The surname Breytenbach originates from Germany. Notable people with the name include:
- Anna Breytenbach (born 1968), South African animal activist and public speaker
- Breyten Breytenbach (1939–2024), South African writer, poet, and painter
- Coenraad Breytenbach (born 1970), South African rugby union and rugby league footballer
- Glynnis Breytenbach (fl. 2014), former prosecutor for the National Prosecuting Authority
- Jan Breytenbach (1932–2024), South African Special Forces military officer and author of military books
- Joe Breytenbach (born 1983), South African rugby union player
- Johan Hendrik Breytenbach (1917-1994), official South African state historian for the Second Boer War
- Martin Breytenbach (fl. 2000–2019), South African Anglican bishop
- Nadja Breytenbach (born 1995), Namibian model and Miss Namibia 2019
- Pierre Breytenbach (born 1976), South African actor and comic