Brendan
Brendan is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Prince or king.
Origin and history
Brendan is a masculine name of Irish Gaelic origin, derived from Old Irish 'Brénainn', which was adapted from an Old Welsh word meaning 'prince' or 'king'. It became widely popular due to Saint Brendan the Navigator, a famous 6th-century Irish monk. In the United States, Brendan was particularly popular during the late 20th century and remains a familiar classic name today.
Popularity in the United States
91,816 babies in the United States have been named Brendan since 1880. It ranks #331 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #819.
States where it is most popular
- NY (12.8 %)
- CA (8.9 %)
- MA (8.5 %)
- PA (6.1 %)
- MI (6.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 85 |
| 1920-1930 | 165 |
| 1930-1940 | 289 |
| 1940-1950 | 444 |
| 1950-1960 | 984 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,437 |
| 1970-1980 | 6,930 |
| 1980-1990 | 14,598 |
| 1990-2000 | 28,521 |
| 2000-2010 | 25,836 |
| 2010-2019 | 8,908 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,619 |
Famous people named Brendan
- Brendan Fraser: Actor
- Brendan Gleeson: Actor
- Brendan Rodgers: Football Manager, Athlete
Nicknames
Bren, Brenny
Fun facts
- Although considered a quintessential Irish name, its root 'Brénainn' originally comes from the Old Welsh word 'breenhin', meaning prince.
- Saint Brendan's legendary 6th-century sea voyage led to folklore claims that Irish monks reached North America centuries before Columbus.