Brennan Unisex

Popularity: #718 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationBREN-uhn / /ˈbrɛnən/

Irish; Gaelic

Meaning

Irish: descendent of Braonán; Gaelic: 'sorrow' or 'sadness'

Historical & Cultural Background

Brennan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Braonáin. It has been used as a given name since the 20th century. The name is associated with various historical figures in Ireland, particularly in the context of Irish clans. It reflects a rich cultural heritage linked to Irish ancestry and identity.

Trend Summary

Brennan has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable rise in the late 20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Brendan
  • Brendon

International Variants

  • Brenan (English)
  • Brenno (Italian)

Famous people named Brennan

Brennan Lee Mulligan is a prominent game master and writer known for his work in tabletop role-playing games.

Brennan Urie is the lead vocalist of the band Panic! At The Disco, recognized for his contributions to the music industry.

Brennan Elliott is a Canadian actor known for his roles in various television series and films.

Brennan Gilmore is an American political activist and musician, noted for his involvement in social justice issues.

Fictional characters named Brennan

Brennan is a character in the television series 'Bones', serving as a forensic anthropologist.

Brennan Huff is a character in the film 'Step Brothers', portrayed as a man-child living with his parents.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Brennan was first seen in the United States in 1916. Brennan has ranked as high as #442 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in California, Louisiana, Texas, Ohio, and Michigan. In the past 5 years the name Brennan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Brennan (2024)

StateBirthsShare
LA 15
9%
TX 13
8%
NY 13
8%
OH 13
8%
CA 8
5%
WA 8
5%
SC 7
4%
GA 7
4%
NC 7
4%
WI 7
4%
KY 6
4%
OR 6
4%
PA 6
4%
AL 6
4%
MA 6
4%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19165
19496
19506
19515
19536
19548
195510
195611
19579
195814
195911
196017
196125
196224
196332
196430
196536
196653
196753
196858
196966
197073
197178
197257
197369
197489
1975102
197699
1977108
1978123
1979136
1980142
1981139
1982152
1983182
1984232
1985253
1986292
1987422
1988460
1989445
1990606
1991698
1992642
1993663
1994756
1995916
1996895
1997967
19981,051
19991,106
20001,158
20011,121
20021,121
20031,127
20041,061
20051,054
20061,116
20071,207
20081,316
20091,464
20101,279
20111,177
20121,011
2013927
2014806
2015690
2016549
2017464
2018382
2019340
2020315
2021265
2022224
2023213
2024207