Brendan Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationBREN-dan / /ˈbrɛndən/Irish; Latin
Meaning
Irish: 'prince' or 'descendant of Braonán'; Latin: 'sorrow' or 'sadness'
Historical & Cultural Background
Brendan is derived from the Irish name Bréanainn, which is associated with Saint Brendan, a 6th-century Irish monk known for his legendary sea voyages. The name has been popular in Ireland and among Irish communities worldwide. It has also been adopted in various forms in other cultures, reflecting its historical significance.
Trend Summary
Brendan has experienced fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the 1970s and 1980s.
Similar Names
Variants
- Brenden
- Brandon
International Variants
- Brendan (Irish)
- Brendano (Italian)
- Brendán (Irish)
Famous people named Brendan
Brendan Gleeson is an Irish actor known for his roles in films such as 'In Bruges' and 'Harry Potter'.
Brendan Fraser is a Canadian-American actor recognized for his performances in 'The Mummy' series and 'George of the Jungle'.
Brendan Shanahan is a former professional ice hockey player and current president of hockey operations for the Detroit Red Wings.
Brendan O'Carroll is an Irish actor and writer, best known for creating and starring in the sitcom 'Mrs. Brown's Boys'.
Fictional characters named Brendan
Brendan is a character in the animated film 'The Secret of Kells', where he embarks on a quest to complete a magical book.
Brendan 'Bren' McMahon is a character in the video game series 'The Last of Us', known for his survival skills.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Brendan was first seen in the United States in 1912. Brendan has ranked as high as #173 nationally, which occurred in 1999, and has been most popular in New York, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. In the past 5 years the name Brendan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Brendan (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 19 | |
| NY | 18 | |
| IL | 14 | |
| MA | 12 | |
| NC | 12 | |
| CA | 11 | |
| GA | 11 | |
| PA | 10 | |
| CT | 7 | |
| OH | 7 | |
| FL | 7 | |
| VA | 6 | |
| LA | 5 | |
| AL | 5 | |
| TN | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1912 | 9 |
| 1913 | 8 |
| 1914 | 13 |
| 1915 | 7 |
| 1916 | 10 |
| 1917 | 12 |
| 1918 | 10 |
| 1919 | 16 |
| 1920 | 11 |
| 1921 | 9 |
| 1922 | 15 |
| 1923 | 21 |
| 1924 | 17 |
| 1925 | 20 |
| 1926 | 19 |
| 1927 | 18 |
| 1928 | 18 |
| 1929 | 17 |
| 1930 | 21 |
| 1931 | 11 |
| 1932 | 25 |
| 1933 | 24 |
| 1934 | 33 |
| 1935 | 34 |
| 1936 | 40 |
| 1937 | 36 |
| 1938 | 33 |
| 1939 | 32 |
| 1940 | 32 |
| 1941 | 43 |
| 1942 | 37 |
| 1943 | 55 |
| 1944 | 39 |
| 1945 | 48 |
| 1946 | 49 |
| 1947 | 39 |
| 1948 | 51 |
| 1949 | 51 |
| 1950 | 61 |
| 1951 | 54 |
| 1952 | 66 |
| 1953 | 78 |
| 1954 | 68 |
| 1955 | 98 |
| 1956 | 114 |
| 1957 | 144 |
| 1958 | 123 |
| 1959 | 178 |
| 1960 | 217 |
| 1961 | 241 |
| 1962 | 240 |
| 1963 | 245 |
| 1964 | 288 |
| 1965 | 307 |
| 1966 | 489 |
| 1967 | 444 |
| 1968 | 496 |
| 1969 | 470 |
| 1970 | 568 |
| 1971 | 543 |
| 1972 | 503 |
| 1973 | 552 |
| 1974 | 631 |
| 1975 | 654 |
| 1976 | 826 |
| 1977 | 768 |
| 1978 | 895 |
| 1979 | 991 |
| 1980 | 1,102 |
| 1981 | 1,158 |
| 1982 | 1,198 |
| 1983 | 1,276 |
| 1984 | 1,332 |
| 1985 | 1,384 |
| 1986 | 1,401 |
| 1987 | 1,808 |
| 1988 | 1,796 |
| 1989 | 2,146 |
| 1990 | 1,996 |
| 1991 | 2,189 |
| 1992 | 2,298 |
| 1993 | 2,302 |
| 1994 | 2,730 |
| 1995 | 2,691 |
| 1996 | 2,812 |
| 1997 | 3,621 |
| 1998 | 3,878 |
| 1999 | 3,994 |
| 2000 | 3,657 |
| 2001 | 3,345 |
| 2002 | 3,141 |
| 2003 | 2,867 |
| 2004 | 2,719 |
| 2005 | 2,360 |
| 2006 | 2,171 |
| 2007 | 1,927 |
| 2008 | 1,887 |
| 2009 | 1,762 |
| 2010 | 1,527 |
| 2011 | 1,315 |
| 2012 | 1,149 |
| 2013 | 1,009 |
| 2014 | 922 |
| 2015 | 825 |
| 2016 | 688 |
| 2017 | 560 |
| 2018 | 490 |
| 2019 | 422 |
| 2020 | 343 |
| 2021 | 327 |
| 2022 | 269 |
| 2023 | 262 |
| 2024 | 221 |