Save Type Surname (from nickname) Usage English Pronounced Pron. BAR-it, BEHR-it [key·IPA] Meaning & History Probably derived from the Middle English word barat meaning "trouble, deception", originally given to a quarrelsome person. Related NamesDetails VariantBarretGiven Name DescendantBarrett(English) Categories boxers, brand names, conflict, cornetists, drummers, guitarists, negative, nicknames, noise, Pink Floyd characters, rock singers, rugby union All Blacks, secrets, Virtua Tennis opponent characters