Brenda
Brenda is a girl's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
Sword or firebrand.
Origin and history
Brenda is derived from the Old Norse word brandr, meaning 'sword' or 'firebrand'. It gained widespread popularity in Gaelic-speaking regions before becoming a classic favorite in the United States during the mid-20th century. Although less commonly given to newborns today, it remains a familiar traditional name.
Popularity in the United States
608,478 babies in the United States have been named Brenda since 1880. It ranks #43 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1153.
States where it is most popular
- CA (8 %)
- TX (7.7 %)
- NC (5 %)
- OH (4.7 %)
- NY (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 7 |
| 1900-1910 | 32 |
| 1910-1920 | 180 |
| 1920-1930 | 469 |
| 1930-1940 | 4,380 |
| 1940-1950 | 112,415 |
| 1950-1960 | 209,241 |
| 1960-1970 | 164,502 |
| 1970-1980 | 48,591 |
| 1980-1990 | 24,147 |
| 1990-2000 | 24,929 |
| 2000-2010 | 14,348 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,142 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,095 |
Famous people named Brenda
- Brenda Lee: Singer, Musician
- Brenda Blethyn: Actress
- Brenda Fricker: Actress
Nicknames
Bren, Brenny
Fun facts
- The name originated from Old Norse settlers in Britain and Ireland, where 'brandr' referred to a burning blade or sword.
- Brenda became exceptionally popular in the U.S. during the 1940s and 1950s, consistently ranking among the top female names.