Brendan Boy

Popularity: #744 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BREN-dan //ˈbrɛndən//

Origin: Irish; Latin

Meaning: Irish: 'prince' or 'descendant of Braonán'; Latin: 'sorrow' or 'sadness'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Brendan has its roots in the Old Irish name Bréanainn, which is derived from the word "bréan" meaning "prince" or "king." This name evolved through various forms, including the Latinized version Brendanus, before being adopted into English. The transition into English occurred during the medieval period, particularly through the influence of the Irish monastic tradition and the spread of Christianity in the British Isles, where the name became associated with notable figures such as Saint Brendan the Navigator, a 6th-century Irish monk known for his legendary sea voyages.

Saint Brendan's life and adventures were popularized in the medieval text "Navigatio Sancti Brendani" (The Voyage of Saint Brendan), which recounts his mythical journey across the Atlantic Ocean in search of the Isle of the Blessed. This narrative not only contributed to the name's prominence in Ireland but also sparked interest in exploration and adventure during the Middle Ages.

The name Brendan was further solidified in cultural memory through its association with various saints and its use in hagiographies, which chronicled the lives of holy figures. Throughout history, the name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often symbolizing leadership and nobility.

In addition to its historical significance, Brendan has also been linked to themes of exploration and spirituality, reflecting the adventurous spirit of its most famous bearer. The diminutive form "Bran" has also emerged in some contexts, maintaining a connection to the original name while offering a more informal alternative.

Overall, Brendan's enduring legacy is tied to its rich linguistic heritage and the cultural narratives that have shaped its identity over the centuries.

Famous people named Brendan

In this section, you will find notable people named Brendan. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Brendan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Brendan who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Brendan Fraser is an actor best known for The Mummy, George of the Jungle, and Encino Man.

Brendan Gleeson is an actor best known for In Bruges, Braveheart, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Brendan Coyle is an actor best known for Downton Abbey, The Raven, and The Other Boleyn Girl.

Brendan Schaub is a former mixed martial artist and comedian best known for his podcast The Fighter and The Kid and his stand-up specials.

Fictional characters named Brendan

The following list of fictional characters named Brendan 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.

Brendan Frye is a fictional character from the film Brick. He is a high school student who becomes embroiled in a mystery involving his ex-girlfriend's disappearance.

Brendan the Navigator is a fictional character from the medieval legend of Brendan the Navigator. He is an Irish monk known for his legendary sea voyages in search of the Isle of the Blessed.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Brendan, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AidanCillianDeclanSeamusNiamhSiobhan

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Brendan. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

BrandonBrennanBraydenKieranDarrenEamonFinnianRonan

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Brendan was first seen in the United States in 1912.

Brendan has ranked as high as #175 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)

The name Brendan 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 Brendan 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 Brendan.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 195 195 0
2024 222 222 0
2023 262 262 0
2022 269 269 0
2021 327 327 0
2020 344 344 0
2019 422 422 0
2018 490 490 0
2017 560 560 0
2016 688 688 0
2015 826 826 0
2014 922 922 0
2013 1,009 1,009 0
2012 1,149 1,149 0
2011 1,315 1,315 0
2010 1,527 1,527 0
2009 1,762 1,762 0
2008 1,895 1,887 8
2007 1,927 1,927 0
2006 2,171 2,171 0
2005 2,367 2,360 7
2004 2,736 2,719 17
2003 2,872 2,867 5
2002 3,151 3,141 10
2001 3,350 3,345 5
2000 3,667 3,657 10
1999 4,005 3,995 10
1998 3,889 3,879 10
1997 3,633 3,621 12
1996 2,833 2,817 16
1995 2,703 2,692 11
1994 2,741 2,731 10
1993 2,321 2,302 19
1992 2,311 2,299 12
1991 2,189 2,189 0
1990 2,005 1,996 9
1989 2,159 2,146 13
1988 1,809 1,796 13
1987 1,825 1,808 17
1986 1,417 1,401 16
1985 1,393 1,382 11
1984 1,346 1,332 14
1983 1,283 1,276 7
1982 1,206 1,198 8
1981 1,157 1,157 0
1980 1,113 1,102 11
1979 996 991 5
1978 902 895 7
1977 778 768 10
1976 825 825 0
1975 660 654 6
1974 642 631 11
1973 552 552 0
1972 503 503 0
1971 543 543 0
1970 568 568 0
1969 470 470 0
1968 501 496 5
1967 444 444 0
1966 489 489 0
1965 307 307 0
1964 288 288 0
1963 245 245 0
1962 240 240 0
1961 241 241 0
1960 217 217 0
1959 178 178 0
1958 123 123 0
1957 144 144 0
1956 114 114 0
1955 98 98 0
1954 68 68 0
1953 78 78 0
1952 66 66 0
1951 54 54 0
1950 61 61 0
1949 51 51 0
1948 51 51 0
1947 39 39 0
1946 49 49 0
1945 48 48 0
1944 39 39 0
1943 55 55 0
1942 37 37 0
1941 43 43 0
1940 32 32 0
1939 32 32 0
1938 33 33 0
1937 36 36 0
1936 40 40 0
1935 34 34 0
1934 33 33 0
1933 24 24 0
1932 25 25 0
1931 11 11 0
1930 21 21 0
1929 17 17 0
1928 18 18 0
1927 18 18 0
1926 19 19 0
1925 20 20 0
1924 17 17 0
1923 21 21 0
1922 15 15 0
1921 9 9 0
1920 11 11 0
1919 16 16 0
1918 10 10 0
1917 12 12 0
1916 10 10 0
1915 7 7 0
1914 13 13 0
1913 8 8 0
1912 9 9 0

Top States for Brendan (2024)

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
TX 19
11%
NY 18
10%
NJ 15
9%
IL 14
8%
MA 12
7%
NC 12
7%
CO 11
6%
CA 11
6%
GA 11
6%
PA 10
6%
CT 7
4%
OH 7
4%
FL 7
4%
VA 6
3%
LA 5
3%
AL 5
3%
TN 5
3%