Read is a masculine first name of English origin, derived from the surname Read, itself a variant of the surname Reed. The name ultimately traces back to the Old English word read meaning "red," originally used as a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.The surname Read is a less common spelling variant of Reid and has been used as a given name transferred from the surname. As a first name, it is relatively rare and carries the surname's connotation of the color red.Notable bearers of the surname Read include political and cultural figures, though the given name remains uncommon. Place names such as Read in Lancashire, England, and several townships in the United States derive from the surname. The name also appears in the etymology of Readville, a placename in Massachusetts.The name Read is unconnected to the homophone "read" (meaning to interpret written text), which derives from Old English rǣdan.Key FactsMeaning: Red (from Old English read)Origin: English surname, variant of ReedType: Given name transferred from surnameUsage Regions: English-speaking countries, primarily the United States and United Kingdom