby Name – Rhett

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME RHETT

The number Eight personality has everything to do with power, wealth and abundance. Somehow, this personality has been blessed on the material plane, but their authoritative and problem-solving traits provide evidence that their good fortunes are not just the luck of the lottery. They are well earned. This is the personality of CEOs and high-ranking military personnel. Eights are intensely active, hard-driving individuals. Success is only meaningful to them after a job well-done.  They are remarkable in their ability to see the larger picture right down to the smallest details, and organize a strategy around success. They then have the ability to direct a group around them toward any goal, and realize individual potential to get the most out of their team.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME RHETT

Remarkably, the name Rhett did not appear on the American male naming charts until 1955, almost a full 20 years after the publication of “Gone with the Wind” (the name Scarlett first appeared in 1940). Furthermore, Rhett has never been a particularly common name despite his existence on the charts for over 50 years. Since we’ve crossed over the threshold into the 21st century, however, the name is now reaching its highest historic levels on the naming charts. This may have something to do with a renewed interest in names associated with literary significance – still, the name Rhett is not popular by any means and used with only the mildest of moderation. In other words, Rhett is still an uncommon choice for a boy’s name. There’s no doubt about it, the name Rhett is as handsome as the GWTW character. It has a suave and chivalrous southern sensibility, and a striking one-syllable sound. It’s been over 75 years since Rhett Butler made his entrance on to the great American literary stage, so it’s not unfathomable that younger parents don’t even know who he is (which would be a shame). It’s impossible not to fall in love with the character of Rhett Butler just as it’s impossible not to adore his name. Frankly, my dear, you SHOULD give a damn. We “advise” you to reconsider this classic, underused moniker.

Quick Facts

ON RHETT

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Dutch

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

1

RANKING POPULARITY:

425

PRONUNCIATION:

RETT

SIMPLE MEANING:

Advice, counsel

Characteristics

OF RHETT

Authoritative

Powerful

Tough

Tenacious

Wealthy

Problem-solver

Achiever

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Rhett

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME RHETT

Rhett Butler was the hero of Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 classic, Gone With The Wind, and was brilliantly portrayed by Clark Gable in the 1939 movie of the same name. Pick an enhancing adjective – any adjective – and it applies to Rhett. He is at once handsome, dashing, sexy, masterful, confident, gentlemanly, patriotic, brave, swashbuckling, witty, manly and insouciant. Had enough? No, neither have we. He is also a fabulous husband and an adoring father. And poor little Scarlett doesn’t cotton (no pun intended) to all this until it’s too late. And, unfortunately for all of us romantic daydreamers, it is too late. Tomorrow is another day for Scarlett, as she begins to plot to get him back, having finally come to her senses, but it is not another day for Scarlett with Rhett. He is gone. Gone with the wind. And oh! How we mourn his leaving.

Author Donald McCaig received full authorization by the Margaret Mitchell estate to write Rhett Butler’s People, the astonishing and long-awaited novel that parallels the Great American Novel, Gone With The Wind. Twelve years in the making, the publication of Rhett Butler’s People marks a major and historic cultural event. Through the storytelling mastery of award-winning writer Donald McCaig, the life and times of the dashing Rhett Butler unfolds. Through Rhett’s eyes we meet the people who shaped his larger than life personality as it sprang from Margaret Mitchell’s unforgettable pages: Langston Butler, Rhett’s unyielding father; Rosemary his steadfast sister; Tunis Bonneau, Rhett’s best friend and a onetime slave; Belle Watling, the woman for whom Rhett cared long before he met Scarlett O’Hara at Twelve Oaks Plantation, on the fateful eve of the Civil War. Of course there is Scarlett. Katie Scarlett O’Hara, the headstrong, passionate woman whose life is inextricably entwined with Rhett’s: more like him than she cares to admit; more in love with him than she’ll ever know…Brought to vivid and authentic life by the hand of a master, Rhett Butler’s People fulfills the dreams of those whose imaginations have been indelibly marked by Gone With The Wind.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME RHETT

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Rhett


Popular Songs

ON RHETT

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Rhett


Famous People

NAMED RHETT

Rhett Akins (country musician)
Rhett Davies (music producer)
Rhett Lawrence (music producer/songwriter)
Rhett Miller (alternative country musician)
Rhett Warrener (hockey player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED RHETT

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Rhett

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME RHETT

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Rhett