Brave Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BRAYV //breɪv//
Origin: English; Old French
Meaning: brave, courageous (English); bold, valiant (Old French)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name "Brave" is derived from the Old French word "brave," which means "courageous" or "bold." This term itself can be traced back to the Latin word "bravus," meaning "wild" or "untamed," which evolved into the sense of being bold or valiant. The transition from Latin to Old French occurred during the medieval period, particularly as the Norman Conquest in the 11th century facilitated the integration of French vocabulary into the English language.
The term was adopted into Middle English, retaining its connotation of courage and valor, and has been used in various contexts to denote bravery in both literal and metaphorical senses. Historically, the concept of bravery has been significant in various cultures and literatures.
In medieval literature, knights were often celebrated for their bravery in battle, a theme that permeated works such as the Arthurian legends. The term "brave" also appears in significant religious texts, including translations of the Bible, where it is used to describe the valor of figures such as David, who faced Goliath with courage.
The use of the word in English literature can be traced back to the 14th century, where it was employed to describe heroic qualities in characters. Culturally, bravery has been a valued trait across many societies, symbolizing strength, honor, and resilience.
In various traditions, the notion of being brave is often associated with rites of passage, where individuals are expected to demonstrate courage in the face of adversity. The name "Brave" encapsulates these ideals, serving as a reminder of the importance of courage in human experience.
While there are no widely recognized diminutive forms of the name, its essence continues to resonate in narratives that celebrate heroism and fortitude.
Fictional characters named Brave
The following list of fictional characters named Brave is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Brave is a fictional character from the animated film Brave. She is a strong-willed princess who defies tradition to forge her own path and seeks to change her fate.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Brave, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Brave was first seen in the United States in 2008.
Brave has ranked as high as #4174 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Brave has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Brave is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Brave was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Brave.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 46 | 37 | 9 |
| 2024 | 46 | 36 | 10 |
| 2023 | 69 | 53 | 16 |
| 2022 | 79 | 54 | 25 |
| 2021 | 69 | 53 | 16 |
| 2020 | 72 | 51 | 21 |
| 2019 | 60 | 41 | 19 |
| 2018 | 47 | 33 | 14 |
| 2017 | 25 | 18 | 7 |
| 2016 | 35 | 30 | 5 |
| 2015 | 40 | 22 | 18 |
| 2014 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2013 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2012 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2011 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2010 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2009 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2008 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
Top States for Brave (2023)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 10 | |
| TX | 7 |