Of Dutch origin.
From the word “raet” meaning “counsel” or “advice”.
The name was initially brought to North America and used as a surname. It is associated with the Dutch “de Raedt”.
Author Margaret Mitchell gave the name to the main male character of her 1936 novel “Gone with the wind”. In the 1939 film adaptation, Rhett Butler was played by Clark Gable.
The name is ranked #180 according to the U.S.A. Social Security name popularity list.
Famous bearers are Rhett Akins, Rhett Lawrence.