Find out how popular the first name Brady has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Brady by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Brady is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Brady being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,030 male babies and 40 female babies born with the name Brady.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 40 baby girls were named Brady in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Brady

The name Brady has its origins in the Irish Gaelic language and culture. It is thought to be derived from the Old Irish word "bráth" or "bráid," meaning "battle" or "strife." The name likely emerged during the early medieval period in Ireland, between the 5th and 8th centuries AD.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brady appears in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The Annals mention a man named "Máel Brigte hua Bráduighe" who died in the year 1022 AD. This name translates to "Máel Brigte grandson of Brady."

In ancient Irish mythology, there is a figure named Bráde, who is described as a warrior and chieftain. This character appears in the Ulster Cycle of myths and may have influenced the development of the name Brady.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Brady. One of the earliest was Brady O'Donnell, an Irish chieftain who lived in the late 16th century. He led the O'Donnell clan and fought against English forces during the Nine Years' War in Ireland.

Another famous bearer of the name was Matthew Brady (1823-1896), an American photographer renowned for his documentation of the American Civil War. His photographs provided a visual record of the conflict and its impact on the nation.

In the field of science, Samuel Brady (1756-1795) was an American frontiersman and Revolutionary War soldier known for his exploits in the Ohio Country during the late 18th century. He was celebrated for his bravery and survival skills in the wilderness.

Sir Nicholas Brady (1659-1726) was an English politician and banker who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1720. He played a significant role in the financial affairs of the city during the early 18th century.

Finally, Mathew B. Brady (1823-1896) was a renowned American photographer best known for his documentation of the American Civil War. His photographs provided a visual record of the conflict and its impact on the nation, and he is considered one of the most influential photographers in American history.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Brady, a name with deep roots in Irish Gaelic culture and language, reflecting a connection to battle, strife, and warrior traditions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Brady was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Brady, please contact us.

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